KABUGAO, Apayao, Philippines – Two people died, while one is missing after a massive landslide hit an area in Sitio Purag, Barangay Badduat, Kabugao, Apayao this morning, November 20.

Mayor Bensmar Ligwang and Vice Mayor Frederick Amid personally led the Search, Rescue, and Retrieval Operations together with the MDRRMC in responding after receiving reports of the landslide incident.

According to Ligwang, the two bodies were recovered at around 11:37 a.m., identified as Ezra Paul Olsim, 24, of Baguio City and Alyas Nestor,”27, of Itogon, Benguet, while search operations are ongoing for another victim identified as Alyas Marlo.

It was learned that the landslide incident was the result of continuous heavy rains brought by the Northeast Monsoon intensified by the shear line, which softens the slopes and increases the risk of landslides in the mountainous areas.

Barangay Badduat, where the landslide occurred, is geographically classified as one of the mountainous areas in Apayao that is considered a landslide-prone area, according to the Apayao-Pacific Disaster Center.

Ligwang called on residents of upland areas threatened by landslides to temporarily evacuate the area, as rains continue to be felt in the province