Muntinlupa gov’t seals off creek of death

Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi has issued an order prohibiting residents from returning to their improvised houses near waterways following the drowning of 24-year-old man and his two young nieces.

Jet Pabilonia, head of the Muntinlupa City Disaster and Coordinating Council (MCDCC), said Fresnedi gave instructions to cordon off the creek in Barangay Cupang after it swelled from the continuous rains last Thursday.

"However, despite the effort of the city government to seal off the area as well as repeated warnings that it is a classified danger zone, residents have insisted on returning and rebuilding their shanties," Pabilonia said. "If they continue defying the order, a demolition activity might be undertaken anytime soon."

Fresnedi has issued an appeal for the city’s urban poor families to refrain from settling near waterways to avoid similar incidents in the future.

In an earlier report, the MCDCC said areas affected by heavy flooding were Barangays Tunasan, Poblacion, Bayanan, Cupang, Sucat and Buli. Several houses, particularly in Cupang, were swept away.

Alexander Bihag and his nieces Alison and Angel Analupa, one and two years old, respectively, were carried by the strong current during the heavy downpour on Thursday. Bihag and the girls were living in a house near the Cupang creek.

His body and that of the older child were recovered by rescue teams of the Muntinlupa City government last Saturday.

The body of the other girl has yet to be found.

MCDCC officials said they would continue search operations only until tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Marines and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said they have decided to call off the own search and rescue operations.

Pabilonia said they have gotten in touch with the girl’s family and informed them of developments .