7 killed in Davao landslides
Published Feb 20, 2026 01:23 pm
RETRIEVAL operations in Barangay Salazar, City of Mati, Davao Oriental. (BFP Mati)
DAVAO CITY – Seven persons were killed in two landslides in the City of Mati in Davao Oriental and Monkayo in Davao de Oro due to continuous rains from the shearline.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Mati said a family of four was buried alive in a landslide in Barangay Salazar on Friday, Feb. 20.
The city government identified the fatalities as Habib Anting, Khairen Anting, Taheni Anting, and Norhabiba Anting.
The Bureau of Fire Protection in Mati said Khairen was pregnant.
The CDRRMO, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Army, and other volunteers conducted rescue operations.
Three persons were also killed in a landslide on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Barangay Rizal in Monkayo, the local government said.
Responders retrieved two bodies at dawn on Friday. The third was retrieved in the morning, the local government said in a Facebook post.
Dozens of residents were evacuated as widespread flooding and landslides were reported in Monkayo.
In Barangay Doña Andrea in Asuncion, Davao del Norte, several houses submerged in floodwater due to the swelling of nearby waterways.
The Office of Civil Defense in Davao region warned of landslides due to rains from the shearline.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration has placed the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Surigao del Sur under heavy orange rainfall warning. The State weather bureau warned that flooding is possible in low-lying areas and landslides in mountainous areas.
Classes were suspended in most parts of the Davao region.
Eleven landslides and 53 flooding incidents were recorded in Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur, the 10th “Agila” Infantry Division said. Troops have been deployed to assist in rescue and evacuation.
Major Gen. Alvin Luzon, 10th Infantry Division chief, said they are fully prepared and proactively deployed to assist affected communities.
“We continue to work closely with our local government partners to ensure swift response and sustained humanitarian support. The safety of our people remains our top priority,” Luzon said.