Rescuers give up hope of seeing more survivors at Itogon landslide site

The authorities conducting search operations in Barangay Ucab in Itogon, Benguet seemed to have given up hope of finding any more survivors at the site of the landslide that killed dozens since last week.

According to Jonathan Andal's report on Super Radyo dzBB, Secretary Francis Tolentino said the operations were no longer geared towards rescue.

"Wala nang signs of life dito sa Barangay Ucab, Itogon," said the presidential adviser on political affairs.

Tolentino is also the national government's point person in the aftermath of Typhoon Ompong that hit the country two weeks ago.

"Dinedeklara na po natin ito na purely retrieval operations nung natitira pang 19," Tolentino said.

Ompong point person presidential political adviser Sec. Francis Tolentino, ideneklara ngayong araw na wala nang makikitang buhay sa landslide site sa Bgy. Ucab, Itogon, Benguet; operasyon sa 'ground zero,' tatawagin na lamang 'retrieval' at hindi na 'search and rescue' @dzbb pic.twitter.com/ahPykeThhR

— Jonathan Andal (@JonathanAndal_) September 25, 2018

The authorities have also decreased the number of bodies recovered to 54 after earlier reports already pointed to at least 60.

Removed from the count were the body parts that were recovered from the rubble.

Search, rescue and retrieval teams already reached the portal or main tunnel at the ground zero of the landslide area.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau advised rescue personnel to be more cautious in digging this part since it is at the toe or bottom part of the landslide. One wrong move and the soil may move.

Rescue miners from Philex Mining were tasked to dig this part with caution.

Authorities are hoping that some of the victims ran inside the tunnel and are awaiting rescue. —NB, GMA News