More than 300 families evacuated after Cebu landslide

Rescue and retrieval operations have been ongoing since Thursday morning.
Aldo Banaynal and Rowena Capistrano via The Freeman

64 reported missing

MANILA, Philippines — (Updated 2:22 p.m.) An incident command post has been put up and search and rescue teams from different agencies have been deployed after a landslide in the City of Naga in Cebu early Thursday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

According to an initial report by the NDRRMC, teams from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation and the local government units of Argao, Cebu City, Mignlanilla and Mandaue are already at the landslide site in Barangay Tinaan.

It said the landslide happened around 6 a.m. "due to continuous rains."

The Freeman reports 64 people have been reported missing as of 1:40 p.m. It also said there were six confirmed fatalities.

Province deploys rescuers, volunteers

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III has ordered all of the province's disaster risk reduction and management office rescuers and volunteers deployed to the City of Naga, where a massive landslide has buried at least 26 houses.

According to the Cebu provincial government, heavy equipment has also been ordered deployed to the area affected by the landslide. Food will also be provided to evacuees and survivors by the province's Social Welfare and Development Office.

The City of Naga has already evacuated 315 families and a state of calamity has been declared over five barangays—Tinaan, Mainit, Naalad, Pangdan, and Cabungahan.

Naga City Mayor Kristine Chiong said in an update by The Freeman that the area hit by the landslide is "near" a quarry site that the city had issed a cease-and-desist order against in August.

Rescue and retrieval teams earlier Thursday confirmed the deaths of Olivia Menesis (63), Abel Lobiano (40), Romeo Jabonilla (50), and a 4-year-old child.

Those injured and brought to Talisay District Hospital were identified as Rose Ann Lobiano (40), Christopher Cemelier (44), and Nestor Capoy (52). The number of injured has since risen to six.

Developing story

Related video:

Show comments