Many still trapped under rubble, more deaths tallied

MANILA, Philippines - Rescuers pulled out three people alive from rubble of a collapsed commercial building in Cebu province while others remain trapped following the deadly earthquake on Tuesday.

The 7.2 magnitude quake caused by movements along  East Bohol Fault shattered office buildings and homes and caused many centuries-old churches to crumble.

There seems little hope of finding any large number of survivors from beneath the rubble of leveled buildings, homes and churches.

Many roads and bridges were damaged, making rescue operations difficult.

Regional military commander Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda said rescuers had counted over 100 people dead as of Wednesday morning, while Cebu reported nine fatalities.

The situation is even made more complicated as 11 private and public hospitals in Cebu and Bohol are damaged.

"There are two NGO hospitals (such as Cebu City Medical Center) that are not functional, not operational. Some patients have been transferred to other locations," Health Secretary Enrique Ona said in a press briefing on Wednesday.

Authorities set up tents for those displaced by the quake, while others who lost their homes moved in with their relatives, Bohol Gov. Edgardo Chatto said.

Food and water supply is also running short in affected Bohol areas, notably in Tagbilaran and Loon. - Camille Diola with Associated Press