PHILIPPINE National Police Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Monday, September 24, that they are still hoping to recover survivors from the landslide area in the City of Naga, Cebu.

"We are hopeful and hindi naman tayo nag gigive-up dyan. Sana nga meron pa tayong makuhang buhay dyan. Hindi tayo pwedeng maging pessimistic dyan. We are optimistic that talagang na meron pa tayong makukuhang buhay dyan sa Naga, Cebu," he said in a press conference in Camp Crame.

Albayalde made the statement after local police said that several victims of the landslide were able to send their families text messages, indicating that they are still alive.

As of Sunday, 46 bodies were recovered from the landslide area in Sitio Sindulan, Barangay Tina-an and Barangay Naalad in Naga.

The landslide happened early Thursday morning, September 20. It buried at least 24 houses.

Search and rescue operation is ongoing. (SunStar Philippines)