ILOILO CITY — Fallen trees damaged by Typhoon Odette have killed four people Friday, December 17, in three separate places: Guimaras province, Iloilo province, and Iloilo City.
Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin confirmed that an elderly couple were killed in Sibunag town. Identified as casualties were 76-year-old Rodolfo Castro and his 62-year-old wife Virginia Palencia. The elderly couple lived in a nipa hut in Ravina village. Due to the strong winds from Odette, a coconut tree fell and hit the nipa hut, where the two were sleeping. Gumarin said the couple’s body was only discovered in the morning.
In Iloilo province, a security guard of University of the Philippines (UP Visayas) in Miag-ao town was also killed by a fallen tree. This was confirmed by UP Visayas Chancellor Clement Camposano. It was unclear what time the security guard died as his body was only recovered in the morning. Camposano said the security guard was assigned at the reservoir and the tree did hit the guard house.
In Iloilo City, a tree also killed a 54-year-old woman. The victim was identified as Rose Caberte. The Caberte residence in Sambag village in Jaro district was crushed by a tree adjacent to the house. The husband was also injured, but survived.