7 killed in Davao de Oro landslide; 1 critical, 4 missing

At least seven people were killed, an infant was critically injured, while no less than four others were missing in a landslide in Monkayo, Davao de Oro amid heavy rains on Thursday.

According to a report by Regional TV One Mindanao's Kent Abrigana on 24 Oras, the victims were holding a prayer worship inside a home at Purok 19, Pagasa in Barangay Mt. Diwata past 11:00 a.m. when tragedy struck. The injured child is one year old.

Julius Neñaria, husband of one of the fatalities, had been praying for a miracle.

"Gumawa Ka ng milagro, Panginoon, na mabuhay sila. Ipakita mo sa aking asawa ang iyong milagro. Kasi nanguna lang siya para sa prayer worship. Wala siyang ibang intensyon," Neñaria said.

(Dear God, please give us a miracle that they are still alive. Show my wife your miracle. She just went there for prayer worship. She did not have any other intention.)

Neñaria added, "Sabi niya sa akin na maaga siya aalis kasi bumaba na ang host nila. Pinagalitan pa niya ang kaniyang anak kasi gustong sumama kahit umuulan. Kalahating oras lang bago ang kanilang worship. Hindi talaga nila ito inaasahan."

(She told me that she would leave early because their host left. She even scolded her relative who wanted to go with her even if it was raining. This was just half an hour before their worship. It was totally unexpected.)

Forced evacuation

Regional TV One Mindanao reported that the municipal government of Monkayo will implement a forced evacuation of residents in Barangay Mt. Diwata in the wake of the incident.

Disaster response efforts were paused at 3:30 p.m. Thursday due to relentless rains and other landslides in the area, according to a report by Jeycel Villacorte on Super Radyo dzBB.

The search for the missing victims will resume on Friday, if the weather permits. A shear line had been causing rains in the area.

"Nag-conduct kaagad tayo ng search, rescue and retrieval operations kaya lang dahil malakas pa ang ulan, tinigil na lang muna kasi hindi na safe sa mga rescuers natin na nadu'n," said Jegrace Cabag, Monkayo, Davao de Oro Information Officer.

(We conducted search, rescue, and retrieval operations right away, but because of the heavy rains, we had to put these on hold. It's not safe for our rescuers over there.)

Glen Guia, who assisted in the rescue efforts, said that, "Nakababahala kasi may bumabagsak pa sa itaas. Gusto namin silang ma-rescue kaagad baka sakaling buhay pa."

(The situation is concerning because landslides are still happening up there. We want to rescue them right away because they might still be alive.)

Super Radyo dzBB reported on Thursday afternoon that as many as 13 individuals may have been buried under earth and rocks, with up to five persons reported missing.

The remains of the deceased were brought to the Monkayo Regional Health Unit for identification. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VDV, GMA Integrated News