Landslide death in Compostela up to 16

The death toll from the two landslides in Compostela Valley over the weekend rose to 16, including the village chief of Poblacion Masara in Maco town, disaster officials said yesterday.

Antonio Cloma Jr., operations officer of the Office of Civil Defense in Region X said in a phone interview that among the latest casualty recovered by rescuers was that of Poblacion Masara Barangay Captain Jovencio Anquera.

He was among the 14 that were initially reported missing.

Cloma said that as of their latest information, 29 persons were injured and 10 still missing in the said landslides, which were brought about by heavy rains in the area for the past three days.

But OCD Region X chief Liza Mazo said in another phone interview that there is a possibility that there are more than the reported casualties because the area is quite populated.

As of the latest update, 350 families have already been evacuated from the area, which, according to Mazo has been classified by the MGB of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as susceptible to such hazards.  

Authorities fear that another landslide might occur within the same area at the mining site in Barangay Masara, Maco, Compostela Valley just after two landslides also struck the place over the weekend which had nine people earlier confirmed dead, 14 missing and 20 others injured.

Southern Mindanao regional police director Chief Superintendent Andres Caro said residents noticed cracks in another portion of the mining area which could also result to landslide should incessant rains continue.

“We have already called the attention of the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau for them to come into the picture because there are fears another landslide might take place,” Caro said.

Caro, who is also head of the regional disaster coordinating council (RDCC), said the MGB has been asked to do an emergency soil study of the area that has been pinpointed to possibly be struck by another landslide.

The MGB has conducted geo-hazard study in the area especially after a similar landslide incident also occurred last year that likewise killed 10 people and several others injured by the rampaging mud and boulders.

MGB region XI director Edilberto Arreza told The STAR in a phone interview that the residents have been warned several times regarding the dangers of their continued stay in the area considered to be the mining site of the Apex Mining Corp., Inc..

“But these people persisted they would stay in Masara because it seems that their means of livelihood is in the place,” Arreza said.

Caro said that villagers have been told several times to vacate the place but that they have always strongly resisted, afraid they would lose their only source of income as small-scale miners.

He said that search and rescue operations are still ongoing for those who have been missing while more than 1,000 people have already been evacuated to safer grounds.

Aside from the MGB, Caro said the RDCC has also tapped the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to look into the needs of the evacuees.

“The municipal and provincial disaster coordinating councils have already sought the help of the agencies concerned for relief and medical assistance to the evacuees,” Caro said.

Philippine Air Force Huey helicopters have also assisted elements of the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Army and other emergency response groups in locating possible survivors as well as helping those who have been stranded by the landslide.

Caro said roads leading to Barangay Masara have been rendered impassable by the landslides that struck twice, first on Saturday afternoon and followed by another one early Sunday morning. – With AP