5 killed, 2 houses buried in San Mateo landslide

A landslide caused by heavy rains buried yesterday two shanties in San Mateo, Rizal leaving five people dead, including a one-year-old child, while two other children miraculously survived.

Senior Superintendent Leocadio Santiago, Rizal PNP provincial director, identified those killed as couple Mario and Dolores Aresta; Luzviminda Alde, 29; and Miden Llovido and her one-year-old son Mark Victor. Rescued were Mico Aresta, 4; and Mariden Llovido, 2.

Santiago said the victims were sound asleep when boulders and soil collapsed and buried their shanties in Sta. Barbara Villas, Barangay Boundary Hills, Silangan.

Reports showed that the two children were rescued by neighbors who dug up the wreckage using improvised tools. The bodies of the five victims were later dug up by rescuers. — Non Alquitran