Strong waves drown student in Romblon

MANILA, Philippines — A student drowned after strong waves brought by Tropical Depression “Ramon” carried him away from while heading towards home, Region 4-B Office of Civil Defense Director Eugene Cabrera said Thursday.

In a phone interview, Cabrera said that Francis Rodeo,9, was walking on the shore near Barangay (village) Sugod and Cajidiocan, Romblon with his other classmates when the strong waves came.

Rodeo’s body was recovered in retrieval operations Wednesday afternoon, the director said.

Cabrera said the other children were unharmed but they couldn’t save Rodeo.

Meanwhile, two other people from Sta. Maria in Romblon, identified as Mario Zahirto and Proclaine Fajarito, were reported injured, Cabrera said.

The director added that while the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council recorded over 70 affected families in Region 4-B and said that some areas were still flooded, the damage brought by Ramon was much less compared to past typhoons that hit the area.