Infant dies in Iloilo evacuation center

MANILA, Philippines - A toddler died of pneumonia in an evacuation center in Iloilo during the initial onslaught of Typhoon Ruby (international name Hagupit) yesterday.

Balasan town Mayor Filomeno Ganzon said 16-month- old Althea Angelique Rojo died after suffering from convulsions.

Rojo was taken to Jesus Colmenares District Hospital due to fever early morning yesterday.

Her family was evacuated to the Balantian Elementary School, which shelters 863 families or 3,576 people.

A 65-year-old man also died in Estancia town on Saturday.

However, the death of Ernesto Baylon was not associated with the typhoon.

Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, a medical doctor, said Baylon may have had a pre- existing disease.

“We have yet to confirm if he indeed died due to hypo-thermia,” he said.

A report from the Western Visayas Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Baylon died around 8 p.m. of Saturday.

He was allegedly left alone at home while his family was in the evacuation center.Jennelyn Castor, 35, was reported to have died of pre-eclampsia in Ajuy, Iloilo Saturday night.

She had sought temporary shelter in her relative’s house in Barangay Sto. Rosario to escape the wrath of Ruby.

In Leyte, the provincial police reported that a one- month-old boy and a 62-year-old man died of illness at an evacuation center in Baybay City but their deaths have yet to be validated. – With Alexis Romero