Filipina Soul

The chief of the U.S. Peace Corps, Ronald Tschetter, has arrived in the Philippines to personally get involved in the search for missing volunteer Julia Campbell. Campbell has been missing for more than a week near the Ifugao rice terraces in Batad.

The US embassy said Tschetter would meet with people involved in the search for Campbell in Ifugao to ‘learn about the efforts being made and express his gratitude for their assistance.’

Police, US embassy personnel, army troops, local travel guides and local officials have been combing the forests and hiking trails for Campbell since late last week, but the teams have not yet found any clue on her whereabouts.

I’ve hiked once before to the famed rice terraces, and have found that the areas not given over to agriculture and human habitation are composed of wild terrain. According to WOW Philippines, “the Batad rice teraces can be reached by a 12-kilometer ride from Banaue Hotel and a 2-hour hike uphill through mountain trails.” The beauty of the terraces masks the dangers involved in getting there. Steep cliffs and overgrown forests make getting lost easy. I know, since I and the small group I was with actually got lost looking for the Batad terraces. Luckily for us, we realized that we were on the wrong track and were able to get back to the main road.

I do hope Ms. Campbell is found safe soon.

via Monsters and Critics

Tags: Batad rice terraces, Banaue rice terraces, missing Peace Corps volunteer

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