MANILA, Nov. 21, 2012?At least three persons are feared to have been buried in a landslide that hit a mining village in Paracale, Camarines Norte yesterday afternoon.
Paracale Mayor Romeo Moreno, in a telephone interview today, said they have been receiving conflicting reports about the number of casualties in the landslide that happened at Barangay Palanas.
“We cannot release the victims’ identities involved in small-scale mining because the local police is still investigating the incident,” Mayor Moreno said.
He added the landslide occurred although there were no rains.
A rescue and retrieval operations have been launched for the victims.
The municipal mayor said he has not given any permit to the miners who are into the business of small-scale mining in his municipality.
A check with the regional police office in Legazpi City revealed they still have to receive updates from Camarines Norte PNP Office in Daet town.
Sketchy reports reached the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines earlier today. (Melo M. Acuna)
