15 dead in Central Visayas quake—NDRRMC

MANILA, Philippines—The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has confirmed 15 dead from Monday’s earthquake in Central Visayas.

In its latest bulletin, the NDRRMC said 71 were also missing from the 6.8-magnitude quake.

The casualties were Bernadette Raidan and Ramon Ganti from Tayasan town in Negros Oriental; Anafe Estrabella , Manolita Corceiga and Brgy. Mompong; Betty Yap Manzano, Cherry Pagao, Gilbert  Ubando, Eric Benigay, Maricar Narciso, Aljun Sabando, and three unidentified, all from Brgy. Guihulngan; a certain Bayloces from Bindoy and Acebes Palumar from Bais City also Negros Oriental.

However, military reports of body count have already reached as high as 43.

The injured were also tallied at 52 according to NDRRMC.

Five bridges along Dumaguete North Road were also declared impassable due to structural damages, it added.

The NDRRMC has also raised to blue alert status from white alert following the incident.

Meanwhile, the military has already extended its assistance for the search-and-rescue operations, military spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr said.

In a press briefing, Burgos said a UH1H helicopter from the Western Mindanao Command and a patrol gunboat from the Naval Forces were dispatched for search-and-rescue operations in Negros Oriental.

Four helicopters—two from the Eastern Mindanao Command and two from the National Capital Region—were also on standby, said Burgos.

The 302nd Brigade of the Philippine Army, which has about a thousand troops, was already deployed in search and rescue, Burgos added.