2 die, 3 critically hurt in landslide

BUTUAN CITY , Philippines  – At least two minors were killed while three others were critically injured when boulders of loose soil and rocks totally covered and wiped out eight houses in Sitio Santelmo, Barangay Valencia, Cagdianao town in Dinagat Islands province on the evening of New Year’s day, belated report reaching Caraga Region capital said.

The Office of Civil Defense Regional Director for Caraga Region Blanche Gobenciong told The STAR the area where the tragic incident happened is a mining site operated by Cagdianao Mining Corp.

The mining firm has been operating in the area for years now.

Gobenciong said heavy monsoon rains from Dec. 30 to the New Year’s Day caused the landslide with already loosened rocks and soil that rampaged down and hit eight houses in the small sitio of Santelmo.

He identified the two casualties as eight-year-old Marie Denz Sibunga and her younger brother, Rodelio Sibunga, seven.   – Ben Serrano