Zamboanga peninsula flash floods leave 3 dead, 1 missing

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Several areas in at least seven towns in the Zamboanga peninsula were inundated by flash floods, leaving three persons dead and one missing, authorities said yesterday.

The Office of the Civil Defense said torrential rains spawned by the tailend of Typhoon Lando triggered the flash floods.

Merlina Coral, 51, was sleeping when their house was swept away by floodwaters in Barangay Salaogan in Dimataling, Zamboanga del Sur. Her granddaughter, Marjorie Josol Lorenia, 6, remains missing.

Arian Asong Flores, 1 year and 5 months old, fell from their house and was swept away by floodwaters in Barangay Logpond in Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Tirso Olasiman, 73, was also swept away by strong current while crossing a river in Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte. 

Authorities said the police in Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur rescued 10 other people, including eight children. More than 600 houses in the town were submerged in floodwaters, forcing the evacuation of at least 2,000 residents.

Several residents were also evacuated in Barangay Basalem after it was hit by a landslide on Thursday.

The Police Regional Office 9 said the towns of Buug in Zamboanga Sibugay and Dimataling, Lapuyan, Dinas and San Miguel in Zamboanga del Sur were also affected by flash floods.