Death toll in Mt. Province landslide hits 16

NATONIN, Philippines — Five more bodies were retrieved here yesterday, bringing the total number of landslide victims in Barangay Banawel to 16. 

Mayor Mateo Chiyawan said they will continue to work to find more bodies from the rubble and even from nearby river systems, as the fatalities may have been washed away by floods and landslides.

A landslide buried a Department of Public Works and Highways building here during the onslaught of Typhoon Rosita (international name Yutu) on Oct. 30.

Chiyawan admitted that after six days, they are conducting retrieval rather than rescue operations.  

At least 13 remain missing, the mayor said.

The Mountain Province Risk Reduction and Management Office has identified 12 of the victims: Joel Arevalo, Gregorio Castro, Juanita Longan, Virginia Catet, Coyugan Catet, John Tenmacheg, Jerry Epan, Reymundo Ngilin, Benito Longan, Junjun Laron, Elberto Betco and Reynato Ayom.