Philippines: Landfill Collapse in Cebu Kills 1, Dozens Missing
Is this tragedy the result of neglect that impacts vulnerable communities, or are local governments rightly focusing on response and transparency?
Above: Rescue teams searching for victims of a landslide at a landfill in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City, Philippines on Jan. 9, 2026. Image credit: Cheryl Baldicantos/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Poor waste management practices and illegal dumping operations created this tragedy. All too often, it's the poor who bear the risks of mismanaged dumpsites in disasters like this.
Narrative B
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, which is the current focus of this heartbreaking tragedy. Local authorities in the Philippines are committed to maximum transparency and accountability, and investigations into the root cause of this deadly debris collapse will take place in due course.