The bodies of two minors who were buried after a landslide in Baguio City were recovered Wednesday morning, October 13.
Colonel Glenn Lonogan, city director of the Baguio City Police Office, said the victims’ remains, who were aged 12 and four-years old, were retrieved at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday by personnel of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Bureau of Fire-Cordillera, Baguio City Police Office; Philippine Army reservists; Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15; BDRRMC of Dominican and Dagsian and Phil. Navy reservists.
A day earlier the victims’ grandfather, 49-year-old Alfredo Ocampo, Jr. was also recovered dead while a male companion was rescued alive.
The landslide incident happened at Marosan Valley, Barangay Dominican-Mirador in Baguio City Monday night.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said assistance will be given to the families of the victims and others affected by the recent calamity.
Earlier, three siblings died after a separate landslide buried their small house in Sitio Ubbog, Central Ambiong in La Trinidad, Benguet.
The parents of the two girls aged two and six, and an eightyear-old boy did try to save their children but to no avail as the province and other parts of Luzon were plunged into darkness due to tropical storm “Maring.”
Heavy rains and strong winds made things worse for the search and rescue team as the family was trapped inside their house that was destroyed easily as it was made only of light materials.
The three siblings were immediately brought to a nearby hospital but they were declared dead on arrival.
The parents – Romnick and Stephanie – survived the ordeal and were being treated physically and emotionally.
According to Mayor Romeo Salda the rains that lasted until early Tuesday were heaviest on record for the town in decades.
Meantime, 12 families composed of 56 individuals from the City Camp Central Happy Homes Old Lucban and Irisan barangays were evacuated to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office center for their safety.
According to CD RR MC operation center, 10 landslide/soil erosion and five flooding incidents were reported and a number of trees and posts fell due to “Maring’s” wrath.
The Burnham Lake was not spared as it overflowed Monday night.
Magalong suspended all works in public offices and classes on Tuesday due to continued torrential rain and strong winds and to give way to clearing operations.
The Marcos Highway was reportedly closed due to a landslide at Sitio Caucalan, Taloy Sur in Tuba while the main highway leading to lowland areas was reduced to one lane as there were parts that were not passable.