Leyte Landslide Number of missing now 9

ORMOC CITY, Philippines – The number of people missing in the landslide in Kananga, Leyte has climbed to nine.

 The search and retrieval operations of the missing workers of Energy Development Corporation at the landslide area of its Pad 403 Upper Mahiao Plant in Barangay Lim-ao have resumed at 1 p.m. yesterday but them stopped at 5 p.m. due to darkness.

EDC corporate communications officer Dave Devilles explained that “the crown of the slope where the land fell has to be cleared first before the emergency response team can go in again.”

He said “the high risk to life of the emergency response team must be eliminated first” before the search and retrieval of the nine missing workers can begin once more.

Devilles, in his text messages to The FREEMAN, said EDC is now on a “search and retrieval mode,” not search and rescue anymore, as hope of finding a survivor almost faded out.

In a press conference at 3 p.m. yesterday, Devilles advised local media that First Balfour, EDC’s contractor, that they will be allowed only to take pictures of the scene of the landslide as soon as the “area is cleared and declared safe and secure.” He added that mediamen were expected to follow “safety rules” strictly.

While the response team waited for a clearance to resume the search and retrieval operations, EDC and First Balfour officials have already talked with the families of the five fatalities.

“Burial and financial assistance have been provided,” said Devilles, adding that one of the widows was even offered employment by First Balfour.

Representatives of the two companies have also visited the eight people who survived and confined at the two hospitals in nearby Ormoc City, saying they were footing the victims’ medical bills. 

Five workers were killed and six others were initially declared “missing” after a landslide at the geothermal plant site late noon of last Friday. (FREEMAN)