Pinoy doctor’s phone tracked before flood hits Nepal

MANILA, Philippines — The sister of the 30-year-old Filipino doctor who went missing after a massive flash flood hit Nepal said her brother’s phone was tracked 10 minutes before the disaster occurred last week.

Chiara Manalo, sister of physician Juan Carlos Manalo, said her brother was last tracked in Timure, a border town in the Rasuwa District over 100 miles north of Kathmandu.

“We were informed by concerned Filipinos with connections to individuals or police in Nepal who have been helping us independently,” Chiara told The STAR.

She said there is no substantial update yet regarding her brother, who is still listed as missing.

“We are coordinating with the embassy and advised to hold travel plans to Nepal as of the moment,” Chiara said.

She added that the Manalo family is coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs and National Bureau of Investigation for the DNA profiling of their parents to assist in the identification of her brother.

According to a Reuters report, the latest death toll from the glacial collapse reached 1,220 on Wednesday. At least 4,762 are still missing, including 844 foreigners.

Nepali authorities have mobilized 21,314 personnel to assist in search-and-rescue operations in the area. At least 11,993 people have been rescued so far, officials said.