Landslide kills 4, injures 2

FOUR people, including a militiaman, died while two others survived in a landslide in the province of Zamboanga del Sur.

Superintendent Nelson Eucogco, Police Regional Office (PRO-9) acting information officer, identified the fatalities as militiaman Miguel Mandao Sr., 47, his two sons, Miguel Jr. 14, and Mario, 13, and daughter, Vilam, 8.

The survivors were Mandao’s wife, Soledad, 46, and their son, Jomar, 11, said Eucogco.

Eucogco said the victims were inside their house when swept towards the river by a landslide that hit Thursday last week in Cabaloran village in Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur around 6:30 p.m.

Eucogco said the soil from a highland portion eroded downhill where Mandao’s house was located. The landslide was brought about by continuous downpour in Cabaloran village.

The victims were recovered in Cogonan River in the village of Congonan, Labangan, which is an adjacent municipality of Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur, Eucogco said.

Midsalip Mayor Leonida Ancap said the survivors were admitted at the hospital and were given medical assistance by the Municipal Government, which also shouldered the burial expenses of four Mandao family members who died in the incident, Ancap said. (Bong Garcia)