Landslide leaves 2 dead in Benguet; over 80,000 people affected as heavy rains pound Luzon, Mindanao
Police and local responders check on an eatery in La Trinidad, Benguet which was buried in a landslide on Thursday morning, August 6, 2026. (photo: PNP)
At least two people died while more than 80,000 people were affected as tropical cyclones Maymay and Luis, along with southwest monsoon or habagat, continue to unleash heavy rains in Luzon and several parts of Mindanao.
The two fatalities were due to a landslide that hit a popular eatery in Barangay Shilan, La Trinidad, Benguet at around 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6. The two fatalities and another kitchen crew were buried during the incident.
One of them was rescued and is now in serious condition at Benguet General Hospital. The two others died on the spot, their bodies were recovered more than an hour after the landslide.
Police Col. Dionisio Bonoy, director of the Benguet Provincial Police Office, said it was the first time that a landslide happened in the area, noting that the portion that was buried was made of light materials.
“The area has a retaining wall but it appears that it caved in since it has been raining for three straight days before this incident happened,” said Bonoy.
Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said a total of 23,946 families composed of 80,633 persons were affected by the three weather disturbances.
Of those affected, a total of 6,929 individuals are staying in 39 evacuation centers.
The evacuees were affected by severe flooding in various areas and the OCD said a total of 83 areas were flooded in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Zamboanga Peninsula Region and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
Tropical Storm Maymay made landfall over Magsingal, Ilocos Sur at around 2 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6. It is expected to weaken further as it traverses the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon.
A number of areas are still under storm signals number 2 and 1 based on the latest report of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).