Landslide in Fairview kills 9; 3 injured

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Non-stop rain caused a landslide in Litex, Barangay Commonwealth, Fairview, near Payatas, killing 9 and leaving 3 injured.

Inside Barangay Commonwealth, the ankle-deep water had turned orange, the color of the soil unearthed by the landslide. Neighbors began weeping when they recognized the body of Jethro Baylon, a young man in his early twenties, who was dug out of the rubble caused by heavy rain in Quezon City. 

Residents say the nine-day rain had already loosened the soil where four homes stood on higher ground in Barangay Commonwealth. Two of the four homes, built with plywood, tin and other light materials, collapsed at 7:30 Tuesday morning and slid down a low hill with 12 people inside. The homes belonged to two families, Baylon and Simbulan. Three were rescued and identified as Lidalyn, 40 and Ma. Lezlyn, 19, from the Simbulan family and Jessie Baylon, 24. The three were taken to the East Avenue Medical Center. At about 10:30 in the morning, the lifeless body of Jethro Baylon was recovered from the site.

Rescuers continued digging by hand although efforts were made more difficult by steadily heavier rains and almost zero visibility. After six hours, eight more members of the Baylon family were recovered. They were identified as Cecilia Baylon, 40; Jessica Baylon, 23; Jayvee Baylon, 20; Jayson Baylon, 14; Jezelle Joy Baylon, 6; Jonathan Castulo, 3; Joshua Castulo, 2; and month-old Jonica Castulo.

Various barangays in Quezon City remain submerged in waters, and public schools had been converted to evacuation centers. – Rappler.com with reporting from Aiah Fernandez.