THREE members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) were among those killed in a landslide that hit two government buildings in Natonin town in Mountain Province on October 30.
Captain Jefferson Somera, spokesperson of the Army's 5th Infantry Division based in the area, identified the fatalities as Leobel Orchilion, Linang Pallichang and Jonanthan Ngilin.
He said two other Cafgu personnel remained missing Friday, November 2.
Somera said the victims were members of the Cafgu Active Auxiliary (CAA) under Alpha Company of the Army's 77th Infantry Battalion in Ubao Patrol Base, Barangay Ubao, Aguinaldo, Ifugao.
Lieutenant Colonel Rembert Baylosis, commanding officer of the 77IB, said the victims were all on leave when the landslide happened.
"Our five CAAs went to work at the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) project in the area as laborers and skilled workers to compensate their allowances as CAA because our Cafgu personnel only work for 15 days every month. For the remaining days, CAAs are free to earn additional income for their families," Baylosis said.
Major General Perfecto Rimando Jr., commander of the 5th Infantry Division, condoled with the victims' families.
He said his troops were in the area to take part in the ongoing search, retrieval and rescue operations in the landslide site.
Mountain Province was among the areas hit by Typhoon Rosita (Yutu), which triggered the landslide on October 30.
READ: Typhoon Rosita leaves 15 dead, 6 missing
The military said eight bodies were pulled from the mud, while at least 20 others are still missing. (SunStar Philippines)