7 dead in Nueva Vizcaya landslide

Seven members of the Hukhukyong Calvary Pentecostal Church were buried alive in a landslide that struck Barangay Labang in Ambaguio town, Nueva Vizcaya, at 11 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17, (Photo courtesy of MDRRMO Ambaguio)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Seven members of the Hukhukyong Calvary Pentecostal Church tragically died when a landslide struck their home in Barangay Labang in Ambaguio town, Nueva Vizcaya, before midnight on Sunday, officials confirmed on Monday.

The victims were staying with their family head, Celo Calanhi, a village watchman, who was assisting in preemptive evacuation efforts for the community, said Kevin Mariano, the Ambaguio Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer.

Mariano said the group was helping to move residents to safer areas — a local school and daycare center — when the disaster struck at 11 p.m. at the height of Super Typhoon Pepito (Man-yi).

Calanhi, his wife, and their baby managed to escape unscathed. However, his three other children and four relatives were buried underneath the landslide.

Rescuers launched a search and retrieval operation and later recovered the victims’ remains, which were brought to a funeral home.

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Assistance is being provided to the survivors and the bereaved family, Mariano said. INQ