1 dead, 1 missing as 'Helen' brings rains

 MANILA, Philippines - Tropical storm “Helen” has claimed its first fatality as it continued to bring rains to various parts of the country, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday.

In a report released at 3 p.m., NDRRMC said a certain Armando Borbon, 37, died of drowning in Pangasinan last Monday after falling in a flooded rice field.

The victim reportedly experienced epileptic seizure before the accident took place.

One person was reported missing in San Fernando, La Union.

NDRRMC said a certain Bonifacio Cabilan went on a fishing venture at the coastal waters of barangay Carlatan last Monday but failed to return home.

NDRRMC has been placed on red alert and is continuously monitoring the situation in areas that lie along the expected path of the storm.

The agency has also ordered its regional units to undertake precautionary measures and to initiate pre-emptive evacuation of residents in low-lying and mountainous areas if needed.

“Fishing boats and other small sea craft are advised not to venture out into the seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon and Visayas,” NDRRMC said.

The military has alerted its field units and has pre-positioned some of its assets for possible rescue operations.

The Army’s 902nd Infantry Brigade in Bicol has pre-positioned three disaster response task units and 16 military trucks.

The Air Force tactical Operation Group 5 has also readied a disaster response unit composed of seven enlisted personnel and a carrier truck.

The Air Force Tactical Operations Group and the Philippine Military Academy Disaster Response Task Group have been placed on alert.

NDRRMC said the Philippine National Police has also activated its disaster response plan “Oplan Saklolo” to respond to affected residents.

Police personnel in Bicol have placed on standby two teams, one truck and two patrol cars for possible deployment.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon that caused floods and heavy rains in Luzon last week has so far claimed 95 lives.

A total of 3.74 million persons or 825,018 families have been affected by the weather condition.

The southwest monsoon also left 11 persons injured and seven others missing.