‘CARINAS’ WRATH: PREGNANT WOMAN, 5 OTHERS BURIED ALIVE IN BATANGAS, PAMPANGA LANDSLIDES

A PREGNANT woman and six others, including four minors, were buried alive in landslides that hit Agoncillo in Batangas, and Angeles City in Pampanga during the onslaught of habagat enhanced by Typhoon “Carina.”

In Agoncillo, Batangas, the victims were identified as  Denden Malipol Rimas, a 28-year-old pregnant woman; her nine-year-old daughter Samantha Rimas Mamugay;  and siblings Lyca Malipol Rimas, 16; and Aiza Malipol Rimas, 13.

The victims were inside their house made up of bamboo at Sitio Manaloin Bgy. Subic Ilaya when the landslide happened.

The Rimas family were buried under rocks and mud in the aftermath of the continuous rains which loosened the soil in their area.

Investigation showed the neighbors noticed the landslide at 5:30 a.m. yesterday but police said the incident happened around 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

The incident  prompted the local government to order the forced evacuation of residents in the area due to the possibility of more landslides.

Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas placed the province of Batangas  under the State of Emergency due to the effects of Typhoon “Carina” and the enhanced habagat.

Earlier, Mandanas declared the suspension of classes in all levels in both public and private schools in the province on Wednesday.

In Angeles City, a five-year-old girl and a 23-year-old woman yon Wednesday also died while one was injured in a landslide  in Bgy. Pampang.

A report to Police Regional Office 3  director Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr, Angeles City Police director Col. Amado Mendoza Jr. identified the fatalities as Sweet Dimple Magat Pelayo, 23,and Diana Joy Pelayo Cerezo, 5.

The injured was Nestor Manio Cerezo Jr..

The three are residents of Purok 5B, Bgy. Pampang, Angeles City.

The bodies of the victims were retrieved around  9:15 a.m. also on Wednesday.

Landslides and soil erosions were also reported in Pinsao Pilot, Aurora Hill, Bakakeng Central in Baguio due to continuous rains brought about by Typhoon “Carina.”

Earlier in the day, Mayor Benjamin Magalong urged residents to remain alert and report to authorities any incidents that may endanger their lives.

Heavy rains brought about by Typhoon “Carina” lashed the country, triggering landslides and massive flooding which forced the suspension of work and classes in many parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil mobilized all available police vehicles and search-and-rescue equipment and teams to help the affected people.  

As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) issued the  Red Warning because of torrential rains brought by habagat enhanced by “Carina.”

The weather bureau said the strong rains could cause more flooding and landslides in Metro Manila and the provinces of Rizal, Bataan, Pampanga and Zambales.

Among the regions affected by the heavy rains are the Ilocos-Pangasinan, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa region, Bicol and some parts of Visayas and Mindanao.