4 hurt in Bukidnon landslides

CAGAYAN DE ORO City, Philippines—Rains since Friday caused several landslides in the towns of Quezon and Kitaotao in Bukidnon on Saturday night, injuring four persons and damaging two nipa huts.

Officials said that although there were no reported casualties, four persons were injured when two houses were damaged by the landslide in Sitio (settlement of) Maloos, Barangay (village) Sinuda in Kitaotao town.

Kitaotao mayor Rodito Rafisura said the roads from Davao to Maloos were impassable, as of Sunday. He advised commuters to steer clear of the area as the continuing rains might bring about more landslides.

The office of the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator estimated the damage in agriculture at P250,000 in the village of Minalog.

Rafisura also said heavy equipment were sent to Barangay Minalog for road clearing. He said the roads would be cleared by Monday afternoon, if weather improved.

Rocky Lakubai, Barangay Sinuda councilor, said that the landslide in Maloos occurred at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The landslides in Quezon and Kitaotao were considered “minor” compared with recent incidents.

Workers from the Department of Public Works and Highways and military personnel from the 8th Infantry Battalion have gone to the landslide sites to assess the damage.