KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (Philippines): Six people were killed, and three others remain missing, after a landslide buried two houses in Sitio Blesong Fundao of Barangay Poblacion in Malapatan town, Sarangani, on Friday (July 10).
Malapatan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) chief Mark Christopher Quiño said the landslide buried two houses occupied by the Maladian and Yaton families.
The houses were built along a mountainside.
The MDRRMO said 10 people were initially reported to be buried by the landslide.
So far, six were retrieved and confirmed dead while search operations continue for the three others still missing.
A 31-year-old man was rescued from the debris on Friday morning and was rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Authorities said the landslide was triggered by heavy rains that had been pounding the area since Friday morning.
Officials also believe the ground had weakened due to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the area on June 8, and days of continuous rainfall.
Aside from the landslide, flooding on Thursday evening also affected the villages of Sapu Padidu, Sapu Masla and Libi.
The MDRRMO said at least 115 families were evacuated and are temporarily staying in three evacuation centers.
The local government has provided relief packs and other basic needs to the displaced families. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
