1 dead, 9 missing due to 'Ofel'
-A A +AThursday, October 25, 2012
MANILA (Updated, 6:09 p.m.) -- At least one person was confirmed dead while nine others were missing as Tropical Storm "Ofel" continues to batter several parts of the country, the state disaster agency said Thursday.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) identified the casualty as Sophia M. Recto who died of hypothermia, a condition in which the body has abnormally low temperature.
The newly reported missing individuals were from the affected areas in Visayas and Mindanao, according to the NDRRMC.
The agency identified them as Abet and Ariel Posto and Climente Umban Jr., residents of Tacloban City who were missing as of 2:30 p.m. Thursday.
Also missing as of Thursday afternoon was Muhammad Kanape Guiamad, 11, from Cotabato City.
Rigel Saycon, 18, a resident of Barangay Cogon, Dumajug, Cebu, was also reported missing since Wednesday afternoon.
Two unidentified individuals from General Santos City were also reported missing.
The NDRRMC earlier reported two missing persons identified as Jonrey Acaso, 28, a resident of Barangay Nueva Estrella Sur, Pintuyan, Southern Leyte; and Jonnie Fronda Ocson, 8, a resident of Barangay Canduyong, Odiongan, Romblon.
Acaso, a fisherman, has been missing since 6 p.m. of October 22, while Ocson went missing since 12 p.m. of October 24, the NDRRMC said.
The agency added that there are now 16,473 persons reportedly stranded from different ports in Metro Manila, Central Visayas, Southern Tagalog, Western and Eastern Visayas, Bicol, and Northern Mindanao regions.
Also, 97 trucks and cars, 37 passenger bus, 825 rolling cargoes, 106 vessels and 50 motorbancas were also reported stranded in several ports nationwide.
As of 4 p.m., "Ofel" accelerated while maintaining its strength and was spotted 200 kilometers west of Manila while moving towards the West Philippine Sea, according to the state weather bureau.
Several areas in Luzon are under Signal number 2 including Batangas, Lubang Island, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon.
Those under Signal number 1 are Metro Manila, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Southern Quezon, Burias Island, Masbate, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo and Calamian Group of Islands.
The NDRRMC said "Ofel" has affected a total of 296 families or 957 persons in five municipalities in Eastern Visayas. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)
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