Mayon mudflow death toll includes 30 activists — AFP

LEGAZPI CITY — At least 30 Bayan Muna members were killed when mudflow swept through their safehouse in Daraga, Albay last Thursday, a military official said.

Maj. Ronald Rosario, Southern Luzon head of the Armed Forces Civil Relations Service, said the activists’ safehouse in Barangay Binitayan was among the hundreds of houses buried by mud and boulders loosened from the slopes of Mayon Volcano at the height of super typhoon "Reming."

"Sana di naman ang Armed Forces ang sisihin ng Karapatan sa pagkamatay ng mga miyembro ng Bayan Muna (If just hope Karapatan would not blame the Armed Forces for the deaths of the Bayan Muna members)," Rosario told The STAR in a text message, referring to the human rights group.

"I believe that even Mayon Volcano, through (its) pyroclastic deposits, can also render natural justice or punishment to those who support terrorists organizations like the Communist Party of the Philippines and its military arm, the New People’s Army," he added.

Rosario said soldiers found five 81-mm mortal rounds, 10 MK2 grenades, subversive documents and extortion letters in the Bayan Muna safehouse.

Authorities placed the mudflow death toll yesterday at 526, with 740 others missing.