Death toll in Cebu landfill landslide climbs to 20; mother loses 2 children

The death toll from the deadly landslide at a landfill in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City has risen to 20, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said Wednesday.

According to Mariz Umali’s “24 Oras” report, seven bodies were retrieved from the landfill as of 6:30 p.m.

Mangled metal debris and tons of trash have to be removed from the destroyed facility to facilitate the easier location and safer recovery of those buried in the rubble.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Fulbert Navarro from the BFP Special Rescue Force said the rescue operation was difficult because the debris and waste is so dirty and that even a small cut on the skin could cause a serious infection.

He also said rescuers have to deal with the large collapsed steel structure and water ingress.

In the morning, two bodies were found, while the other 2 were retrieved in the afternoon.

Among them was the body of 40-year-old Kristan Joseph Ople, whose sister’s body, Rowena, was retrieved last January 9.

“Masakit ang dibdib ko. Sa aking takot, muntik na akong mawala sa sarili, nawalan ako ng dalawang pamilya. May anak ako na na-trauma sa takot sa basura na bumigay. Nahirapan siyang magsalita, ngayon lang ulit siya nagsalita. Lubos siyang nasaktan sa nangyari sa dalawang pamilya,” said Daylinda Ople, the victims’ mother.

(My heart breaks. Due to fear, I almost lost myself. I have lost two children. My other child cannot talk due to the trauma by the landslide. We are heartbroken by this tragedy.)

The bodies were found in an advanced state of decomposition, so authorities had difficulty identifying them.

Despite using life-detecting equipment, the BFP said it is still difficult to identify whether the signals are from human or animal such as a mouse or cat.

“We're praying for a miracle. Though, as each day passes kasi, yung chances na makakuha tayo ng mga survivors doon, lalong lumiliit ‘yung chances po,” Navarro said.

(We're praying for a miracle. Though, as each day passes, there is a slimmer chance that we can get survivors.)

In a statement, Prime Waste Solutions (PWS) Cebu expressed its condolences to the affected families and the community.

After the incident, PWS Cebu said it immediately mobilized its emergency response team with the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the BFP, and other agencies to locate the missing employees, while ensuring the safety of all responders.

Based on initial investigation, the incident could have been caused by the overall effect of the earthquakes and its aftershocks last September 2025, followed by the heavy rain brought by Tropical Cyclone Tino in November.

PWS Cebu said it is conducting regular inspections on its landfill cells.

Before the incident, no signs of weakening were reportedly observed in the affected cell, such as cracks or unusual discharge of leachate, the dirty liquid that forms when rainwater or other liquids seep into the garbage or landfill.

PWS Cebu said it is coordinating with experts and authorities for a comprehensive probe of the landfill’s condition.

It also provided financial assistance and psychosocial services to the affected families, including covering their medical and burial expenses.

PWS Cebu also said it complied with the cease and desist order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News