35 Die in KAYAN Mudslide

On 08 October 2009, a day after its feast of the Holy Rosary, Kayan Catholic Mission lost 35 of its people under a mudslide a few meters away from the Holy Rosary Catholic Church where Fr. Andrew Claver was waiting for some of those very people to evacuate to his Rectory.
"I went to see them at about 5 0'clock," Fr. Andrew recounted. "I even told them to move into the Rectory for the rains continued to pour heavily." "Obserbaran mi pay bassit, Apo." ("We will wait and see for a little while, Father") They told their parish priest. Not very long after Fr. Andrew had gone back to the Rectory, there was sound of earth slide at about 6:15 pm. 18 houses were trapped under a big portion of the mountain that moved down to cover the village by the hillside. Initially, 35 people were feared to be covered alive by the earth, including Mr. Lecio Gaoay, the young and energetic principal of the Holy Rosary Catholic School, together with his wife and children.
Learning about the news, Bishop Rudy Beltran cancelled his appointments for the next days and went to see Kayan Catholic Mission on 09 October 2009. With him were Frs. Bento Tamang, Tugs de Guzman, Manny Samonte, Allen Basilio and Rev. Ricky Samonte. Fr. William Bilag was seen to have visited the Catholic Mission coming ahead of the group.
Meanwhile, Bontoc Catholic Mission led by Fr. John Habawel organized its Parish Council and lay leaders as a "relief operation center" in support of the people of Kayan. Late in the afternoon of 09 October, Fr. John went also to Kayan to see the tragedy.
It was amazing how in the midst of a tragic event, people from the BECs of Kayan, including those from the outside came in droves to help in whatever way they could. Men started making coffins for the victims, while women started cooking for those who were busy excavating the earth. Health workers attended to the dead bodies found, while some were busy manning the information desk. Men, young and old, came with their shovels and tools to help in retrieving the trapped bodies. Children were also seen clearing the streets of mud and rocks.
On 10 October 2009, Bishop Rudy together with the Mountain Province District priests mentioned celebrated a Mass at the gymnasium. At that time, 22 people had been recovered under the mudslide. Fr. Armand Quindo was also in the Mass.
According to Bishop Rudy, assistance from different groups had begun to arrive, including that of Caritas Manila and a pledge from the Apostolic nuncio Archbishop Edward Adams.