6 feared dead in Agusan landslide

CAMP RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City — Six villagers were feared dead after mud and boulders buried their houses in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur last Monday night, according to a belated report reaching the regional police command here.

Provincial information officer Ferdinand Perez confirmed the incident, saying that Gov. Eddie Bong Plaza has deployed engineering, relief and monitoring teams in Barangays Balobo and Maasin where the tragedy occurred.

Perez said Esperanza Mayor Leonida Manpatilan has sent municipal social welfare officer Luzminda Benadero, also the acting municipal disaster action manager, along with relief and rescue workers and policemen to assist the barangay officials of Balobo and Maasin.

Police said only one of those feared buried alive has been identified as Faustino Pungcol.

Agusan del Sur was one of the hardest-hit by floods and landslides that struck the Caraga region in the past weeks. Two of its municipalities have been placed under a state of calamity.