Barangay captain blames Habagat for Itogon landslide

The chairman of Barangay Ucab in Itogon, Benguet believes that the southwest monsoon (Habagat) caused the landslide which hit a mining camp leaving 35 people dead and 59 others missing.

"Talagang 'yung cause noon 'yung matagal na habagat na ano, mahigit isang buwan kasi eh 'yung habagat eh ang nasa isip namin para talagang nagunaw 'yung lupa," said Kennedy Waclin in an interview on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.

"Nung dumating naman si Ompong, 'yun na malakas, gumuho 'yung malaking bundok," he added.

Itogon councilor Arnel Bangawan earlier said small scale mining in the area could be a factor in the tragic incident aside from the heavy rains brought about by Typhoon Ompong.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has ordered a crackdown on illegal small-scale mining operations in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) following the incident.

Cimatu also revoked temporary mining permits given to 10 associations in the region in the wake of the landslides.

Some of those who died were illegally mining for gold near an abandoned bunkhouse owned by gold miner Benguet Corp, according to the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines.

The chamber, of which Benguet Corp is a member, said mining operators there had been repeatedly told to leave the area because of the threat of landslides. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BAP, GMA News