Another landslide in Maco, Compostela Valley has claimed the lives of at least 11 people, barely twelve hours after an initial incident claimed seven people in the same area.

The second landslide at Barangay Masara occurred around 3 a.m. Sunday, and left 11 dead, 13 missing - including Barangay Capt. Jovencio Anquera - and 19 injured.

An earlier landslide, which occurred at around 4 p.m. Saturday, claimed the lives of six people and left seven others injured. Seven others are missing.

The toll of the two consecutive landslides now stands at 17 dead, 20 missing, and 26 injured.

Thirteen houses and the Masara barangay hall were buried in the initial landslide, and 28 more homes were buried in the second, and bigger, incident. Many of the victims are said to be entombed inside their houses.

Because of the lack of equipment, rescue personnel are now being aided by residents in their rescue and retrieval operations.

The Office of Civil Defense Region XI reported 17 of the injured are currently being treated at the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City, while the 25th Infantry Battalion of the Eastern Mindanao Command are continuosly searching the area for other survivors.

Around 900 have been evacuated from the area due to the landslides, and are temporarily staying at the gym of neighboring Barangay Elizalde.

The incidents are blamed on continuous rains and small-scale mining activities in the area.

Back in 2007, two landslides occurred in the same area. The first one occurred in August 2007, and claimed the lives of ten people. The second one occurred a month later. With reports from Vincent Vertucio and Vina Araneta, ABS-CBN Davao, and dzMM