7 Killed as Heavy Rains Devastate Davao Region

At least seven people have been confirmed dead following two separate landslide incidents triggered by relentless torrential rains in the southern Philippines. The disasters struck the provinces of Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro, burying homes and displacing dozens of families.

Local authorities and the Philippine news network ABS-CBN reported on Friday, February 20, 2026, that the most severe incident occurred in Mati City, Davao Oriental. A massive wall of mud and debris slammed into a residential area, completely burying a house and claiming the lives of four members of a single family.

Multiple Casualties in Monkayo

In a second separate incident, three more fatalities were recorded in the Monkayo district of Davao de Oro. Rescue teams working in difficult terrain reported that the landslide destroyed several homes, leaving survivors in urgent need of shelter and medical assistance.

Monsoon Rains and Rescue Efforts

The Davao region has been battered by continuous heavy downpours over the past 48 hours, causing soil saturation and making mountainous areas extremely unstable. Disaster management units have warned of potential further slides as the rain persists. Emergency crews are currently on the ground conducting search and recovery operations, though their efforts are being hampered by muddy conditions and damaged infrastructure.

The Philippine government has urged residents in high-risk zones to evacuate immediately as the monsoon-induced rainfall continues to threaten the eastern and southern parts of the archipelago.