At least 6 people were killed while at least 20 remain missing after landslides hit Sitio Hangaron, Barangay Lumbayao in Valencia City, Bukidnon Monday morning.
Bukidnon Gov. Alex Calingasan said a local disaster team had pulled out 3 bodies from the landslide-hit area in Barangay Lumbayao.
Lt. Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo, 8th Infantry Batallion commander, however said there were 6 bodies already recovered from the disaster site.
Calingasan said several days of rainy weather caused many residents to evacuate their homes due to fears of a landslide. He said the casualties were riding habal-habals or were on foot when they were hit by 2 landslides.
"Imposible po na may buhay kasi sa tabi lang sa daan mismo sa national road. Yung daan mismo ang natabunan," he told radio dzMM.
Cuerpo confirmed the governor's story, saying that they had yet to receive reports of survivors. An ABS-CBN Regional Network Group report said at least 20 people were buried alive in the landslides.
"Merong mga motorcycles na natabunan. Ito yung mga commercial motorcycles na nagdadala ng pasahero kasi ito yung primary means of transportation din dun sa lugar kaya, secondary lang yung jeeps. Karamihan ho dun mga habal-habal," he said.
Retrieval operations are still ongoing. – With a report from Sheila Joy Labrador, ABS-CBN News Northern Mindanao
