They're eerie photographs, probably the final images of a few Filipino villagers standing placidly outside low-slung buildings a day before the green mountainside behind them collapsed on that spot. The massive landslide buried dozens of poor miners and their families as Typhoon Mangkhut rampaged across the country's north.
A flimsy umbrella held over his head, a village leader is talking to police officers, who are wearing hard hats, boots and raincoats in the photographs obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press from the Philippine police.
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They're eerie photographs, probably the final images of a few Filipino villagers standing placidly outside low-slung buildings a day before the green mountainside behind them collapsed on that spot. The massive landslide buried dozens of poor miners and their families as Typhoon Mangkhut rampaged across the country's north.
Banawol's body was among more than a dozen dug up by rescuers from the avalanche of mud and earth in Itogon in Benguet province. More than 50 are missing, Zambale said.
He said that local officials could decide on the best step to take if signs point to an imminent peril and people remain unperturbed.
Miner Fidel Ngipol said he understood and acknowledged that mining is dangerous, but that the government should help thousands of poor miners find livelihoods. "This is lucrative, even if it's hard, but when we earn, it's enough and can sustain our family," Ngipol said.
Mangkhut left at least 81 people dead with 70 others missing, police said. Most of those occurred in Benguet and outlying mountain provinces, where about 100 landslides were recorded, with the avalanche in Itogon the largest and deadliest.
Residents carry food supplies along a landslide area near the site where dozens of victims are believed to have been buried in Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Jerome Pilaan looks over the site where his son has been missing after a landslide struck the area burying dozens of other victims at a mining village in Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers continue with search operations at the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Relatives cook bananas as they wait for news near the site where dozens of residents are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Residents walk along a landslide area near the site where victims are believed to have been buried in Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who tried to persuade residents of a mining camp to move to safety as the powerful typhoon approached said Tuesday they refused to leave, and a day later the storm triggered a huge landslide that buried dozens of people. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
A landslide is seen beside homes near the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
A resident walks on the edge of a wall to avoid muddy waters near the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who tried to persuade residents of a mining camp to move to safety as the powerful typhoon approached said Tuesday they refused to leave, and a day later the storm triggered a huge landslide that buried dozens of people. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Coffins of still unidentified victims are placed inside a vehicle after it was recovered near the site where dozens more are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers continue search operations at the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who tried to persuade residents of a mining camp to move to safety as the powerful typhoon approached said Tuesday they refused to leave, and a day later the storm triggered a huge landslide that buried dozens of people. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
The coffin of a still unidentified victim is carried after it was recovered near the site where dozens more are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers continue search operations at the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers arrive to join the continuing search for missing bodies at the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers arrive to join the continuing search for missing bodies at the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers continue with search operations at the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Coffins of still unidentified victims are placed inside a vehicle after it was recovered near the site where dozens more are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Senior Inspector Heherson Zambale, who is seen in the photographs, told the AP that he and other officials were trying to persuade village leader Edwin Banawol to evacuate the high-risk mountainside area on Friday with dozens of mostly small-scale gold miners and their families. The authorities worried about the approach of the powerful typhoon. Banawol and the other villagers refused.
In this photo provided by Itogon Philippine National Police, police officers and members of the Bureau of Fire and Protection, talk to Edwin Banawol (partly seen at center in yellow shirt), a leader of a mining group, to convince him and the other miners to abandon the bunkhouse which also serves as their chapel and evacuate to safety on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, as Typhoon Mangkhut approaches northeastern Philippines. Police Senior Inspector Heherson Zambale told the AP that he and other authorities were persuading a village leader Banawol, to leave that high-risk mountainside area Friday, Sept. 14, with dozens of mostly small-scale gold miners and their families to a safer evacuation camp in northern Itogon town as the powerful typhoon approached. Banawol and other villagers refused to leave immediately. Banawol's body was among more than a dozen dug up by rescuers in the avalanche in Itogon, with more than 50 more missing, Zambale said.(Itogon Philippine National Police via AP)
Banawol's body was among more than a dozen dug up by rescuers from the avalanche of mud and earth in Itogon in Benguet province. More than 50 are missing, Zambale said.
