Despite preparations, Baguio City taken by surprise by Ompong

Rescuers dig through thick mud to retrieve the bodies of landslide victims in Baguio City following the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong, GMA News' Mariz Umali reported on Unang Balita on Monday.

Two such victims yet to be found are Celso Calzo and Johnlee Viernes..

Maricris Calzo said her husband Celso and the others were digging a waterway to prevent their home from being swept away when they were caught by the landslide.

"Iniisip nila yung bahay namin na hindi ma-washout, kaka-ano nila, bumigay tuloy, pati sila napasamang tatlo," Maricris said.

Parts of Aguinaldo Drive that gave way from the rain swept across the highway and buried several establishments across the road, killing an owner of a carwash on that strip.

The owner was identified as Edwin Cabarlo, an employee of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

Nearby, 79-year-old Nikolaus Tzouganatos was found alive in the remains of his cement house after it was was plowed over by a landslide that ran across Runway 27 of the Loakan Airport.

Even rescuers were not safe as a rescuer was buried by a landslide when they cut through the PMA compound to get a shipment of relief goods.

The local government admitted that they were overwhelmed by the impact of Typhoon Ompong and that its damage exceeded their expectations.

"Nabigla rin in spite of our preparations. Ready yung mga responders, ready yung mga partners ng CDRRMO, ready yung mga barangays. Pero yung mga terrain natin, wala tayong magawa dun. Very vulnerable tayo sa landslides and erosion," Baguio City Administrator Carlos Canilao said.

A total of nine people were reported killed in Baguio due to Ompong. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News