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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider Missing couple buried alive in Bukidnon landslide

Missing couple buried alive in Bukidnon landslide

Published Oct 23, 2025 04:14 pm
DAVAO CITY – Responders on Thursday retrieved the bodies of a couple from the landslide site in Sitio Kipolot, Barangay Palacapao, Quezon town, Bukidnon province.
The couple was identified as Ely and Thelma Ubatay, both 60-year-old vegetable vendors.
They were swept down the ravine when their three-wheel motorcycle called ‘’bao-bao’’ was caught in the landslide.
Forts Cabarde, information of officer of Quezon town, said the couple was embracing each other when they were retrieved 10 feet below the landslide area at 9:31 a.m.
Cabarde added that the couple was located on the exact spot where the K9 dogs pointed, about 90 to 100 meters from the crown of the landslide area.
He said the couple was on their way home to Barangay Palacapao from the town proper when they were swept by the landslide.
The Ubatays’ residence was about eight kilometers away from the landslide site.
A report from the local government showed that the landslide measured about 400 meters long from crown to toe.
About 400 responders took part in the five-day search and retrieval operations.
The local government underscored the role of three search and rescue dogs from the Army 403rd Infantry Brigade and 10th Infantry Division in the operation.
According to the local government, rainshowers hampered search and retrieval operations since Sunday.
The landslide cut the vital link between this city and Bukidnon.
Known among frequent travelers as Bukidnon-Davao Road, it serves as a vital transport link for motorists and movement of essential goods between Northern Mindanao and Davao regions.
Authorities advised an alternate for light vehicles – the highway from Valencia City to Tagum City in Davao del Norte passing through the towns of San Fernando in Bukidnon and Kapalong and Talaingod towns in Davao del Norte and Tagum to this city.
Heavy trucks from Bukidnon were advised to take the highway going to Kabacan town in Cotabato province and on to Davao City.
“If via Carmen-Kabacan, that’s an additional three hours,” Cabarde said.
He added that the local government is wary of the landslide’s impact to the local economy, adding that most of the town’s commodities are from this city.
Cabarde explained that Quezon is nearer to this city than Cagayan de Oro City.
As a result of the landslide, commuters will have to get off from the bus in a designated area before the landslide site and hike through a dirt trail to transfer to the other side of the road.
The local government has designated a waiting area for buses and other public utility vehicles (PUVs) on both sides of the landslide area.

Related Tags

Missing person Bukidnon Landslide Deaths
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