Kabayan leaves 4 dead

MANILA, Philippines - The number of fatalities from Typhoon Kabayan has risen to four while 26 fishermen remain missing, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

The latest fatality was identified as drowning victim Gilbert Lopez, 35, a resident of Barangay Gaya-Gaya in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. The other fatalities were residents of Nueva Ecija, Aurora and Pangasinan.

OCD-Ilocos chief Melchito Castro said 191 of the 217 fishermen reported missing in Pangasinan have been rescued by personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy and their civilian maritime partners.

At least 32 fishing boats and seven other vessels capsized at the height of Kabayan last week.

The National Risk Reduction and Management Council said Kabayan also damaged 131 houses and affected 4,565 families or 22,368 individuals in La Union, Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Zambales.

Initial reports showed P1.1 million worth of crops were damaged in Pangasinan and Aurora.