CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A family was plunged into deep mourning after four of its members, including a married couple and two children, were killed when a landslide buried their home in Zone 1, Sambulawan, Barangay Agusan, late Thursday night, February 5, 2026, amid the onslaught of Typhoon Basyang.
The tragedy struck shortly after 10 p.m. as heavy and continuous rains weakened the soil on a nearby hillside, causing it to collapse onto the victims’ residence.
Authorities identified the fatalities as spouses Paul and Rufa Laliosa, their 11-month-old niece Alia, who was sleeping beside them, and 13-year-old Rialove, who was in another room at the time of the incident.
According to Renzel, a nephew of the victims and one of the survivors, he managed to escape despite sustaining minor injuries. In shock and pain, he immediately ran to nearby houses to seek help.
“I tried my best to call for help even though I was hurt. I didn’t think of myself anymore. I just wanted them to be saved,” Renzel recalled.
Nine members of the family were inside the house when the landslide occurred. Four minor children of the couple survived. One is currently receiving medical treatment, while three others are staying at an evacuation center.
Neighbor Rene Maghinay, who joined the rescue efforts, said responders struggled to reach the victims, who were trapped under layers of mud, rocks, and tarpaulin.
“It was very difficult. They were deeply buried, and the ground was unstable. We did everything we could,” Maghinay said.
Rescuers also believed that the victims may have been electrocuted while trapped, further complicating efforts to save them.
Local authorities said the landslide was likely caused by the saturated soil from days of heavy rainfall brought by Typhoon Basyang, compounded by strong winds described by residents as a “buhawi” that hit the upper part of the hill.
Search and rescue teams rushed to the scene, but the thick mud and heavy debris made recovery operations extremely challenging. Despite their efforts, all four victims were declared dead.
Their remains have been brought to Everlasting Funeral Homes and are set to be transported to Bukidnon for burial.
The incident has left the community in deep grief, particularly over the loss of young lives in the midst of the storm.
“This is a painful reminder of how vulnerable our communities are during disasters,” a local official said. “Our hearts go out to the bereaved family.”
Clearing and assessment operations are ongoing in the area, while emergency responders remain on standby. Authorities warned that continued rainfall could still trigger more landslides, posing further danger to residents living near slopes and riverbanks.
The city government has intensified forced evacuations in high-risk zones and urged the public to heed weather advisories and safety warnings.
“We appeal to everyone to prioritize their safety and cooperate with evacuation orders,” officials said.
As Cagayan de Oro continues to battle the effects of Typhoon Basyang, the tragic loss of the Laliosa family stands as a somber reminder of the storm’s devastating impact—one that has forever changed the lives of those left behind.