One of the victims being carried by rescuers in Malapatan, Sarangani.
AT least six people have been confirmed dead, one was rescued, and three others remain missing following a landslide that struck a portion of Barangay Poblacion in the municipality of Malapatan, Sarangani province.
The incident occurred amid unfavorable weather conditions, triggering the movement of soil and debris that buried several structures and affected residents in the area. Local authorities immediately launched response operations to assess the extent of the damage and locate those trapped or unaccounted for.
Rescue teams from the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office, the police, and volunteer groups were deployed right after the report was received. One person was successfully pulled out alive and given immediate medical attention to ensure their recovery.
However, search and retrieval efforts also recovered the bodies of six victims, bringing the confirmed death toll to six as of the latest update. The tragic incident has left families grieving and the community in shock over the sudden loss of lives.
Authorities continue to comb through the affected zone to find the three individuals still missing. Heavy equipment and personnel remain on site, though operations are being conducted with caution due to the risk of further soil movement and unstable terrain.
Local officials have also advised residents living near slopes and elevated areas to stay vigilant and follow safety protocols to prevent similar incidents. Updates on the search for the missing persons and the extent of damage will be released as operations progress.
