Responders finally retrieved on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 20, the body of the previously reported missing man in a deadly landslide in Monkayo, Davao de Oro as the death toll reached 11.
The remains of Rommel Gumatin, 45, were recovered underneath the pile of soil and rocks in Barangay Mt. Diwata at 1 p.m., according to the municipal government of Monkayo, two days after the landslide that killed six of his family members.
"At exactly 1 p.m., the body of Mr. Rommel Gumatin was found today, January 20," the municipal government announced.
Responders also found the cellular phone of Gumatin which he used to capture the deadly slide and upload on social media moments before they were buried alive.
With this developement, the search, rescue and retrieval operations in Mt. Diwata was officially closed by the local government of Monkayo as all the victims of the landslide have already been accounted for.
The focus has shifted to the recovery of the community as Monkayo sought assistance from the national government to help them relocate or rebuild the homes of the affected residents.
Aside from Gumatin, also killed in the landslide were his wife, 27-year-old Catherine; and five children named Cristelle, 10; Hannah, 9; Ailee, 8; Dysna, 3; and Rommel “Arjay” Jr., 1.
The other fatalities were Ritchell Reboldad, 35; Agnes Bitoon, 44; Elvera Saldua, 35; and Marjomie Nenaria, 33.
Meanwhile, a one-year-old baby was injured in the landslide.
The 12 victims were attending a religious gathering last Thursday when they were hit by a landslide caused by heavy rains in the region due to the effects of shearline.