6 dead in Southern Luzon, Western Visayas flooding

Massive flooding due to heavy rains in Southern Luzon and Western Visayas in the past few days has left six persons dead and one missing, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported yesterday.

Combined military troops from the Army, Air Force and the Marines were deployed to Mindoro Oriental to help evacuate trapped residents in Calapan City and nearby villages.

The fatalities were identified as Rogelio Dadivas, 51 of San Jose, Roxas, Palawan; Ramir Almonte, 25, of Labnig, Malinao, Albay; Efren Reyes, 30, of Cadandanan, Bulan, Sorsogon; Domingo Rodriguez, 50, of Barangay Isidro, Bulan, Sorsogon; and Merlina and Jason Basan, both from Palawan.

All six drowned in rampaging floodwaters that hit their villages since last week, the NDCC reported.

A certain Olorico Flores, 14, remained missing after he was swept away by floodwaters in Kalibo, Aklan last Saturday.

Heavy rains spawned by Typhoon Quedan that hit areas of the Bicol Region, Southern Tagalog, and Westenr Visayas, had caused the massive flooding that affected a total 28,092 families.

The NDCC reported that except in Mindoro, floodwaters have started to recede, and the evacuees have started to return to their respective homes.

Army Search and Rescue teams from the 204th Infantry Brigade with three six-by-six trucks, one rubber boat, one V-150, and an Elf-truck are now deployed to Calapan City.

Also assisting in the rescue, evacuation and relief operations are elements of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) 505th rescue team, using helicopters provided by the Philippine Air Force headquarters.

The Philippine Navy has dispatched PS (Patrol Ship) 28 to transport rescue equipment and relief goods to Capalan City.

The Philippine Marines also dispatched several teams and two rubber boats to Calapan ti help in evacuating residents trapped in their houses.

On the other hand, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has set up a rescue and relief coordination center at the Batangas Port to facilitate the flow of relief goods to Mindoro.