Palace condoles with victims of Cebu landslide

Malacañang on Thursday expressed its condolences to the victims of the landslide at a quarry site in Naga, Cebu which killed at least four people.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. made the statement as authorities continued their rescue operations for residents who may have been trapped under the debris.

"Nakikiramay po kami doon sa mga naging biktima ng landslide sa Naga at asahan niyo po na lahat naman po ay gagawin ng gobyerno para maibsan 'yung dalamhati na nadarama ng mga biktima," Roque said at a news conference.

"Titignan po natin kung papaano natin maiiwasan ang mga ganitong pangyayari sa mga darating pang mga panahon," he added.

It was not immediately clear whether President Rodrigo Duterte will visit the victims and the landslide area although he is expected to fly to Cebu City on Friday to attend a gathering of health professionals.

Rescuers were still unable to determine the number of people inside the houses at the time of the landslide that struck Barangay Naalad and Sitio Sindulan at Barangay Tinaan early Thursday morning, possibly caused by the heavy overnight rains.

Some 300 families went to evacuation centers following the landslide.

The land on which the homes were built is owned by a cement firm.

Marian Z. Codilla of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 7 said their agency conducted an inspection earlier after Naga City Mayor Kristina Chiong issued a cease and desist order against a cement company located at the site.

However, the MGB-7 found that the fissures at the site were not caused by mining activities.

The cracks discovered before the landslide happened were triggered by natural phenomenon, Codilla said.

The incident comes days after deadly landslides hit the Cordilleras due to heavy rains brought by Typhoon Ompong last week. — MDM, GMA News