MALAPATAN, Sarangani Province — A deadly landslide triggered by days of relentless rainfall from the intensified Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), enhanced by Typhoon Inday, buried two families in Sitio Blesong Fandaw, Barangay Poblacion, Malapatan, before dawn on Friday, July 10, leaving at least 10 people dead and several others still unaccounted for.
The tragedy struck at around 4:00 a.m., when tons of mud, rocks, and debris cascaded down a mountainside, engulfing homes while residents were asleep. The disaster comes as Malapatan is still recovering from the devastating Magnitude 7.8 earthquake that recently rocked the area, further exposing the municipality’s vulnerability to secondary hazards such as landslides.
According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Malapatan, search, rescue, and retrieval operations remained in full swing throughout the day as emergency responders raced against time to locate survivors and recover those believed trapped beneath the massive debris.
Initial reports indicated that two families were completely buried after the slope collapsed due to continuous heavy rains that saturated the ground.
As of the latest official update from the MDRRMO, 10 fatalities have been confirmed. The victims were identified as:
- Alejandro Maladian
- Bina Binaton Maladian
- Jordan Binaton Maladian
- Weljay Maladian
- Bonbon Cawsri
- Therd Yaton Dawang
- Prince Yaton Dawang
- Save Yaton Dawang
- Daniel Binaton Dawang
- Ricky Ben (declared dead on arrival)
Authorities warned that the death toll could still rise as rescue teams continue searching for several individuals who remain missing beneath the landslide.
Heartbreaking images circulating online showed responders painstakingly retrieving bodies from the thick mud and rubble, underscoring the scale of destruction inflicted on the remote community.
The incident was first reported by local resident Albert Saluntay Tea on social media, while disaster authorities later confirmed the unfolding emergency and the increasing number of casualties.
In response to the disaster, Malapatan Municipal Mayor Salway D. Sumbo, also known as Exodus Sumbo, issued an emergency advisory urging residents living near rivers, creeks, flood-prone communities, and landslide-risk areas to evacuate immediately while travel remains possible.
The mayor stressed that persistent heavy rains continue to increase the risk of additional landslides and flash floods across the municipality.
“We already have reported fatalities, and our rescue teams continue efforts to locate and assist those who may still be trapped,” the mayor said in his advisory, while appealing to residents to avoid hazardous areas, closely monitor official weather bulletins, and strictly comply with evacuation orders.
The landslide is believed to have been triggered by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), whose effects have been significantly intensified by Typhoon Inday, bringing prolonged and torrential rains across parts of Mindanao. The continuous downpour has saturated mountain slopes and weakened already unstable terrain.
The disaster also highlights the compounded risks facing Malapatan following the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake. Experts have long warned that strong earthquakes can fracture mountain slopes and destabilize soil, making landslide-prone areas even more susceptible to collapse during prolonged rainfall.
Emergency responders from the MDRRMO, local government units, police, military, Bureau of Fire Protection, and community volunteers continue rescue and retrieval operations despite dangerous weather conditions.
Authorities have reminded the public that casualty figures remain subject to official verification as operations continue.
Residents in vulnerable communities are strongly urged to heed evacuation orders and remain vigilant as heavy rains are expected to persist, raising the possibility of further landslides and flash floods in affected areas.