At least seven people died in two separate landslide incidents in Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental as continuous heavy rains triggered by a shear line and easterlies caused soil to collapse in vulnerable communities across parts of Mindanao.
In Monkayo, three individuals were confirmed dead after a landslide struck Purok 5, Barangay Rizal at around 11:40 p.m. Authorities said the victims were buried when a portion of a hillside suddenly collapsed amid persistent rainfall.
Search and rescue operations were immediately launched, led by Mayor Manuel Jayr Zamora Jr., with responders working overnight to locate the victims. Two bodies were recovered at dawn, while the third was retrieved later in the morning following continued search efforts.
According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), a father and his child were among those killed after their home was engulfed by soil that slid down from the side of a hill. Reports indicated that the victims were sleeping inside their room when the landslide struck their house.
Local authorities assured that assistance would be extended to the bereaved families. The MDRRMO also urged residents living near mountainsides, riverbanks, and other landslide-prone areas to remain alert as rains continue to affect the region.
Meanwhile, another tragic landslide occurred early in the morning in Upper Salazar, Barangay Central, Mati City, claiming the lives of four members of a single family.
Responders from the Mati City Fire Station, working alongside the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, carried out retrieval operations under hazardous conditions caused by unstable ground and loose soil.
Authorities confirmed that the victims were Habib Anting, his pregnant wife Kharen Anting, and their two daughters, Thahani Anting, 5, and Nhor Habiba Anting, 13. They were rushed to a hospital but were declared dead on arrival after their home was buried by large rocks and soil during the landslide.
Officials said the twin tragedies highlight the dangers faced by communities located in landslide-prone areas, especially as prolonged rains continue to affect large parts of Mindanao. Disaster officials continue to advise residents to closely monitor weather advisories and follow evacuation instructions when necessary.