Search for 2 missing in Bukidnon landslide suspended

The collapsed section of the Bukidnon-Davao road in Quezon town. Photo from LGU Quezon

QUEZON, Bukidnon — Search and retrieval operations continued on Sunday for a missing couple who were swept into a deep ravine when a massive landslide on Saturday evening led to a collapse of a section of the Bukidnon–Davao road in Sitio Kipolot, Barangay Palacapao here.

Quezon Mayor Pablo Lorenzo II, who inspected the site on Sunday, said search operations were temporarily halted on Saturday night due to darkness and safety concerns but resumed early Sunday morning.

He ordered its suspension as night fell on Sunday, to resume on Monday morning.

READ: DPWH mobilizes teams to assess collapsed Bukidnon–Davao City road

Authorities identified the missing couple as Ely and Thelma Ubatay, residents of Purok 9, Barangay Kahusayan, Kitaotao town, Bukidnon.

They were reportedly on their way home aboard their tricycle, locally known as bao-bao, when the road gave way at around 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, sending their vehicle plunging into the ravine.

Their vehicle and some personal belongings were found down the cliff, among the debris of mud and rocks.

Reinforcements from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and responders from Valencia City, Maramag, and nearby towns joined the retrieval and clearing efforts.

The landslide area is popularly known to tourists and travelers as “Overview” for the viewing decks established along the stretch of zigzag turns.

Due to the incident, vehicular traffic along the vital link between the Northern Mindanao and Davao regions had to be diverted to alternate routes that require a much longer travel. /mr