By Zehra Ulucak

NAGA, Philippines

The death toll from the landslide in the central Philippines has risen to 22, local media reported Friday.

Dozens are still missing after the landslide occurred on Thursday morning near Naga City in Cebu province.

More than 1,200 villagers were forcibly moved by authorities Thursday night, said Debold Sinas, Police Chief Superintendent. 

Around 270 soldiers and police officers were sent to villages vulnerable to landslides in order to prevent villagers from returning back to their homes under risk. 

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to visit villages hit by the landslide in Naga City on Friday.

The landslide, which buried several houses in Naga City early Thursday, followed by heavy overnight rains.

It is likely that the Typhoon Mangkhut, which killed at least 81 people in the country’s mountainous north, was behind the landslide.