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Dumaguete City, PhilippinesFriday, February 17, 2012
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‘Landslide area a
mass grave site’

BY MARICAR ARANAS

A mass was held yesterday in Barangay Planas, Guihulngan City that was  attended bylocal officials and Governor Roel Degamo.

The landslide areas will now become mass graves for the bodies of the 61 missing victims. All retrieval operations in the landslide area of Barangay Solonggon in La Libertad and Planas in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental have been stopped after  the chances of finding more bodies of landslide victims become too slim.

Degamor extended his condolences andapologies to the families of the victims whose bodies were not recovered.

He said it is now  dangerous for the rescue groups  considering the time element since the earthquake occurred.

He added that  rescuers may endanger  their health after being continuously exposed to decomposing bodies.

Officials said the constant rain and aftershocks have also contributed to the difficulty in the retrieval operations.

Degamo said he felt the sadness of the families but  assured them that the provincial government will help them recover from the disaster.

Officials  leading the retrieval have recommended  the stop  of  operations following the entry of another low pressure area that also brought a lot of rains. It will also become dangerous for the rescue group since the soil in the landslide area isunstable.

Degamo  thanked  therescue groups, organizations, Philippine National Police and the Arm Forces of the Philippinesfortheir help to the victims  of theearthquake.

As of yesterday, the Provincial Disaster risk Reduction Management Council reported a total of 48 bodies recovered  of which  23 were from Planas in Guihulngan City, 9 in La Libertad, 8 in Jimalalud, 3 in Tayasan, 2 in Ayungon,2 in Manjuyod and 1 in Bindoy.*MA

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