As hopes dim, rescuers mull end to Naga retrieval operations

THE Cebu Regional Incident Management Team is considering the termination of the search and retrieval operations and the demobilization of emergency responders at the landslide site in Barangay Tina-an and Barangay Naalad in Naga City in Cebu, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Wednesday, October 3.

“One of the bases for the termination of the search and retrieval operations for CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region) and Naga City, Cebu incidents as reported from the ground is that as the days go by, chances of finding life is less likely,” the council said in a statement.

As of October 1, the NDRRMC said 77 people have been confirmed dead since the September 20 landslide that buried dozens of homes in Naga.

Emergency responders have also dug up body parts. Fifty-five people remained missing.

A total of 1,739 families or 7,500 persons from six barangays in Naga City were displaced.

In Itogon, Benguet, authorities ended the search and retrieval operations on September 30, two weeks after a massive landslide occurred at the height of Typhoon Ompong.

“I believe it is proper and timely declaration because only three are missing but there are part of bodies recovered, maybe these are the three remaining persons until such time that the National Bureau of Investigation will finish forensic operations,” incident commander General Leopoldo Imbang of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said.

The NDRRMC also said that the termination of the retrieval operations in Benguet was based on the technical assessment conducted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

The agency said the excavation undertaken at the landslide area is "very dangerous" and continuing the search and retrieval operations at the site may endanger the lives of the rescue personnel.

A total of 79 persons were killed in Ucab while 138 were injured. (SunStar Philippines)