Several children were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) using an old styro box and a dilapidated refrigerator in Zamboanga City and Leyte on Saturday, Oct. 29, after Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng” inundated the Visayas and Mindanao.

The PCG said that some children were trapped in their house in Zamboanga City as non-stop rains caused chest-deep flooding, forcing the rescuers to use makeshift life boats to save them.

According to PCG, some of the children were also carried by some rescuers who could not fix into the styro box to avoid them from getting water-borne diseases.

“Inalalayan din nila ang ilang lumilikas na residente gamit ang lubid na nagsisilbing gabay sa nagpapatuloy na operasyon (They also assisted some residents who were evacuating using a rope that served as their guide in the continuing operation),” the PCG said.

A mother and her baby were also assisted by the PCG in Zamboanga City after their house was penetrated by hip-deep flood. They were brought to an evacuation center.

In Hilongos, Leyte, the PCG used an old and discarded refrigerator to transport some children who were trapped in their houses due to flooding.

The PCG also used a plastic chair to carry a senior citizen who was trapped by knee-deep floods in Barangay Talisay, Catandog, and Lunang.

Rescue

The PCG also conducted rescue operations in Parang, Maguindanao where at least 500 residents were saved.

In Legazpi City, Albay, around 150 residents of Barangay Rawis took shelter at the headquarters of the PCG District Bicol after they were displaced by the typhoon due to flooding.

A Coast Guard rescuer also carried on his back a senior citizen who had to be evacuated in Cuyo, Palawan. More than 300 residents from Barangay Tenga-tenga, and Cabigsing were staying in an evacuation center in Cuyo town.

The PCG said search and rescue operations were ongoing in the areas affected by Paeng while additional personnel were deployed in Metro Manila as.the typhoon is expected to affect the area on Saturday until Sunday.