At least 9 dead in Ifugao landslide

At least nine people died, including four Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) employees, following a landslide in Banaue, Ifugao amid the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, the DPWH workers, who were in the middle of a clearing operation, and the other victims sought shelter inside a bunkhouse due to heavy rains and winds brought by Ulysses on Thursday. The house was wiped out by the landslide.

“Due to the heavy rains, sumilong muna sila doon so ‘yong lupa sa taas, ‘yon ang nahulog at dinala ‘yong bahay doon sa lalim na halos 100 meters na bangin,” Philippine National Police Ifugao pronvincial director Police Colonel David Mariano said.

The DPWH workers who died were engineers John Limoh and Julius Gulayan, driver Joel Chur-ig and maintenance crew Jonny Duccog.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar condoled with the families of the victims and vowed to support their families.

“Unfortunately, they paid the ultimate price for their service. Nandoon talaga sila sa frontlines. Ang laki ng sakripisyo nila. ‘Yong dalawang engineers namin, ‘yong isa 24 years old at ‘yong isa, 31. ‘Yong isa, ‘yong 24 years old, kaka-regularize lang. May isang driver na 42 at ‘yong isang laborer, 52 years old,” Villar said.—Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News