Leyte landslide: Four more bodies found at site

CEBU, Philippines - Rescuers yesterday unearthed four more bodies at the landslide site at the compound of the Energy Development Corporation's Upper Mahiao Plant in Kananga, Leyte.

Two more remain missing as of 1 p.m. yesterday. 

Authorities have yet to identify the bodies that were recovered as these were reportedly already decomposing.

Yesterday was the fifth day rescuers were digging up bodies since the tragic incident late morning last March 1. The retrieval operation was launched the moment EDC ascertained that the area was safe.

The first of nine bodies declared missing was retrieved late afternoon of Sunday, March 2. It was the body of Marlon Buanghog, a resident of Kananga, Leyte.

On Monday, March 4, the body of Uldarico Taburanza was recovered, also at late afternoon, just near where Buanghog's body was found.

Around 8 p.m. on Monday evening, the body of Abelardo Permangil was found.

EDC and First Balfour executives are hoping the two remaining bodies are found today to put a closure to the incident.

The retrieval team has been working round the clock after the "crown of the slope" was cleared and some 20 trees cut down to ensure that they won't come toppling down on rescuers as they dig through the slide.

Meanwhile, First Balfour Senior Vice President Alberto Ignacio Jr. told the press they have taken care of the families of the victims and paid for the bills of those hospitalized and injured.

The victims are workers of JA Construction, a subcontractor of First Balfour, who were doing civil works on the area to fortify it against possible landslides. —/JMO (FREEMAN)