GENERAL NAKAR, Quezon – Five persons were killed in a landslide in Sitio Angelo, Barangay Umiray, this town, on Tuesday night, October 24.
RESCUERS conduct retrieval operations for landslide victims in General Nakar, Quezon on Wednesday, October 25.
According to Mayor Eliseo Ruzol here, the landslide triggered by heavy and continuous rainfall occurred at the Sierra Madre mountains, near the tri-boundary of this town, Doña Aurora Trinidad in Bulacan, and Aurora province.
Initial report from the 80th Infantry Battalion said five houses were buried and through the efforts of residents and Army personnel, the bodies of the five victims were recovered and four of them have been identified, including two women.
The four victims were identified as Ramel Binalao, Shirley de Los Angeles, Jonathan de Los Angeles, and Dionely Datario.
Rescuers believe there may be more individuals buried in the landslide.
A Black Hawk helicopter of the 2nd Infantry Division is awaiting improved weather to transport recovered bodies to the 2nd ID headquarters in Tanay, Rizal, where the relatives of the victims from the province of Rizal are awaiting.
Search and rescue operations by the Army and residents are ongoing.
Ruzol said that Sitio Angelo is deep within the Sierra Madre mountains and the area can be reached through a two-day hike.