Landslide buries 4 people dead in Compostela Valley

Update

DAVAO CITY – At least four people – two of them children – died during a landslide that struck Maragusan, Compostela Valley on Sunday evening, a report from the provincial disaster risk reduction management office said Monday.

The bodies of all the victims were recovered underneath debris and mud – two hours after the 8:30 p.m. slide that hit Barangay Tandik, the report added.

Senior Supt. Marvin Pepino, the Compostela Valley police chief, identified the victims as Rowena Sajulan, 22; and siblings Raymond, 19, Hazzel, 3, and Joey, one-year old, all surnamed Magallanes.

The victims were inside their home when mud and debris came crashing down on them in Purok Bulawanon, Pepino said.

Village officials and watchmen, according to Pepino, conducted search and rescue operation and pulled Rowena’s brother, Alvin, 11, alive as well as the bodies of the dead victims.

The landslide occurred as Compostela Valley and many parts of Mindanao – which were still trying to recover from the effects of Severe Tropical Storm “Vinta” – experienced moderate to heavy rains starting Sunday morning.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the rains were brought about by the tail-end of a cold front and as early as Sunday, already raised the possibilities of floods and slides in some Mindanao areas.

The state weather bureau advised local disaster response officials and people living near mountain slopes to be alert.

Authorities in six municipalities in Compostela Valley have declared suspension of classes due to the prevailing inclement weather over Mindanao.

Raul Villocino, the provincial disaster action officer, said the towns of Monkayo, Compostela, Montevista, New Bataan, Nabunturan and Mawab had no classes at all levels in public and private schools starting Monday.

The cancellation of classes was ordered due to the continuous rainshowers and thunderstorms in Davao region brought about by the tail-end of a cold front blowing over Mindanao and Visayas, Franz Irag, spokesperson of the Office of Civil Defense in the Davao region, said.

As of Monday morning, knee-deep floods were being reported in the villages of Basak, Magsaysay, New Dauis and Magading in Nabunturan town and several individuals had sought refuge in the villages’ centers.

In Monkayo town, the water level at the Babag Monkayo Bridge already went down, the PDRRMO report said, but the water level underneath the bridge that connected the border town of Montevista to nearby Agusan province had increased from 238 centimeters to 266 centimeters in just eight hours from 1 a.m. Monday.

In Davao del Norte, disaster authorities said they were also closely monitoring the Saug and Liboganon rivers for possible flooding which could threaten low-lying and rice-producing towns of Kapalong, Carmen, Asuncion and New Corella. /kga