Rescuers halt retrieval
AFTER two weeks of search and retrieval operations, rescuers halt operations at level 070, barangay Ucab in Itogon, Benguet.
Mayor Victorio Palangdan said there are no more rescuers on site.
On Sunday, incident commander General Leopoldo Imbang of the Armed Forces of the Philippines terminated the retrieval operations at level 030.
“I believe it is proper and timely declaration because only three are missing but there are part of bodies recovered maybe these are the three remaining persons until such time that the National
Bureau of Investigation will finish forensic operations,” stated the executive chief.
As of October 1, the number of deaths in Itogon reached 91 with 67 coming from Ucab, 16 in Loacan, four in Poblacion, two in Ampuca, and one each in Dalupirip and Virac.
A temporary burial site was placed in Sitio Keystone where the 11 unidentified bodies remains.
“They did not pull out, they are on call. Anytime any request of retrieval operation, they can be called upon to help, the whole incident command,” he added.
Despite no survivors, the mayor acknowledged the efforts of the rescuers, expressing the gratitude of all the stakeholders of the Itogon for their heroic acts of the rescuers and the donations that was brought to the municipality.
A ritual for the rescuers called the ‘Dawes’ or cleansing is set today for the rescuers who have engaged with the cadavers retrieved on site.
Two pigs will be butchered provided by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, adds Palangdan.
Rescuers are comprised of the 503rd brigade, Police Regional Office, Philippine Air Force, Bureau of Fire Protection, Benguet Provincial Police, LGU and Civilian volunteers composed of the Philex Mining Group, Benguet Corp, DPWH, DOH and individual volunteers.