The fatality count from deadly landslides in a village in Subic, Zambales rose to nine as rescuers raced against time to save four people trapped beneath mud that buried their homes Monday morning.
Subic, Zambales Mayor Jay Khonghun together with Olonagpo City Mayor Rolen Paulino--who is reportedly on official business in the United States--appealed to US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. to “re-direct” the US Navy’s resources currently participating in the RP-US Phiblex exercises to search-and-rescue operations in flooded places.
The two local government units earlier declared a state of calamity and urgently appealed to the national government for help. Olongapo city officials, saying 12 hours of nonstop rains had given them the "worst flooding ever" sent out urgent appeals for help through social media as hundreds remained trapped on rooftops and in houses.
In Barangay Wawandue, Khonghun said they retrieved the body of the sixth fatality at around 3:40 p.m. At least 7 houses were hit by a landslide.
Meanwhile, authorities were verifying reports that four people were also killed in a landslide in San Marcelino town.
"In all, we have receovered nione bodies from the debris. We have to dig them out by hand because we remain hopeful there are others still alive. We don't want to use equipment that could harm them," Mayor Khonghun explained, speaking in Filipino.
Khonghun said thousands of families were still stranded on rooftops in Barangay Sto. Tomas, particularly in Sta. Monica Subdivision.
Floodwaters have already reached the second floor of their houses, and with PAGASA warning of more rains, officials fear the floods could keep rising.
The mayor appealed to the national government, especially the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Public Works and Highways for help, adding, "this is the first time we saw this kind of flooding."
Subic, he added, was so isolated that even big vehicles could not make it through the flooded sites.
Barangays Sta. Rita, Old Cabalan and Banicain in Olongapo are severely affected by floods.
Barangays Gordon Heights, Mabayuhan and Little Baguio, which are located on higher ground, were not affected by floods.
http://125.5.113.132/article/71338/9-confirmed-dead-in-subic-landslides-us-embassy-asked-to-re-direct-phiblex-drills-to-rescue-ops
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