Three still missing from landslide in Mati City

The Mati City local government in Davao Oriental on Thursday said at least three residents were still missing due to landslide following the heavy rains and floods in Visayas and Mindanao.

According to the local government, the missing are aged 14, 15, and 52.

The local government said there were more than 80 rescuers reported at the landslide area in Barangay Don Salvador Lopez to retrieve the three missing residents.

These were eight personnel from Mati CDRRMO, seven from PDRRMO, five from the BFP,  eight from the Philippine Army's 66th IB, seven from the 701st Brigade, six from ARESCOM, seven from the PNP, 25 from the DSL BDRRMO, 10 from BRACES Mati, and three from Red Cross.

Meanwhile, the body of purok president of Purok Sangay Cristituto Magmusa Paglanson, 62-years-old, was retrieved on Wednesday afternoon.

“The landslide happened around 11 a.m. [on] Wednesday. The incessant rain the past days triggered the landslide,” the local government said.

The number of reported fatalities due to the impact of rains brought by the shear line in Visayas in Mindanao since the Christmas weekend has increased to 32, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said Thursday.

In its 6 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said 18 deaths were reported in Northern Mindanao, six in Bicol, four in Zamboanga, three in Eastern Visayas, and one in Caraga.

Only seven of the reported fatalities have been validated so far. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA Integrated News