Rescue op temporarily stopped in Abuyog, Leyte, due to threat of another landslide

Rescue operation for victims of a landslide in Abuyog, Leyte, was temporarily stopped after the ground collapsed again amid foul weather, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said Wednesday.

Interviewed on GMA News' Unang Balita, PDRRMO information officer Roel Montesa said the operation had to be stopped after rescuers were almost caught in the landslide.

"Ang rescue operation itinigil muna kagabi sa bagong nag-landslide na barangay sa Barangay Pilar, Abuyog, Leyte [Rescue operation was stopped last night in another landslide incident in Barangay Pilar, Abuyog, Leyte]," he said.

"Itinigil dahil habang nagre-rescue operation sila, biglang gumuho ulit ng lupa so muntik tamaan ang mga kasamahan ko doon [It has to be stopped because the ground collapsed again and it almost buried our rescuers]," he added.

Aside from Abuyog, another landslide was reported in Baybay City in the same province. According to Montesa, 25 people were reported dead while six people were reported missing.

At least 2,902 individuals or 1,398 families have evacuated from their homes amid the onslaught of Tropical Depression Agaton, he added.

Montesa also called for additional relief assistance for the province such as beddings and pillows.

Baybay City has been placed under a state of calamity due to Agaton's effects. —KBK/KG, GMA News