Yt Framework

Four people in Zamboanga del Sur Province were confirmed dead following a rainstorm-triggered landslide that occurred last week in Purok 3, Cabaluran in the municipality of Midsalip.

The Midsalip Municipal Police Station reported rescuers had recovered bodies of a member of the Civilian Armed Auxiliary (CAA) and his three children at Purok 3 in Barangay Cabaluran.

Last August 2, the house of the victims identified as Miguel Mandao Sr., 44; Miguel Mandao Jr., 13; Marilou Mandao, 8; and Belmar Mandao, 4; was carried away by a landslide that transpired at around 6:30 p.m.

A police rescue team led by SPO4 Eulogio Daing Aballe in coordination with the Barangay Chairman Alfredo Beton and Armed Forces of the Philippine and CAA personnel rushed to the scene to conduct search and rescue operation.

But failed to save four lives as their house was already carried by mud and dragged towards the river resulting their death. Mandao’s wife, Soledad, and their son Jomar, 11, fortunately survived the tragedy.

The bodies of Miguel and his 8-year-old sister were recovered a few meters from the incident area while the bodies of their father and 4-year-old Belmar were found in the river in Barangay Cogonan, Labangan town.

All the bodies were brought to the barangay hall for proper disposition and burial.

Authorities estimated the damage incurred by the incident, up to P50,000.

By Eugene A. Lasprilla