Search ends as last missing person found

CEBU, Philippines — After twelve days of anguish, sleepless nights, and prayers, Cebuanos received what many called a merciful gift on the Feast of the Sto. Niño itself, the culminating day of the Sinulog Festival.

At 5:41 a.m. on January 18, 2026, rescuers recovered the last missing body from the massive garbage slide in Barangay Binaliw, this city, punctuating the death toll at 36.

The collapse of the landfill, operated by Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc., claimed 36 lives, making it the deadliest landfill disaster in the Philippines in recent years and second only to the infamous Payatas tragedy of July 2000 in Quezon City, where more than 200 people perished when a mountain of garbage collapsed.

The Binaliw incident took place late afternoon of January 8, when tons of garbage collapsed into the MRF facility there, burying the building and the workers inside it.

Rescue teams led by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office led by retired fire marshal Aderson Comar immediately rushed to the site, braving unstable terrain, the stench of decay, dangerous gas emission, and intermittent rains.

Initially, many were rescued as injured survivors. But day after day, bodies were retrieved from the rubble, with the most devastating toll recorded on day 7, when seven victims were found.

By the end of the operation, all 36 missing persons had been accounted for, 14 survivors had been discharged, and four are still confined to hospitals.

Globally, catastrophic landfill slides are rarely recorded, underscoring the exceptional scale of the tragedy.

Beyond Payatas, few incidents of similar magnitude have been documented abroad, making Binaliw one of the most significant landfill disasters worldwide.

Initial investigation suggests that the collapse was caused by a combination of slope instability due to accumulated garbage, compounded by recent rains and seismic activity.

The landfill had only been under its current management since 2023, raising questions about whether safety measures were fully in place.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered the immediate shutdown of the facility and will spearhead the investigation.

Through the days of the missing, hope never fades

With each passing day that the missing remain unrecovered beneath the landslide, grief hangs heavier in the air, yet the Mayor and the rescuers press on—trash-stained, sleepless, and unbroken—clinging to the fragile but fierce hope that somewhere below, life is still breathing and waiting to be found.

On January 13, Mayor Archival announced that specialized equipment from Apex Mining had detected “signs of life” beneath the rubble. This fueled optimism that survivors might still be found, keeping the operation in rescue mode beyond the usual 72-hour window.

Even on the final day, officials clung to the hope of a miracle, praying that the last missing person might be alive. Sadly, the recovery confirmed another fatality, whose body was found in Quadrant A.

Archival, visibly emotional, yet called the final recovery “an answered prayer.”

In an interview with The Freeman, he admitted the immense pressure he felt throughout the ordeal, especially from grieving families who waited day and night at the site, carrying the slimmest of hope imaginable.

“Nalipay kaayo ko in the sense nga usa ni sa atong gipangayo during the fluvial parade … nga makit-an na ang last person nga gipangita. Grabe ang pressure nako gikan sa mga ginikanan, mga taga tagtungod, sa public kay hinay, unya karon nakit-an na at this very day, maong nalipay kaayo ko … nahuwasan, naibtan ko’g tunok,” he said.

Although he had hoped that until the very end someone might still be alive, he acknowledged that closure itself was a blessing.

“It still is an answered prayer … that is correct. Ang kuyawan nako’ng di makit-an ba … maproblema ta kay naa ang tanang tagnungod didto naghuwat,” he added. Archival said that in the next two days, clearing operations would begin, equipment would be pulled out, and investigations may follow.

The collapse coincided with the Sinulog 2026, sparking debate over whether festivities should continue amid mourning.

Critics questioned the city government and organizers for pushing through, but Archbishop Emeritus Jose Palma and Archbishop Abet Uy have supported the decision, stressing that Sinulog is not just a celebration but a collective prayer to the Sto. Niño.

“While we are happy celebrating, at the same time we are also praying—especially for the Cebuanos who are still in difficult situations,” Uy said, extending prayers not only for the Binaliw victims but also for those affected by the September earthquake and Typhoon Tino in November.

Rescue commander BFP-7 Fire Chief Superintendent Fred Trajeras Jr. praised the perseverance of his team and the rest.

“God is good to all of us, despite these hardships, sleepless nights, ordeals, and fatigue. All paid off together. We delivered services to the community, and families will be comforted somehow that they can see the remains of their loved ones,” he said, formally declaring the operation terminated on January 18.

For many Cebuanos, the recovery of the last body on the Feast of the Sto. Niño was a bittersweet moment of closure, a reminder that even amid tragedy, faith and community endure. — /RAE (FREEMAN)