Zamboanga City villages flooded; boy dies

RESIDENTS of Barangay San Jose Gusu in Zamboanga City learn to convert their tables into floating vessels for transport through the flooded streets of the community. JULIE S. ALIPALA / INQUIRER MINDANAO

ZAMBOANGA CITY—A 5-year-old boy died after being hit by a falling tree during heavy downpour in the village of Patalon here on Monday morning.

Two other persons were injured in Barangay Licomo when the foundation of their house collapsed due to flooding brought about by continuous rains since Saturday, Mayor Celso Lobregat said.

Lobregat said about 800 families from at least 10 barangays have evacuated to higher grounds due to the flood. Around 200 families in Barangay Vitali left their houses when rivers overflowed, flooding low-lying areas.

Chief Inspector Joey Tutuh, chief of the Vitali District Police, said that in some areas, the floodwaters reached the roofs of houses. Even the police station was under water, he said.

The evacuees were brought to the the Catholic Church.

Chief Superintendent Napoleon Estilles, police chief for Western Mindanao, said strong waves tossed a cargo barge owned by Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali until it hit at last 15 houses along the mini-wharf in Barangay Mariki early Monday.

No one was reported hurt in the incident, but around 30 families were rendered homeless, Estilles said.

Lobregat identified the young fatality as Mark Anthony Mallari.

The mayor ordered the suspension of classes in 12 flooded barangays. Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao