12 dead as 'Gener' slowly moves out of Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Twelve people have been confirmed killed from the onslaught of typhoon "Gener" (international codename Saola), the government's disaster response agency said Wednesday.

The National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) identified the latest fatalities as Prisca Pacyaya, 64 and Clinton Idio, 15, who both died in landslides in Benguet province; Maricel Manzo, 11 of Romblon, who died after being hit by a fallen branch in the head; and Edna Ibañes, 40, who was killed by an uprooted coconut tree.

The other fatalities were identified as Ieyan Hayo, 28; Ernest Flores, 60; Teodoro Flores, 40; Bernard Buzon, 35; Merly Daginguinoo, 45; Danieles Hipolito; Ronald Necor, 33; and Renante Cimafranca Jauculan Jr., 10.

The victims died at the height of the typhoon, which pummeled Luzon and parts of Visayas and Mindanao with strong winds and heavy rains, that caused flooding and landslides.

The typhoon displaced more than 32, 000 families and affected a total of 63,670 families six regions in Luzon, two in Visayas and three in Mindanao.

The municipalities of Mabitac in Laguna province; Bacoor in Cavite; Tanza in Cavite; Ternate in Cavite and Obando, Bulacan have declared a state of calamity.

The NDRRMC said that several areas in Metro Manila, Cagan Valley, Ilocos region, Central Luzon and Soccsksargen remain flooded.

As of 4 a.m., the typhoon's center was estimated at 270 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 150 kph.

The LPA, meanwhile, was estimated at 270 kilometers northwest of Laoag.

The combined effects of the two weather disturbances further enhanced the southwest monsoon. Parts of Visayas will also experience moderate to heavy rains, PAGASA said.

The typhoon was still moving north at a slow pace of 7 kilometers per hour. It is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday or Friday.

Public storm warning signal No. 2 was hoisted over Batanes Group of Islands, Calayan Group of Islands and Babuyan Group of Islands. Signal No. 1 is up over the rest of Cagayan province and Apayao.