Ten Killed In Philippine Landslide

Ten killed in Philippine landslide

By Barbara Mae Dacanay, Bureau Chief, Gulf News - http://www.gulfnews.com/world/Philippines/10144882.html

7th August 2007

Manila: Ten people were killed by a landslide triggered by continuous rains in a mining village in the southern Philippines, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said in a report on Tuesday.

Annie Carreon, 31, and her four children, Aiza, 7, Angelito, 4, and Joey, 1, were buried as the earth gave way under their home on a hillside at the remote village of Masara in Maco town, Campostela Village on Monday.

It occurred a day after typhoon Pabuk (locally known as Chedeng) lashed southern Philippines on Sunday, the NDCC said.

The landslide also buried Avelino Cayetano, 44, and his three children Geraldine, 11, Romabie, 3, and Joey, the NDCC said.

Yesterday the NDCC confirmed the death of Marissa Par, 32, a mother, whose body was recovered by a rescue team. Meanwhile, relatives gave up search for Jomar Carriaga, 11, who was also buried under the earth on Monday.

Five other people were injured, according to the NDCC, adding the landslide has also destroyed about 15 makeshift homes of the village of gold miners.

The Apex Mining Company, partly owned by Crew Gold Corporation of the United Kingdom, is leading a search and retrieval operation because the landslide affected the homes of the gold miners who were working for the company's Masara Gold Mine, the NDCC said.

Storm and depression to trigger more rain

Outgoing Chedeng and an incoming low-pressure area near Bicol, in southern Luzon, will enhance the southwest monsoon, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa).

Pagasa raised alert level on flashfloods and landslides in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes in southern Luzon and in central Philippines.

Heavy rains were expected to revive parched farms in central and northern Luzon.