19IB backs retrieval operations in Kananga landslide

By 19th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
March 4, 2013

KANANGA, Leyte – The Army unit who responded to the landslide incident in Brgy. Lim-ao, Kananga, Leyte on March 1 is optimistic that there are still survivors, even on the fourth day of retrieval operations in the area.

This was the mind-set of Lt. Col. Joel Alejandro Nacnac, Commanding Officer of 19IB after the recovery of the sixth cadaver around 5:30 p.m. yesterday.

No documents or personnel belongings were found when the cadaver was discovered. But inquiries are already initiated by rescuers and local authorities in order to identify the body.

As of today, 19IB accounted 17 survivors from the incident. Ten of which were immediately brought to the hospital the same day when the incident occurred. On the other hand, death toll is now raised to six leaving at least nine more that were still missing.

“We will continue to secure the area and aid other rescuers in the retrieval operations. We hope that there are still left alive from this unfortunate incident”, Lt. Col. Nacnac said.

Lt. Col. Nacnac revealed it was his men patrolling the area who first responded the incident around 9:50 a.m. on Friday, March 1.

“A platoon of soldiers led by Lt. Amin Macalintangue and his men heard an extremely loud sound prompting them to quickly scour the area which is at the vicinity of PAD 403 of the Energy Development Corporation in Upper Mahi-ao, Brgy. Lim-ao, Kananga, Leyte”, Lt. Col. Nacnac added.