Wednesday, August 08, 2007 3 more recovered from Maco slide By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE bodies of the three missing residents of Barangay Masara in Maco, Compostela Valley, were recovered by rescuers several hours after a landslide hit their village at around 12 noon Monday.
Recovered under tons of mud Monday evening was the body of 44-year-old Avelino Cayentano. The bodies of Julmer Carriaga, 11, and Marissa Par, 32, were also retrieved by rescuers Tuesday morning.
This brought to 10 the number of fatalities when tons of mud and water destroyed about six houses located near a creek in Masara.
The seven other fatalities whose bodies were recovered earlier were identified as Geraldine Cayetano, 16; Romavie Cayetano, 3; Annie Carreon, 31; Aiza Carreon, 7; Angelito Carreon, 4; Loie Carreon, 1; and JR Patria, 16.
Eumar Cayetano, meanwhile, sustained injuries and is now recuperating at a hospital.
The landslide was blamed on the collapse of a natural dam. It was learned that several days before the incident, the area experienced heavy downpour and the water was collected in the dam.
Governor Arturo Uy has already dispatched relief goods to the survivors along with personnel from the engineering, health and social welfare offices for the retrieval operation and to attend to the needs of the other victims especially to the families of those who perished.
Five families were said to be affected by the landslide but authorities ordered for the evacuation of all the other residents living near creeks and rivers that are considered as high risk areas.
Authorities said there are no mining activities in the area where the landslide occurred.
