2 perish in Malabuyoc town landslide

This satellite photo released by Pagasa mid-Tuesday morning, Jan. 2, 2018, shows tropical depression ‘Agaton’ somewhere west of Negros Island in the Visayas. PAGASA IMAGE

CEBU CITY—Two persons were killed during a landslide that hit Barangays Sto. Niño and Looc in Malabuyoc town, southern Cebu following heavy rain triggered by tropical depression “Agaton” on Tuesday.

The victims were identified as Ritchel Pimentel of Barangay Sto. Niño and Flora Matas of Barangay Looc.

According to Baltazar Tribunalo, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Pimentel rushed out of his house when a mass of earth cascaded down the mountains about 3 a.m.

However, during his haste, Pimentel slipped and fell into the cliff. He was brought to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival by physicians.

In the case of Matas, she failed to flee to safety when the landslide covered a portion of her house, said Tribunalo.

The official said the municipal disaster team had advised Matas to evacuate at the heaight of heavy rain, but she refused to leave her house. /jpv

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