Rescue operations resume at EDC landslide site in Leyte

ORMOC CITY, Philippines – Rescue and retrieval operations have resumed at a project site of the Energy Development Corp. (EDC) in Kananga town, Leyte, where a landslide occurred last Friday.

Five people were killed in the incident while nine others remained missing.

Authorities identified the fatalities as Bonifacio Polinio, Edgardo Cabarsi Sr., Billy Abella, Joel Milay and Etchield dela Austria.

Albert Ignacio, senior vice president of EDC, contractor First Balfour, told reporters yesterday the landslide could have been triggered by saturated soil due to continuous rains.

He said they will ensure that rescue efforts will not endanger more lives, particularly those involved in the operations.

Ignacio also said that the total number of workers deployed in the area at the time of the incident was 45, not 43 as earlier reported. 

“We will continue to do all that we can in the hope that we can still rescue survivors from under the rubble. But we recognize that the possibility is low given the site conditions we are seeing,” Ignacio said.

He added that they will help in the burial and hospital expenses of the fatalities and those injured.