A handout photo provided by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) shows rescuers working as they continue a search operation at a landslide-hit village in the town of Maco, Davao de Oro province on February 7, 2024. Bureau of Fire Protection, EPA EFE

MANILA (UPDATED) — The landslide in Davao De Oro has left 28 confirmed dead and 33 injured as of Saturday, while rescuers are racing against time to recover 77 others who remain missing in the rubble.

'Miracle' rescue nearly 60 hours after Davao De Oro landslide

Tragedy struck Maco, a mining town in Davao De Oro after a landslide buried the community, of which are mostly employees of Apex Mining Inc. amid heavy rainfall in the area. 

Amid the rubble, authorities managed to rescue a boy, who is recovering and has reunited with his father, the mining company's security guard. The boy's sibling and mother remain missing. 

"Sa ngayon po nagpapatuloy and rescue operations. Ang sabi ng rescuers kasi nag-inform sa mga mayor na 48 hours [lang dapat]. So the governor prior to the expiration of 48 hours she called a meeting with mayors and asked to reconsider na i-extend," Edward Macapili of Davao de Oro's communications and public relations team said. 

Authorities have extended the search for survivors after a recommendation by the local government. 

Macapili said neighboring provinces and cities offered reinforcements to help hasten the search for the remaining 89 missing. 

"Nagre-resume ang search and rescue operations and maraming rescuers na tumulong kasi aside from the PDRRMO ang rescue team ng Davao Del Norte ay pinadala na sa landslide area and all the municipalities pinadala ang kanilang rescue team," Macapili said. 

(Search and rescue operations have resumed. Aside from the disaster management office, Davao Del Norte, and other municipalities also sent in their rescue team.)

According to an update from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the landslide has affected 5,318 people in Maco, where 62 houses have been tallied as destroyed. — AC Coloma, ABS-CBN News