Storm 'Isang' leaves three dead, two missing

MANILA, Philippines — Three people died and two others were reported missing due to floods generated by storm “Isang" this week, officials said Saturday.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) identified the fatalities as Joemar Ligar, 13, of North Barangay 160 in Caloocan City, and Lomer Fernando, 32, of Barangay 12, Palpalicong, Batac, Ilocos Norte.

In its early morning report, the NDCC said Ligar drowned when the Tullahan River overflowed, Fernando died of electrocution.

Still missing are Arnold Julian, 9, who fell into a manhole in Silangan, San Mateo in Rizal province; and Joanthan Hormeneta, 22, who slipped while crossing a bridge in Imus, Cavite.

Not included in the NDCC report was a nine-month old baby who, radio reports said, drowned when flood inundated their home in La Paz town of Iloilo province in the central Philippines.

The baby was believed to have fallen off her bed while the whole family was sleeping Thursday night.

NDCC said floods sent a total of 94,856 individuals or 25,555 families from the Ilocos region, Southern Luzon and Metro Manila fleeing to higher grounds.

It said a landslide in Buntong Palay, San Mateo, Rizal destroyed five houses and damaged three more.

Several roads remained impassable to traffic, including those in northern Metro Manila, Mountain Province, Baguio, Cagayan, La Union, and Pangasinan, it said.

Isang spawned torrential rains on Thursday and Friday in the northern and central Philippines.

In its 4 a.m. typhoon update Saturday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (Pagasa) said “Isang" was moving further away from the country.

Even as the eye of the storm was estimated 260 west-northwest of Basco, Batanes, Pagasa said Metro Manila and most of Luzon will continue experiencing rains until Sunday due to the southwest monsoon.

Residents living in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under storm warning signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides, the weather bureau said. - GMANews.TV