Rescuers find 1 dead in Rizal landfill collapse

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February 24, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — One of the three people reported missing after a garbage pile collapsed at the sanitary landfill in Rodriguez, Rizal was recovered on Sunday, the local government said yesterday.

Mayor Ronnie Evangelista said the victim, a woman whom he did not identify, was recovered by rescuers beneath a pile of trash in Barangay San Isidro.

“The body of one of those declared missing was retrieved. Her remains are now with her family,” Evangelista told GMA News, as he belied reports on social media that 50 to 100 people were buried during the collapse.

According to Pedro Orogo, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in-charge, said the search and rescue team hired by the landfill’s private operator found the body Sunday afternoon.

“The retrieval operation conducted by the private operator continues for the two remaining missing people,” Orogo said.

Quoting an initial investigation report, Evangelista said the collapse occurred when four heavy equipment were compacting garbage at the landfill on Friday.

He said the bulldozer operators sustained injuries after jumping from the machines during the incident.

Lt. Col. Arwyn Gaffud, Rodriguez police chief, said among those reported missing is a backhoe operator.

Evangelista said the landfill remains operational, noting that the decision on whether to stop the operation of the dumpsite rests with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The operators of the landfill are cooperating with the authorities in the investigation. — Pia Lee-Brago