2 more bodies recovered from Mountain Province landslide

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines  —   Two more bodies were pulled out of the mountain rubble in Natonin, Mountain Province yesterday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 20.

Authorities said a left leg, a left arm and human intestines were also recovered from ground zero in Barangay Banawel.

Natonin Mayor Mateo Chiyawan said he coordinated with the local government of Alfonso Lista, Ifugao for the burial of two unidentified bodies that were recovered last week.

Chiwayan said search and retrieval operations continue despite lack of equipment. Concerned local government units took over the operations last week after police and military personnel were asked to report to their mother units.

Ivy Mariano of the Natonin command post said only two backhoes are available, one of them owned by a volunteer.

Mariano said eight persons, including five members of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit, have yet to be accounted for.

Maj. Jefferson Somera of the 5th Infantry Division said the militiamen were part-time workers in a construction project at the building of the Department of Public Works and Highways, which was buried in the landslide at the height of Typhoon Rosita last Oct. 30.

Most of those who remain missing are residents of Barangay Aguinaldo in Alfonso Lista.