Missing French national found at Barlig forest cliff

BARLIG, Mountain Province -- After eight days of having gone missing in the wilderness, here, French tourist Jacques Francioly, 70 was found alive here Wednesday.

He is now recuperating at the Luis Hora Memorial Hospital where he was taken after his 1-week ordeal after he was found very weak fighting for his life near a ravine.

His rescue was through joint efforts of Barlig local government headed by Mayor Clark C. Ngaya, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, barangay officials, Barlig police, Barlig Environmental Tour Guides Organization and civilian volunteers. 

A police report said on Jan. 21 at about 9:45 p.m., Edelwina Pakurao Manonggit, manager of Halfway Inn and Restaurant at Barangay Gawana reported to Barlig police station Francioli checked in on Jan. 13 around 8:30 a.m.,

Francioli reportedly left telling hotel personnel Juliet Chongael he will go sight-seeing within the municipality.

He told her he will pay his bills, meals and lodging in a one-time payment.

However, after many days, they noticed Francioli did not go back to his room.

Manonggit said when they peeped into his room window, which was open, they noticed a cell phone charger still plugged in with some of his personal belongings still inside. 

Janssen C. Focad, tourism officer of Barlig told police on the night of Jan. 13, her husband, Ralph Focad, a tourist guide with other guides talked to Jacques asking if he will go hiking so they will guide him.

However, the latter said he will go alone saying he won’t hike and that at any time, he will be going to adjacent Natonin town.

On Wednesday (Jan. 22)  at about 8:20 a.m., Lt. Morris P. Nay-osan, Barlig police chief, briefed tour guides at the tourism office before going to Mt. Paranchuy in Barangay Latanag to look for Francioli.

At 8:40 a.m., the team led by Lt. Carlito Salimbuat Ateneo under supervision of Lt. Nay-osan went to Mt. Paranchuy towards the route going to Pula, Banaue, Ifugao.

Other rescuers went to Sitio Ammiw and Sitio Sicling of Latang.

At about 10 a.m., Nay-osan with Mayor Ngaya, BFP and MDRRMC personnel, SB committee chairman on peace and order and some barangay chairmen convened inside the police office to discuss search operations.

It was agreed emergency medical staff Jim A. Kinomon will coordinate with personnel of the 77th IB, Lunas Patrol Base, Lunas, Barlig to inform them of the ongoing search for Francioli.

At 12:25 p.m. Lt. Col. William B. Willy, chief of the Provincial Intelligence Branch, Mountain Province Police Provincial Office, arrived and joined the emergency meeting.

He reminded the body on security and precautionary measures. 

But at 3 p.m., Shadrack Cablog, one of tourist guides who joined the search operations called the tourism officer of this municipality through cell phone they found Jacques at a ravine at Sitio Sikling, Barangay Latang.

He said Jacques was very weak and in need of immediate medical attention.

Rescue teams were informed of the location of the victim and were advised to go there.  

Personnel of Barlig police with the MDRRMO, BFP and other civilian volunteers went to said area to transport the victim.

At 8 p.m., the search team arrived at the village proper and Francioli was rushed to the Barlig District Hospital.

The victim was put under medication at the said hospital and later transferred to Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital for further medication.

Police and local officials cited those who joined the search operations “The success of the SARO would not have been realized without our cooperation and unity. Likewise, this is to remind all tourists visiting Barlig to please adhere strictly to rules and policies as it is for your safety,” a police press statement said.