8ID’s search and rescue on going, unearths missing victim

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – the only thing left out by the successive rains that had caused floods and landslides in some places in Samar and Leyte islands are the mud and dirt the remain unpolished since water level has just subsided after the complete stop of the rain.

The reported five (5) sections of the Taft-Buray road which were swamped by three feet to five feet of water flood yesterday such as Barangay Binaloan, Malinao, San Pablo, Mabuhay and Burak all of Taft, Eastern Samar are now passable as of 6 a.m. today but the Disaster Relief and Rescue Unit (DRRU) of the Army’s 801st Infantry Brigade are still on the alert for any recurrence of the incident.


The Southern Leyte landslides particularly in Purok 4, Brgy Bulod-Bulod in the town of St Bernard remains serious today.

It can be recalled that three (3) innocent minors were buried alive after their households were pressed down by the sliding mud and rocks. Search and rescue operation yesterday resulted to exhumation of two (2) dead bodies identified as Fatima and Rodel Escairal, 5 and 1 year old, respectively and Jordan Laquipon, 3 years old who was reported missing yesterday is now exhumed by the troops of Lieutenant Jerson Palawan of the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion early this morning.

Lieutenant Palawan’s report states that other victims who survived the landslide are now in good condition while others are still under medication in the Anahawan Hospital in the same province.

Reports also revealed that while the 19IB troopers were on their way to Balud-balud to assist the localities, they also encountered other minor and major landslides that almost prevent them to pursue. About few seconds from passing Agas-agas Bridge, piece of the mountain height along the road were able to slip on the road. Luckily, they were able to cross forward.

Another mud slip along Brgy Kawayan, Libagon town of same province eventually caused them to stop longer when it totally blocked the access from and to Liloan town. Troops including some commuters aboard buses and other utility vehicles were reportedly stranded.

19IB immediately deployed its troops in coordination with the Provincial Public Works and Highways (PPWH) to provide necessary assistance in the affected area. Troops were able to clear the passage early morning today.

Meanwhile, Major General Mario Chan commended his troops for painstakingly uphold the call of duty. It cannot be denied that some troops are enjoying their holiday vacation but they disregarded their personal comfort and recreation just to answer the call of duty.

“I would like to recognize the duty and service of our troops. Even though some of them are on Yuletide break, they completely disregarded their own personal safety just to answer the call of duty for the affected people. They hurdled and passed other landslide just to reach the most critical area where services are badly needed.” Major General Chan says.

General Chan ordered all the units under his command to continue monitoring their respective areas of operations to assure that every manmade or natural calamities including threat to security and safety of our people will be immediately addressed.

One company of Disaster Response and Rescue Unit (DRRU) is still on standby alert at the 8ID headquarters for quick deployment and immediate response to the calls of eventualities. ###