'Ferdie' exits Philippines

MANILA -- Tropical Depression "Ferdie" continues to move away from the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the state weather bureau announced Saturday.

At 10 p.m. Saturday, the center of Ferdie was spotted 350 kilometers (km) northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Ferdie continues to move west northwest at 15 kilometers per hour (kph), Pagasa said, adding the weather disturbance is expected to be at 650 km west northwest of Laoag City by Sunday night.

The Pagasa has now lowered all public storm warning signals.

Ferdie has brought floods in large areas in Luzon, leaving at least two people dead and six missing and halting traffic in parts of Manila for hours.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Saturday that the body of a man was recovered from flood waters in Laguna province and another person drowned in swollen Pandanga creek in La Union province.

Many roads in the sprawling capital area were also underwater for hours, halting traffic.

Pasay City Mayor Antonio Calixto said some areas near Manila's airport had neck-deep floods, forcing vehicles to take other routes.

The fatalities, meanwhile, were identified as Jonathan Sagodaquiel, 31, of Barangay Wawa, Lumban in Laguna; and Wilcor Rellera, 35, from Barangay San Isidro, Naguillan in La Union.

The missing persons were identified as Junrel Tamario, 20, a resident of Doña Calixta, Barangay San Andres, Cainta, Rizal; Niel Calay, 6, from Barangay Lon-oy, San Gabriel, La Union; and four fishermen, namely: Teodorico Caampued, 60; Robinson Siso, 50; Rogelio Canayon, 35; and Levi Caballero, 23; all from Barangay Victory, Bolinao, Pangasinan.

Fishing boats and other small seacrafts however are still advised not to venture out into the western seaboard of Luzon. (Sunnex/With AP)