46 families evacuate to safer place, 19IB to continue operation next day

By CMO Battalion, 8ID PA
January 5, 2011

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar  –  46 families were reported to have been evacuated to safer place after the rains that temporarily stood still three days after New Year continued until today that alarmed the local government of St. Bernard in Southern Leyte.

Mud slides and mud flows are continuously threatening the safety of the localities particularly in barangays Tabon-tabon, Mahayag and Malinao of said municipality.

Three (3) innocent minors were found dead following the unperceived landslide in Purok 4, Brgy Bulod-Bulod of the same town while six (6) are still recuperating in Anahawan District Hospital.

Base on the report from First Lieutenant Jerson Palawan, ground commander of the rescue team of the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion, the 46 rescued families has already been sent to Brgy Catmon where they are temporarily housed.

Lieutenant Palawan also said that there are still stranded families who are now in their respective barangay halls for safety that will be evacuated the next day after the landslides that block their access to those barangay are cleared.  There are also some minor landslides all over the municipality that had been reported.

Troops also fearlessly assisted the evacuees in crossing the forceful current of the muddy river just to assure that no one will be hurt. PNP St. Bernard, MDCC and Municipal Rescue Team are also working hand-in-hand with the troops in withdrawing the families away from danger.