Landslide fatalities reach 85 as search, retrieval continue

MANILA, Philippines —  Ten days of search, rescue and retrieval operations have brought the number of fatalities to 85 in the rain-induced landslide in Maco, Davao de Oro.

The municipal disaster risk reduction and management office said at least 38 people remain missing as of yesterday.

As this developed, the  military deployed additional men and assets to help search and retrieve victims of calamities in Davao region as well as in Caraga, which were battered by heavy downpour for several days.

The Philippine Air Force had transported 88,444 pounds of relief goods, equipment and personnel as of Tuesday.

Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of the public affairs office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the Navy deployed the BRP Davao el Sur and the Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 to deliver 40,000 family food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Several units of the Army are helping in the search, rescue and retrieval operations. Troopers secure communities affected by calamities.

Earlier, soldiers from the Army’s 25th Infantry Battalion delivered on foot 71 sacks containing 355 food packs and other relief items to Barangay Andap, New Bataan in Davao de Oro. It took them six hours to reach the area.