The number of persons who died due to typhoon “Odette” has increased to three, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday afternoon, Dec. 17.
PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Roderick Alba said two fatalities were recorded in Northern Mindanao (Region 10) – a 14-year-old boy who died after being pinned by a fallen tree in Brgy. Dao, San Fernando, Bukidnon; and a certain Nestor Virtudazo Salvana, 55, who was also hit by an uprooted tree in Purok 5, Brgy. Mosangot, Binuangan, Misamis Oriental.
Meanwhile, another fatality was recorded in Western Visayas (Region 6) although the PNP has yet to release further details about it.
These are feared to further rise as initial reports of 10 more fatalities were reported by the local disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) offices of Cebu and Negros Occidental to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Nagiel Banacia, head of Lapu-Lapu City DRRM office in Cebu, said there were six reported casualties in the city – four were in Brgy. Basak while two others, including a Korean national, died in Olango Island.
In Negros Occidental, the local DRRM office said two persons died in Moises Padilla town, and one each in San Carlos and La Carlota.
The NDRRMC said it was already validating the reports.