Hunt for survivors called off in Philippines

A villager cuts a log along debris covered shore of Real town yesterday. Deadly flash flood and landslide carrying debris of logs rampaged over several towns in Quezon province during a storm covering villages, roads and shoreline. More than 1,600 were killed while others missing following the back to back storm that hit the northeastren Philippines. PHOTO: AFP

Military officers overseeing the operation and mining engineers who headed a special rescue unit met with local officials Saturday near the site of the fallen building to give them the grim news.

Local officials reluctantly accepted the news despite the discovery Thursday of four people still alive after being buried in the rubble of the two-storey Repador building for 11 days.

"They have already accepted that," said local military commander Captain Gerry Sultan, adding "there is no sign of people still alive."