Hopes dim for 19 trapped in landslide rubble

MANILA, Philippines — Hopes of finding more survivors from the government building buried in last Tuesday’s landslide in Natonin are getting dim as the town remains isolated with rain and mud hampering the frantic search.

Officials said rescue efforts by more than 100 police, firefighters and volunteers were halted at nightfall Wednesday after the retrieval of four bodies at the site.

Smaller landslides on roads leading to Natonin in Mountain Province have slowed the advance of more rescuers and earth-moving equipment, according to regional police director Chief Supt. Rolando Nana.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said rescuers were having difficulty reaching more survivors, as the town remained isolated as of yesterday.

Rescuers managed to pull out four survivors last Wednesday but at least 19 others remain missing after a massive landslide triggered by Typhoon Rosita crashed down on the building of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Barangay Bannawel.

Cordillera police spokesperson Supt. Pelita Tacio said several landslides had blocked the six-kilometer road from Paraceli to Natonin.

She said K-9 units were flown in by helicopter to help in the frantic search for survivors.

This developed as a backhoe operator helping clear the road to Natonin was killed when a landslide shoved his heavy equipment into a ravine yesterday. The fatality was identified as Eugene Gallangi Nahhog.

Initial reports said about 14 villagers were also injured in the landslide.

Despite this, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar stressed the operations will not stop until the roads to Natonin have been cleared.

“Our clearing operation is non-stop, 24/7. Paraceli to Natonin hopefully (will be cleared) by today (Nov. 1) while we estimate to clear Bontoc to Natonin by Nov. 3,” he said.

Tacio added the figures have not changed so far with four confirmed dead, 14 survivors and 19 missing.

The NDRRMC said the 19 would remain missing in their list as it announced the 15 deaths earlier reported are still being validated.

Rody satisfied with gov’t response

President Duterte was satisfied with state agencies’ response to the effects of “Rosita” but he reminded them to continue working to restore normalcy in affected areas. 

“I think everybody is doing his duty. I’d like to thank you for that,” Duterte said during a briefing in Cauayan City, Isabela. 

“The rule in crisis management or whatever calamity or whatever, the number one rule is you have to return to normalcy as soon as possible,” he added.

‘Give enough food, water’

The President also ordered government agencies to provide enough food and water for over 31,000 people affected by Rosita in Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera region.

“I want that food and water would reach the victims immediately,” he said during the briefing.

He instructed the DPWH and the Philippine Army’s Engineering Brigade to speed up the clearing of roads and highways hit by landslides due to the typhoon.

The President directed Cabinet members to immediately provide for what typhoon victims need. 

The Tactical Operations Group of the Philippine Air Force, he said, would dispatch helicopters to ferry food and water to areas affected by the typhoon.  – With AP, Raymund Catindig, Evelyn Macairan, Rainier Allan Ronda, Pia Lee-Brago, Rudy Santos, Richmond Mercurio, Alexis Romero, Edith Regalado