Death toll in Bukidnon landslide climbs to 6

At least six people were killed while 11 others were reported missing after a landslide occurred in Bukidnon province on Monday morning. Senior Superintendent Lyndel Desquitado of the Bukidnon Police said the landslide occurred at Barangay Lumbayao in Valencia City on or before 6 a.m. But in a separate report later in the day, 8th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo said the landslide occurred at around 7 a.m. Cuerpo said continuous rains in the province triggered the erosion in one hilly portion of Valencia City. "Siguro hindi na makaya yung heavy downpour ng ulan for the past weeks, medyo marami-raming tubig yung pumasok dito sa past weeks (I guess the soil couldn't take the heavy downpour these past few weeks)," he said. He said most of the vehicles buried by the landslide were commercial motorcycles, which he said were the primary means of transportation in the area. "Kung may buhay man, we are hoping against time na makakuha tayo ng mga buhay pa kung may makuha tayo (We are hoping against time that we will be able to recover survivors from the site)," added Cuerpo. Desquitado had earlier said that the local police, together with Valencia City Rescue Team, are already in the area to extend help. A report on GMA News TV said three people have successfully been rescued from the site. - Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News