LIMAY, Bataan – Three young girls reported missing Friday were found in an inhabited mountain Sunday living off river shells, cassava and other food crops.
Rescuers, led by Senior Inspector Melanio Santiago, the town’s police chief, stumbled into an abandoned nipa hut where the girls camped for two nights.
About 20 rescuers, including watchmen and medical personnel of Barangay Lamao, set out at dawn for the search and rescue accompanied by a local guide. They reached the nipa hut after walking for four hours.
The girls, identified as Fhemedee Mangiliman, 9; Mary Cris Escalera, 10, and Rose dela Pena, 9, appeared in good health, according to Senior Superintendent Marcelo Dayag.
They are daughters of farmers who reside in Carbonsite, Limay.
The mountain, named Ariada is adjacent to Mt. Natib. It is home to a diverse wildlife, including wild boars and deer.
Also a watershed, the mountain is virtually untouched save for a few who hunt for edible frogs as large as a volleyball.
According to relatives, the girls left for the mountain after class to take a dip in the crystal clear waters of the river.
As dusk fell, the girls failed to retrace their path and walked aimlessly until they discovered the nipa hut, believed used by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels years ago.
Fortunately, there were pots in the hut which the girls used to cook their food. They drank water from the river.
Escalera, the eldest among the three, said they were not afraid.
“Nanguha po kami ng mga suso, paco at kamoteng kahoy na syang niluluto namin na pagkain; Di naman kami natakot maski madilim dahil masarap sa ilog. Natatakot na rin kaming umuwi dahil pagagalitan kami ng magulang namin,” Escalera said.
Apparently, the hut is now used by a man they addressed as Lolo Boy who came to visit on Saturday.
“Nagtago po kami kaya hindi kami nakita ni Lolo Boy, nung makaalis ay sumilong ulit kami sa kubo kubo nya at doon kami nagluluto. may napulot kaming posporo na syang ginagamit namin dahil may kaldero doon sa kubo,” said Escalera.
She said they used the river to wash their clothes.
Meanwhile, the girls’ relatives sought the help of Manila Bulletin and the police.
Aside from Santiago, the rescue team was also composed of Senior Inspector Alfredo Solomon, deputy force commander of 2nd Police Mobile Force company and Nimfa Bacon, president of the Medical Site Carbonsite in Barangay Lamao.
They were joined by nervous parents and relatives of the minors.
Dayag said the minors together with their parents were brought to the police station for interview before the girls are transferred to Limay social welfare for counseling. (Mar Supnad)