Twisters hit villages in South Cotabato, Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines–At least 13 houses and shanties were destroyed when a twister and a waterspout hit Koronadal City in South Cotabato province and a coastal village in Parang, Maguindanao, on Friday, officials said.

The Office of Civil Defense in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said a waterspout developed off the coast and slammed into the village of Magsaysay in Parang around 3:30 p.m.

It swept through the village amid rain and destroyed at least five houses, the report said. No casualties were reported.

The Koronadal City social welfare office said at a twister inflicted at  P200,000 worth of damage when it touched down on Barangay Zome III on Friday.

At least eight houses were damaged but no casualty was reported.

Nena Salafrancia, Koronadal City social welfare assistant, said the affected residents had received food packs while an assessment was being conducted to determine their other needs.