San Luis, Agusan del Sur — September 15, 2025
Tragedy struck the remote community of Sitio Tagbulakan, Barangay Mahayahay, San Luis, Agusan del Sur, on Sunday night when a massive landslide buried several houses after days of relentless rain.
At least two people were confirmed dead, while four others remain missing as of press time. Rescue teams continue to scour the mud-covered area, hoping to find survivors.
Municipal Engineer Marlon Aclan said the landslide occurred in the early evening of September 14, after the soil—saturated by successive downpours—gave way and thundered down the mountainside. “The ground had become too soft to hold,” he explained, pointing to the community’s known vulnerability to landslides during the rainy season.
Authorities have yet to release the names of the victims, pending notification of their families. Search and rescue teams composed of local officials, police, and volunteers are racing against time amid unstable ground and continuing rains.
Families in Sitio Tagbulakan watched in grief and desperation as rescuers dug through the earth with heavy equipment and bare hands. “We are still hoping we can find the missing alive,” said one relative, clutching a photo of a loved one.
PAGASA reported that localized thunderstorms affected Mindanao on Sunday, warning that persistent rains may continue in the coming days.
A Call for Caution
As the rainy season continues, authorities are reminding the public to remain vigilant, especially in landslide- and flood-prone areas. Residents in mountainous or riverside communities are urged to take precautionary measures, heed local advisories, and evacuate when necessary.
Every year, lives are lost to natural disasters made deadlier by unpredictable weather. This latest tragedy in Agusan del Sur is a painful reminder of how fragile safety can be in hazard-prone areas.
Local officials stress that preparedness and early evacuation can save lives. Communities are urged not to wait until it is too late.