The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Saturday night, Dec. 18, that it has monitored 31 deaths in the aftermath of typhoon “Odette.”

However, NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal clarified that only four have been validated so far.

“So far, we have confirmed four deaths. However, we received new reports of 27 more fatalities that are still for validation. This brings the total reported deaths to 31,” NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said.

The NDRRMC identified four of the fatalities as Rosalyn Caberte, 53, of Sambag, Iloilo City; Rudulfo Castro, 76, and Virginia Palencio, 62, both residents of Sibunag, Guimaras; and Joemar Sumiling, 32, of La Carlota, Negros Occidental.

Caberte was hit by a bunch of bamboos that fell on her house while Sumiling was crushed by an uprooted mango tree when he alighted from his motorcycle to clear the road of debris while travelling in La Carlota City.

Castro and Palencio, on the other hand, were pinned to death by an uprooted tree that fell on their house at the height of the storm.

Meanwhile, the NDRRMC disclosed that there were 27 people whose deaths were already being validated by its Operations Center.

Sixteen of these were recorded in Cebu province particularly in Mandaue (7), Lapu-Lapu City (6), Cebu City (2), and San Francisco (1).

In Negros Oriental, there were five reported deaths namely in the towns of Bindoy (1) and Manjuyod (4).

There were also five reported deaths in Loon, Bohol while a 14-year-old boy died in San Fernando, Bukidnon.

One person was also missing in San Fernando, Bukidnon although the details of this case are yet to be determined.

Three people were also injured due to Odette which were recorded in Gusa, Cagayan (1) and San Fernando, Cagayan (2).