Members of the Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) conduct river search operations in Talayan, Maguindanao del Sur on Friday as part of the ongoing search and rescue efforts for a senior citizen reported missing after being swept away by floodwaters triggered by continuous heavy rains. (Photo courtesy of Bangsamoro READi)
COTABATO CITY — Bangsamoro emergency responders are racing against time to find missing residents and assist communities battered by relentless rains, as floods and landslides continue to threaten lives across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The Bangsamoro Government’s Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) has deployed its Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to the municipalities of Talayan in Maguindanao del Sur and Calanogas in Lanao del Sur to reinforce local search, rescue, and retrieval operations following days of heavy rainfall.
In Talayan, responders joined the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) and the 6th Infantry Division’s 1st Mechanized Battalion in searching for a 70-year-old man who was swept away by floodwaters. Using a fiber boat, rescue teams combed the river Friday night, with operations set to continue until the missing resident is found.
Bangsamoro READi said another QRT will return to Talayan to sustain the search as floodwaters recede.
The situation in Calanogas has been even more heartbreaking.
Emergency responders worked alongside local government units and security forces for nearly 10 hours in a search and retrieval operation after a rain-induced landslide buried several victims along the town’s highway.
The landslide claimed seven lives, including a pregnant woman, while four children were initially believed trapped beneath the rubble, underscoring the devastating impact of the disaster on families already struggling through days of severe weather.
Beyond search operations, Bangsamoro READi has strengthened emergency response in affected communities by deploying two rubber boats, two rescue vehicles, and a patient transport vehicle to Talayan. The additional assets are supporting evacuations, emergency medical services, and rescue operations in flood-hit villages.
The deployment was carried out under the directive of the Bangsamoro Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC) to ensure that local governments receive immediate operational support during disasters.
Bangsamoro READi said it remains on standby for additional requests from local governments in Talayan, Calanogas, and other affected municipalities as weather conditions continue to pose risks across the region.
The agency is coordinating closely with local disaster councils, security forces, and humanitarian responders to ensure that rescue efforts continue without interruption and that affected families receive timely assistance.
The continuing operations reflect the Bangsamoro Government’s commitment to bringing emergency services to vulnerable communities, with disaster response teams working around the clock under the leadership of BARMM Chief Minister and BDRRMC Chairperson Abdulraof Macacua.
As communities grapple with the aftermath of flooding and landslides, authorities continue to urge residents in high-risk areas to remain vigilant, heed evacuation advisories, and cooperate with local responders as severe weather persists.
