LANDFILL CASUALTY. A sanitary landfill slide in Barangay New Carmen, Tugbok District, Davao City, on Wednesday afternoon (May 20, 2026) left one person dead, two injured, and two missing. Police identified the deceased as scavenger Cristel, 31, and the missing as Luisa, 78, and Rosita, 67. (Photo from DCPO)
DAVAO CITY – Search and rescue operations are ongoing for two individuals who went missing after the sanitary landfill slide in Barangay New Carmen, Tugbok District on Wednesday afternoon, which also left one person dead and two others injured.
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) identified the deceased as Cristel, 31, a scavenger. Those missing were identified as Luisa, 78, and Rosita, 67.
Authorities said the collapse occurred at about 1:15 p.m. when a mountain of garbage gave way due to water buildup from heavy rains, burying a nearby house.
DCPO chief Col. Peter Madria said personnel of Police Station Maa, led by Station Commander Maj. Philip Dave Uddin immediately responded and coordinated with partner agencies to conduct search, rescue, and retrieval operations.
Madria said the DCPO continues to work closely with the City Government of Davao, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Public Safety and Security Office, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, barangay officials, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and Urban Search and Rescue teams to ensure the safety of affected residents and orderly management of the incident site.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is also assisting affected families with immediate support.
“DCPO extends its heartfelt sympathy to the families affected by this unfortunate incident. We assure the public that all responding units and partner agencies are continuously working together to conduct search and retrieval operations and to ensure the safety of the community,” Madria said.
He urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with authorities, and strictly observe safety measures, especially in areas vulnerable to landslides and flooding during heavy rains.
The DCPO also encouraged communities near high-risk zones to immediately coordinate with barangay officials and disaster response teams if they observe signs of soil movement, flooding, or ground instability.
As of press time, retrieval operations continued. (PNA)