It was one of the worst calamities to hit the disaster-prone Philippines this year and refocused attention on a persistent dilemma: What to do about the large number of poor who live and work on or near steep mountains, volcanoes, earthquake faults and storm-vulnerable coastlines out of desperation?
"Poverty should not be a hindrance for people not to know and for them not to act," said Renato Solidum, a senior government official who has done extensive studies and work on natural disasters and ways to minimize risks.
FIEL - In this Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, file photo, Philippine 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. Zambale, who tried to persuade residents of a mining camp to move to safety as a powerful typhoon approached said Tuesday they refused to leave, and a day later the storm triggered a huge landslide that buried dozens of people. (AP PhotoAaron Favila, File)
He said that local officials could decide on the best step to take if signs point to an imminent peril and people remain unperturbed.
While the Philippines has made headways in mapping natural hazards, information about dangers in a specific area could be made more accessible, Solidum said, citing a proposed project called "Hazard Hunter," which informs residents about the natural perils in their community on their cellphones.
Environmental Secretary Roy Cimatu ordered all small-scale mining in Benguet and outlying provinces stopped indefinitely following the disaster in Itogon, where people had gone to mine gold and settled in perilous mountainside shantytowns.
FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, file photo, Philippine 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. Zambale, who tried to persuade residents of a mining camp to move to safety as a powerful typhoon approached said Tuesday they refused to leave, and a day later the storm triggered a huge landslide that buried dozens of people. (AP PhotoAaron Favila, File)
Miner Fidel Ngipol said he understood and acknowledged that mining is dangerous, but that the government should help thousands of poor miners find livelihoods. "This is lucrative, even if it's hard, but when we earn, it's enough and can sustain our family," Ngipol said.
Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan told reporters he had ordered the evacuation of residents but some, including the villagers who sought refuge in the chapel and bunkhouses, refused. Some even laughed at police officers and told them their temporary shelter was safe, he said.
Forcibly removing people from their homes could open government forces to human rights complaints, said Palangdan.
FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, file photo, 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. Zambale, who tried to persuade residents of a mining camp to move to safety as a powerful typhoon approached said Tuesday they refused to leave, and a day later the storm triggered a huge landslide that buried dozens of people. (AP PhotoAaron Favila, File)
Mangkhut left at least 81 people dead with 70 others missing, police said. Most of those occurred in Benguet and outlying mountain provinces, where about 100 landslides were recorded, with the avalanche in Itogon the largest and deadliest.
A rescuer rappels down the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Residents carry food supplies along a landslide area near the site where dozens of victims are believed to have been buried in Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Jerome Pilaan looks over the site where his son has been missing after a landslide struck the area burying dozens of other victims at a mining village in Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers continue with search operations at the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Relatives cook bananas as they wait for news near the site where dozens of residents are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Residents walk along a landslide area near the site where victims are believed to have been buried in Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who tried to persuade residents of a mining camp to move to safety as the powerful typhoon approached said Tuesday they refused to leave, and a day later the storm triggered a huge landslide that buried dozens of people. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
A landslide is seen beside homes near the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
A resident walks on the edge of a wall to avoid muddy waters near the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who tried to persuade residents of a mining camp to move to safety as the powerful typhoon approached said Tuesday they refused to leave, and a day later the storm triggered a huge landslide that buried dozens of people. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Coffins of still unidentified victims are placed inside a vehicle after it was recovered near the site where dozens more are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers continue search operations at the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who tried to persuade residents of a mining camp to move to safety as the powerful typhoon approached said Tuesday they refused to leave, and a day later the storm triggered a huge landslide that buried dozens of people. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
The coffin of a still unidentified victim is carried after it was recovered near the site where dozens more are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers continue search operations at the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers arrive to join the continuing search for missing bodies at the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers arrive to join the continuing search for missing bodies at the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Rescuers continue with search operations at the site where victims are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Coffins of still unidentified victims are placed inside a vehicle after it was recovered near the site where dozens more are believed to have been buried by a landslide set off by Typhoon Mangkhut as it lashed across Itogon, Benguet province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. A Philippine police officer who persuaded villagers to move to safety as Typhoon Mangkhut menacingly approached says they did not seem alarmed and refused to follow, with some smiling, a day before the powerful storm set off a huge landslide that buried dozens of the villagers. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
