‘Pedring’ death toll rises to 20–NDRRMC

MANILA, Philippines — The death toll from Typhoon “Pedring” (international name: Nesat) has climbed to 20 as of noon Wednesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

In an interview, NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos said the latest addition to their official tally were Maricel Bustamante of of Sual, Pangasinan who died after their house was crushed by a fallen tree Tuesday evening and Tanya Balong of Angadanan, Isabela who died after drowning in Cagayan River.

Bustamante’s husband, Darwin, was also injured and was taken to the Alamino District Hospital.

The casualties were from the National Capital Region, and the provinces of La Union, Cagayan, Bulacan, Zambales, Pampanga, Rizal, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Ifugao, the NDRRMC said.

Meanwhile, 14 persons were injured while 35 others, mostly fishermen, were still missing, Ramos said.

He added that the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy and the Air Force were conducting search and rescue operations for the missing fishermen.

The total number of affected population has also reached 35,273 families or 171,570 persons in 349 affected villages in 22 provinces as of 6 a.m.