Marcos laments Pepito took one life: ‘1 casualty is a casualty too many’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. — PNA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — One person from Camarines Norte reportedly died due to Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi), according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

He said this in an ambush interview on Monday after the 49th Philippine National Prayer Breakfast (PNPB) held in Malacañang.

READ: Wind signals still up in some parts of Luzon as Pepito leaves PAR

“We have been monitoring Pepito all night. Unfortunately, I’m sorry and saddened to report that mayroon tayong casualty na isa sa Cam Norte (we have one casualty in Camarines Norte),” Marcos said.

“You know my feelings about that is that one casualty is one casualty too many. So that is unfortunate,” he emphasized.

The president then recognized the efforts of rescuers and local government units (LGUs) for their continuous service.

“However, I still would like to congratulate… Kailangang pasalamatan natin lahat ng mga first responders, LGUs, lahat ng mga nagtatrabaho na pang-anim nila. I’m sure that they are exhausted,” he said.

(However, I still want to congratulate… We should thank all the first responders, LGUs and everyone working on their sixth. I’m sure that they are exhausted.)

As of 5 a.m., the state weather bureau said wind signals are still up in many areas of Luzon as Pepito moves away from the country.

Based on the 5 a.m. cyclone update of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Pepito is traversing northwestward over the West Philippine Sea at 30 kilometers per hour (km/h).

It was last spotted 145 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur packing maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h and gusts of up to 160 km/h.