4 Czechs stopped at cop checkpoint in Isabela town

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Amid sightings of three foreigners tagging along with communist rebels in a remote Isabela village, four Czech nationals were stopped at a police checkpoint in a Isabela town at the foothills of the Sierra Madre last Monday morning.

Police reports said the Czech nationals, identified as David Novotmy, 30; Jitka Vitkova, 24; Pavel Riha, 30; and Tereza Vlasata, 24, were aboard a passenger jeepney when they were flagged down at a checkpoint in San Mariano town. 

The group reportedly came from a six-day mountain trek in Palanan town and was already approaching Benito Soliven town aboard the jeepney driven by one Iping Libauan, 40, when they were flagged down.

Senior Superintendent Franklin Mabanag, Isabela police director, said the four foreigners, who introduced themselves as tourists who went to the area for sightseeing and mountain trekking, were later released after their identities were verified. – Charlie Lagasca, Raymund Catindig