DAVAO CITY – A dramatic video showing the ground visibly moving moments before a massive landslide struck Sitio Marahan in Barangay Marilog Proper has revealed the terrifying sequence of events that led to the collapse of a section of the Davao–Bukidnon Road on Friday evening, July 17.
The footage, captured by Rechel Pacaña Vlog, showed two men entering a house at around 5:00 p.m. to retrieve important belongings after residents had already begun evacuating due to signs of an impending landslide.
However, the men quickly rushed out after noticing that the ground had started to shift beneath them. Witnesses said they could both see and feel the earth moving as cracks on the roadway widened by the minute.
Residents described hearing unusual sounds while watching the fissures gradually expand, confirming that the hillside was becoming increasingly unstable following hours of continuous rainfall.
Just over two hours later, at around 7:00 p.m., a large portion of the road finally gave way.
The collapse triggered a landslide that severely damaged four houses, although no casualties were reported as residents had already evacuated to safer areas before the slope completely failed.
The incident occurred along Purok 39, Sitio Marahan, Barangay Marilog Proper, where prolonged heavy rains saturated the soil, causing the slope supporting the national highway to collapse.
Videos circulating online showed a massive section of the roadway breaking apart and sliding downhill, leaving behind a wide chasm and rendering the highway completely impassable.
According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region XI, the affected section of the Davao–Bukidnon Road remains closed to all types of vehicles after a road slip caused by heavy rainfall.
Authorities have declared the highway not passable to all vehicles while engineers continue assessing the extent of the damage and determine the necessary stabilization and repair works.
As a temporary measure, light vehicles are being advised to use the alternate route via:
- Davao–Bukidnon Road – Datu Ladayon – Katipunan – Campo Uno
Motorists traveling between Davao City and Bukidnon are urged to avoid the affected area and monitor official advisories as road conditions remain hazardous.
Personnel from the DPWH Davao City II District Engineering Office have been deployed to conduct technical assessments, monitor slope stability, and coordinate response operations to restore access as soon as conditions become safe.
Authorities believe the continuous rainfall that has affected the area in recent days significantly weakened the mountainside, leading to the ground movement witnessed by residents before the eventual collapse.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by prolonged rains in mountainous communities, where saturated soil can rapidly trigger landslides and road failures with little warning.
Local authorities continue to monitor the area for possible additional ground movement as unstable slopes remain a concern amid continuing wet weather. Residents living near the affected hillside have likewise been advised to remain vigilant and follow evacuation instructions should further signs of land movement be observed.