The search is over after 28-year-old Norberto Rosario was missing for nearly 24 hours. He was found this morning alive and well down a cliffside in the Tanguisson area.

“I’m glad I found my friend,” expressed Alan Pinkine, Rosario’s best friend. 

Guam Fire Lt. Nick Garrido said two volunteers and rescue personnel were able to locate Rosario at 9:54 a.m. 

“He is alert and oriented. He does have some scratches and possibly requires some further medical attention, however he is generally alive and well,” said Garrido. 

His close friend Alan Pinkine recounted how Rosario suddenly disappeared midday on Monday while surveying the land with two coworkers for private civil engineering company Duenas Camacho & Associates.

“They walked 300 feet in and Norberto was 10 feet behind them. According to GFD and the sister, they turned back and he was nowhere to be found. Norberto was gone. For two hours they were trying to search for him until they called 911,” said Pinkine.

Lt. Garrido said after first responders got the call for help, an hours-long full scale search and rescue operation was underway.

“With the assistance of the [Navy’s] HSC25, United States Coast Guard, as well as the Guam International Airport Authority K-9 unit. Additionally we had multiple volunteers to assist,” said Garrido.   

Still Rosario was nowhere to be found. 

The search was suspended at midnight and resumed early Tuesday morning at daybreak. 

“While along the cliff line, they were basically shouting his name and then we were able to confirm, he was able to respond back,” said Garrido.

It was a true community effort with dozens of volunteers coming together to search for the John F. Kennedy alumnus and jiu jitsu black belt.  

“I started searching with these guys. I called all the boys. I was able to get a hold of some of the jiu jitsu guys and they spread the word,” said Pinkine. 

By 1:45 p.m., rescue personnel and volunteers safely brought Rosario up the cliff and paramedics transferred Rosario to the hospital. 

As to the lingering question of how he went missing and stayed hidden, Pinkine said Rosario was surveying the same area Saturday when he was pinched in the arm. 

“The Taotaomona probably brought him all the way down to where he got pinched at. So the helicopters that were out here last night and the drones with the infrared didn’t see nothing,” said Pinkine. 

He believes it's a lesson learned to always ask permission before going into the jungle. 

“Just ask permission, apologize if you do something. Try not to break any branches unless you have to and watch where you’re stepping. There could be latte stones or artifacts,” added Pinkine.