Search-and-rescue ops continue in Compostela Valley village—PNP

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Search and rescue operations continue in the landslide-hit sub-village in Compostela Valley Friday evening, a police spokesman said.

Citing reports from Region 11 police, Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz said that authorities continued to search for victims of the landslide that devastated Sitio (sub-village) Panganason in Kingking village, Pantukan, Compostela Valley around 2:30 a.m. on Good Friday.

A National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (NDRRMC) report identified a 15-year-old miner killed in the landslide as Jun Rex Torrejos. The report said the army have recovered two more bodies aside from Torrejos’ and were still unidentified.

Eight persons were injured and taken to Pantukan Emergency Hospital and Davao Medical Center, said the NDRRMC. It stated that the exact number of missing persons was yet to be determined by the army.

Still quoting reports from provincial police, Cruz identified some of the missing persons as Enand Celestial, Bobil Celestial, Cristituto Torrejos Sr., Cristituto Torrejos Jr., an alias Dennis, Andy Lapitas, Junel Lapitas, Vincent Lapitas, Jerico Caingoy, Alvin Caingoy, Noe Caingoy, an alias Bitoy, an alias Jong-Jong, an alias Jun-Jun, an alias Erning, Jay Omega, Berto Inay, Marjun Cuilab, Brendo Dani, Relieto Tabag, and Marvin Anglai.

Search and rescue team members rushed Rebecca Recaplaza and Mike Sarit to the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City to be treated for injuries, said Cruz. He added that a certain Joel Lapales and Jonathan Belan were rescued, unharmed.

Cruz said joint search and rescue efforts by the army, Compostela Valley police and the local government unit of Compostela Valley are ongoing.