2 dead, 4 missing after 'Ulysses' cuts thru Bicol


Two people were killed while four others went missing after typhoon "Ulysses" unleashed heavy rains and destructive winds in Bicol Region, an initial report from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) disclosed Thursday.

Rescuers get the stranded residents due to flashflood brought by Typhoon Ulysses at San Mateo Rizal on Thursday (Jansen Romero / MANILA BULLETIN)

Claudio Yucot, regional director of OCD-Bicol, identified the fatalities as Avelino Cabanela, 68, and Salva Mangubat, 70, both from Camarines Norte.

According to a situational report released at 3 p.m., Mangubat slipped and fell head first on the ground while inside his house in Purok 1, Brgy. Gabon in Talisay town at the height of the typhoon.

Earlier, Cabanela was reported to have been found dead on the roof of his house in Purok 1, Brgy. Bagasbas in Daet town.

The causes of death of the two fatalities have yet to be verified by local authorities.

Meanwhile, four persons were reported to be missing during the onslaught of typhoon Ulysses in Camarines Norte. they were identified as Noel Macayo, of Barangay 2 in Mercedes town; and Jessy Boy Alvarez, 33, Roland Alvarez, 48, and Bobby Roderick Masaya, 19, all were residents of Brgy. Pinagtigasan in Vinzons town.

Eight persons from Camarines Norte also suffered from various injuries due to typhoon Ulysses, according to Yucot. Most of them sustained cuts and bruises after being hit by flying debris or fallen trees.

They were identified as Glenn Isaac, 39, Lorna Aguilar, 32, of Mercedes town; Samson Salgado, 54, Marvin Rojas, 31, of Basud town; Rommel Madi, 45, Hilario Vibal, 45, Pio Paracale, 34, of Daet town; and Olive Paul Dichoso, 11, of Vinzons town.

Due to massive flooding and landslides in Bicol, a total of 52,719 families or 188,987 individuals were already displaced. Evacuation centers across the region were also packed with residents who fled from their homes our of fear from the effects of Ulysses.

As of 12 noon, Yucot said 50,582 families or 180,581 individuals were currently staying at evacuation centers.

Yucot sought assistance from other national government agencies in helping them rescue individuals who were trapped in their homes due to rising floods, especially since they are still recovering from the destruction brought about by super typhoon "Rolly" barely two weeks ago.