Search for bodies ends at Philippine landslide village

The search for bodies in a central Philippine village entombed by a landslide officially ended today, with a commemorative ceremony scheduled to provide closure to the tragedy.

Provincial Governor Rosette Lerias said the 750-acre wasteland that was the village of Guinsaugon will be turned into a sanctuary where no new construction will be allowed due to safety and sanitation concerns.

“The Philippine army will end the search today, but will not leave the area,” Lerias said.

A total of 140 bodies had been retrieved, with the last one found ON Tuesday, and 972 people were still missing and feared dead, she said.

Tomorrow, a Mass will be held at the edge of the site, and posthumous awards will be given to government workers who died in the line of duty and to those who survived, she added.

A helicopter will fly a priest over the area to sprinkle holy water to bless it.