Duterte to visit Cebu landslide victims

President Rodrigo Duterte will visit on Friday the victims of the deadly landslide that struck near a quarry site in Naga City in Cebu, Malacañang said.

Duterte was supposed to grace the 25th anniversary celebration of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in Pasay City on Friday afternoon but his attendance to the event was canceled.

It was not immediately clear if the cancellation was made to give way for the President's visit to Naga where is he is also reportedly expected to conduct an aerial inspection of the landslide area.

After Naga, Duterte will proceed to Lapu-Lapu City to attend a gathering of health professionals. He will then fly to Cagayan de Oro City to visit wounded soldiers.

At least 22 people died from the landslide that buried several houses in Barangay Naalad and Sitio Sindulan in Barangay Tinaan early Thursday morning following heavy overnight rains.

Nine people have been rescued while several others remained missing, according to the Naga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Hundreds of residents also fled to an evacuation center following the landslide.

The Palace has already extended its condolences to the families of victims and vowed to address their needs.  —KBK, GMA News