Death toll rises to 5 in Cebu
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – The heavy downpour that triggered landslides and flooding in Cebu since Saturday dawn has already claimed the lives of five people, disaster officials said yesterday.
The fifth fatality was identified as Billy Malibong, 28, a resident of Sitio Riverside, barangay Canduman, Mandaue City. Malibong’s body was found late Monday afternoon at the end of Butuanon River, but it was only retrieved yesterday morning due to the bad weather.
Jolito Malibong positively identified the body as that of his brother, Billy. He said Billy tried to cross the river in Canduman last Saturday despite the flood, but the strong current swept him away.
In Cebu City, a 67-year-old man died after he was swept away by floods in sitio Tanay, barangay Pit-os, Monday morning, according to the Cebu City public information officer Nagiel Bañacia.
A number of landslides also occured in various parts of the city's mountain barangays, prompting Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to suspend classes in affected areas.
At least 200 families have already been evacuated as earth continues to move downhill in the landslide-hit areas, especially in barangay Sirao.
In Bogo City, a 61-year-old man drowned while swimming in one of the beach resorts in Barangay Nailon. Gamallel Lecciones from Navotas City was last seen swimming at the beach at around 6 a.m. Monday despite the big waves.
His body was later found by a certain Alburo Zambo, according to SPO 3 Eldefonso Prusia. The police are still investigating whether or not the drowning was caused by the bad weather.
In Barangay Mayana, City of Naga, an 18-year-old man drowned in a muddy lake, while a four-year-old girl in Sitio Proper, Barangay Patag died after she was swept away into a river by floodwaters even as she was sleeping in her house with her mother.
Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III suspended classes in the entire province of Cebu Tuesday as some parts in southern and northern Cebu areas were still submerged in floodwaters and with the forecasted moderate to heavy downpour in Cebu due to the tail-end of a cold front affecting Visayas.