MANILA, Philippines—At least five fishermen were reported missing after sailing to the sea despite news of the incoming Typhoon Pedring, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Tuesday.
Lieutenant Commodore Algier Ricafrente, PCG spokesperson, said three were reported missing at Hintutulo Island in Masbate province, and two others in San Fernando City, La Union.
A fisherman from Candon City, Ilocos Sur reportedly drowned, he added.
Asked if the PCG expected less casualties since fisherman and sea travelers should have known about the incoming weather disturbance days ago, he replied, “Yes, but course, some of them still want to take the risk [to earn a living].”
As of 3 p.m., the Philippine Coast Guard in Manila said it recorded only one ship accident as a result of the onslaught of Pedring.
In a phone interview, Ricafrente said MT Ocean 9 ran aground at the South Harbor in Manila at around 6 a.m. due to strong waves.
Ricafrente said the 15 crew members were all safe as the empty cargo ship, which got stuck in muddy shores, was intact.
He said the crew decided to bring water into the ship temporarily to stabilize it while waiting for the weather to improve.
The PCG official said Coast Guard personnel also helped in the evacuation of some 700 residents of the Parola Compound in San Nicolas, Binondo, Manila, which was flooded by tidal surges and hit by strong winds.
The evacuees were housed at the nearby PCG training center in Parola.
Also in Manila, the Philippine Red Cross said it deployed two rubber boats and a six-by-six truck to Baseco, Manila, to move people to safe ground.
PRC chair Richard Gordon said 200 to 300 people were evacuated and moved temporarily to a covered basketball court. Also, at least 469 families earlier moved to the Del Pan Sports Complex were transferred to the Pedro Guevarra Elementary School in Binondo.
Gordon said the PRC sent two rubber boats and a six-by-six truck to move 100 residents of the Dagat-Dagatan, Navotas, from their flooded homes to the Dagat-dagatan Elementary School.
The PRC also dispatched rescuers to Payatas, Quezon City, here a structure was reported to have collapsed.
A third six-by-six truck has been placed on standby at the Ospital ng Maynila just in case patients or residents living along Manila Bay need to be rescued.