‘Pedring’ unleashes floods, claims lives

TYPHOON “Pedring” yesterday unleashed its fury in Metro Manila and across Luzon killing nine people, stranding passengers, toppling trees and electric posts, canceling flights and port operations.

Strong winds toppled a concrete wall of a warehouse pinning to death an old woman and her three grandchildren in Valenzuela City while a billboard frame on the corner of Buendia Avenue and Osmena Highway, Makati collapsed and crushed a passing vehicle wounding its two occupants.

The fatalities in Valenzuela City were identified as Demitilla Maya, 65; Jay delos Santos, 6; James delos Santos, 3 and Rommel Amarias, 4.

The victims reportedly took shelter inside the warehouse of the Ever Alliance Industrial in Barangay Mapulang Lupa, after the rain destroyed the roof of their house.

The warehouse caretaker, Juanito Gualberto, allowed them in.

Rescuers had to use a backhoe to pull the victims from the rubble at 1:30 p.m.

Meanwhile the names of the two wounded victims in the billboard crash were not immediately available.        The Metro Manila traffic base said the billboard trusses also hit a passenger bus and a sports utility vehicle.

In Bulacan, a 6-year-old girl also died while five members of her family were injured when a huge mango tree fell on their house in Barangay Muzon, San Jose del Monte City.

Rica Mae Catitay died while being rushed to the Sapang Palay General Hospital where the other members of the family were also taken for treatment.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Chawn Andrei Daliora, 1 year and 10 months,  of Cabugao, Bato, Catanduanes, died after  he fell into a creek near Bato River in Catanduanes.

Another fatality was identified as Roselyn Bore Bella who was killed when pinned by a tamarind tree in Candaba, Pampanga, while another fallen tree crashed to death Willy Baldevico, 36,  in Zambales.

In Olongapo City, Zambales, Brian Anthony Landeza Sumanga died in a landslide.

As of 10 a.m., a report submitted to Philippine National Police chief Director General Nicanor A. Bartolome said 45 persons were rescued in various areas in Luzon.

The report said 1,267 families were displaced in Bicol region;  59 in Cagayan Valley;  24 in Central Luzon;  and five in Calabarzon.

Bartolome alerted all police regional offices in areas affected by Tropical Storm “Pedring” to make available all personnel and resources for disaster response operations.

Bartolome also activated the PNP Sub-Committee on Disaster Management under the PNP National Disaster Operations Center in Camp Crame to coordinate all PNP disaster response operations at the provincial and regional levels.

Power outages were reported in Central and Northern Aurora, some parts of Rizal and Metro Manila.

Traffic snarled along NCBA Fairview, Agham Road and Jordan Plains in Quezon City after strong winds toppled electric posts.

PNP Highway Patrol Group director Chief Supt. Leonardo A. Espina dispatched mobile and motorcycle patrols to help in the road-clearing operations and assist traffic.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Alan LM Purisima said at least 62 families were evacuated in different parts of the metropolis as of 8 a.m.

Authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport canceled 41 domestic flights.

In Southern Leyte, eight fishermen were rescued after their boats were destroyed by big waves while fishing in the waters off Limasawa and Panaon Islands.

Ro-Ro vessels stopped operations in Allen and San Isidro Northern Samar, Marinduque, Roxas, Mindoro Oriental and Mindoro Occidental-Abra de Ilog.

The Montenegro and Starlite ferries weighing 1,000 tons and above were allowed to operate from Calapan to Batangas ports.

In Quezon province, the Villa River overflowed making the Baler-Bongabong Road impassable to traffic. At least 204 passengers were stranded at the Dalahican Port.

Four persons were reported missing. They were identified as Neil Bandariel, 32 , Victor Cararot, 37, both lost while crossing along Ragay Gulf in San Narciso, Quezon; Eddie Morpe of Alabat, Quezon and fisherman Christopher Madhos, 37, from  Baler, Quezon.

In Bicol, the Tabaco City International Port suspended its operations leaving 390 passengers stranded while in Pilar Port, 180 passengers. At least 3,500 passengers, 85 trucks, 24 buses and 35 small motor vehicles were stranded in Matnog port.