Philippine policeman: Villagers refused advice to flee storm
A Philippine police officer says he tried to persuade residents of a mining camp to move to safety as a powerful typhoon approached, but they appeared unconcerned and refused to leave a day before the storm triggered a huge landslide that buried dozens of people.
Police Senior Inspector Heherson Zambale said in an interview Tuesday that he was shocked to later learn that a landslide had covered a chapel and bunkhouses in the mountain village in Itogon town, where he and other officials had met the victims a day before the storm hit Saturday.
Zambale said the residents insisted they would be safe and that they would remain unless the storm became severe.
Rescuers continue search operations at the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide triggered by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Philippine mayor said that it's unlikely any of the dozens of people thought buried in a huge landslide will be found alive, though rescuers were still digging through the massive mound of mud and debris covering a chapel where they had sheltered. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers have recovered 14 bodies from the avalanche and at least 58 others remain missing.
Police Senior Inspector Heherson Zambale walks at the site where victims are believed to be buried in a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Dozens of people believed buried in the landslide probably did not survive, the mayor of Itogon said Monday, although rescuers kept digging through mud and debris covering a chapel where they had taken shelter. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
A rescue dog searches for victims believed to be buried in a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, the northern Philippines on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. A Philippine mayor said that it's unlikely any of the dozens of people thought buried in a huge landslide will be found alive, though rescuers were still digging through the massive mound of mud and debris covering a chapel where they had sheltered. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
A woman waits for news of her missing relative near the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide triggered by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Philippine mayor said that it's unlikely any of the dozens of people thought buried in a huge landslide will be found alive, though rescuers were still digging through the massive mound of mud and debris covering a chapel where they had sheltered. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers carry a body they recovered at the site where victims are believed to be buried in a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Dozens of people believed buried in the landslide probably did not survive, the mayor of Itogon said Monday, although rescuers kept digging through mud and debris covering a chapel where they had taken shelter. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
A Filipino miner carries remains of structures at the site where victims are believed to be buried in a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Dozens of people believed buried in the landslide probably did not survive, the mayor of Itogon said Monday, although rescuers kept digging through mud and debris covering a chapel where they had taken shelter. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers carry a body they recovered at the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide triggered by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Philippine mayor said that it's unlikely any of the dozens of people thought buried in a huge landslide will be found alive, though rescuers were still digging through the massive mound of mud and debris covering a chapel where they had sheltered. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Filipino miners take a rest as search operations continue at the site where victims are believed to be buried in a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Dozens of people believed buried in the landslide probably did not survive, the mayor of Itogon said Monday, although rescuers kept digging through mud and debris covering a chapel where they had taken shelter. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers retrieve a body from the site where victims are believed to be buried in a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Dozens of people believed buried in the landslide probably did not survive, the mayor of Itogon said Monday, although rescuers kept digging through mud and debris covering a chapel where they had taken shelter. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers carry a body they retrieved at the site where victims are believed to be buried in a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Dozens of people believed buried in the landslide probably did not survive, the mayor of Itogon said Monday, although rescuers kept digging through mud and debris covering a chapel where they had taken shelter. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)