Rescuers carry the body of Ryan “Dano” Lasamareñas from the landslide in Sagñay, Camarines Sur. Photo from Christian Verdan
NAGA CITY – A man was killed in a landslide that hit a major road network in Sagñay town in Camarines Sur early Thursday morning, the province’s Environment Disaster Management Emergency Response Office (Edmero) reported.
Edmero head Lucena Bermeo said four landslides occurred in Sagñay due to incessant rains brought about by tropical depression “Ramil”, and that the landslide that happened in Barangay (village) Sibaguan killed Ryan “Dano” Lasamareñas, 32; and wounded another person.
Bermeo said Lasamareñas was found by rescuers still wrapped in a blanket beneath earth debris that wrecked their house.
Christian Verdan, a resident of the village, said Lasamareñas’ companion at home, identified as Felipe Olaño, 85, was able to run out of the house when he heard the roaring sound before the chunk of soil struck their house. Olaño was unhurt.
Bermeo said Barangay Sibaguan is located along the coastal road that hugged the mountain going from Sagñay town in Camarines Sur to Tiwi town in Albay.
She said one Cristy Bantal, 19, of Sitio (sub-village) Odingan in Barangay Turague, also in Sagñay town, suffered minor injury and was brought to the hospital after a separate landslide occurred in the area.
Bermeo said two landslides happened in Barangay Sibaguan and two more occurred in Barangays Turague and Bongalon.
She also reported that on Wednesday, seven barangays in Baao town; two barangays in Garchitorena; four barangays in Lagonoy; and one barangay each in Iriga City and Caramoan were flooded.
Lucy Castañeda, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bicol spokesperson, said the landslide rendered the road along Sagñay-Tiwi, Albay boundary at Barangay Sibaguan and Bongalon not passable to all types of vehicles.
Castañeda said equipment and personnel are already deployed at the site for clearing operations by the DPWH Camarines Sur 3rd District Engineering office. /kga