Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 5) — The sight of rescuers crowded around rubble was not new to the miners of Itogon, Benguet, but this time they find themselves on the giving end of a similar tragedy.
Around 24 miners from the landslide-hit town volunteered to help in search and retrieval operations in Natonin, Mountain Province. 14 people remain missing after a landslide buried a Department of Public Works and Highways building on Tuesday.
Jake Gayog, one of the volunteers, said they want to help in any way they can after his fellow residents suffered the same fate not too long ago.
“Kahit na nabagyo din kami dun, true spirit talaga ng mga Cordilleran, they make sure na nobody is left behind. Naramdaman na namin yan doon noong Ompong kaya dinala din namin dito. Kailangang-kailangan kami dito,” Gayog shared.
[Translation: Even though we were hit by a typhoon there, it is the true spirit of the Cordilleran to make sure nobody is left behind. We felt that during Ompong that’s why we brought it here.]
In September, following the wrath of typhoon “Ompong”, a landslide buried 100 people who were seeking refuge in a bunkhouse-turned-church. 91 bodies were retrieved but nine remained missing before search and retrieval operations were temporarily suspended on September 30.
Gayog said they are having a difficult time rescuing survivors in the landslide area of Natonin since its point of impact was more widespread than in Itogon.
“Doon sa Itogon, iisa lang na lugar. Ito kalat-kalat. Sobrang mahirap. Kita niyo kanina yung na-rescue namin, hirap na hirap kami kasi naipit siya. Maraming bakal, maraming poste,” he described.
[Translation: In Itogon it was only one place, here it is widespread. It’s really difficult. You can see the ones we’ve rescued, we had trouble because they were trapped. There were lots of metal and posts.]
Search and retrieval operations in Natonin were extended until Friday upon the recommendation of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
OCD-CAR Regional Director Ruben Carandang said they are expecting more groups and equipment to arrive on Tuesday.
“The new or fresh search and retrieval groups or organization will be coming from Tuguegarao and Isabela. Care of Director Balao of OCD Region 2. They will be coming here by Tuesday,” he told CNN Philippines.
Lt.Col. Narciso Nabulneg, Commander of the 54TH Infantry Battalion stationed at a neighboring barangay, added that they still have to inspect the rest of the building that was buried in the debris, before they call efforts off.
“Hindi pa nagagalaw yung mismong site ng building, yung first floor. Out of six floors, yung first floor ang naiwan. Parating pa lang ngayon ang heavy equipment kaya ngayon pa lang sisimulan,” Nabulneg said.
[Translation: The first floor of the building has not been moved yet. Out of six floors, the first floor is left. The heavy equipment are just about to arrive so we have yet to begin inspecting it.]
The search, rescue and retrieval operations now go as far as Sifu River in the neighboring town, Paracelis.
CNN Philippines’ correspondent Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report.
