LGU tries to recover cadavers, skeletal remains

DISASTER management officials in Bagumbayan town, Sultan Kudarat are scouring the Allah River for more cadavers and skeletal remains in a Muslim cemetery swept by floods on August 12.

Harry John Hurtada, Bagumbayan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (MDRRMO) chief of operations, said Friday that at least remains of 30 dead buried in the Muslim cemetery, including those recently buried, were retrieved from the river that overflowed following the heavy downpour these past days.

Floodwaters submerged low-lying parts of Bagumbayan since Thursday, including the Muslim burial site in the village of Biwang.

“Our search continues; we are looking for about 10 other cadavers or skeletal remains,” Hurtada said.

The Allah River flows through the Allah Valley leading to the Liguasan marshland passing through the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Maguindanao.

The river originates from upland Lakes Sebu and Holon in South Cotabato. Its tributaries include the Kapingkong River and the Ga-o River and empties into the Maguindanao marshland.

The Allah River Irrigation Project manages the waterway as a source of irrigation for vast rice fields in the adjoining provinces.

MDRRMO personnel, upon consultation with Muslim religious leaders, wrapped the recovered remains with white cloth and buried them at a new location near the original burial site.

The MDRRMO uses drones to locate other cadavers along the Allah River.

Datu Mutalib Dudin, the owner of the Muslim graveyard, has appealed to residents to help locate the missing corpses.

Meanwhile, Bagumbayan Mayor Jonalette de Pedro said about 30 families in Biwang village have been rescued Thursday afternoon when the river overflowed.

About 400 residents, including those from Biwang, are temporarily housed in the town’s covered court and have been given emergency food assistance by the local government, de Pedro said.