5 dead, 100 families displaced in Koronadal flash floods

MANILA, Philippines - Five persons were confirmed killed, while a seven-month-old baby was reported missing in a flash flood that suddenly swept four low-lying villages of Koronadal City in South Cotabato on Friday, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported yesterday.

OCD administrator, retired Army Gen. Benito Ramos identified the fatalities as Anito Patricio, 37; Linda Iris, 78; Renie Boy Patricio, 10 and Mekaila Patricio, 5; all of Sitio Upper Acub, Barangay San Isidro. The fifth fatality is yet to be identified.

Ramos said that it has been raining heavily in the South Cotabato area for several days now causing several river channels to overflow, forcing residents in low-lying villages to abandon their houses.

Numbering to more than 100 displaced families, the evacuees are currently staying at the San Isidro Elementary School.

“Our OCD-11 headed by Lita Enoc, along with teams from the regional offices of the Departnent of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health (DOH) are already in the area to assist evacuees,” Ramos said.

In a separate report, Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu, Central Mindanao regional police director and Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) chief, said the flashflood heavily affected Sitio Acub in Barangay San Isidro, Barangay Carpenter Hill, Barangay Sarabia and the Aquino Street in Barangay Zone 3, all in Koronadal City.

He said he had directed the provincial director of South Cotabato provincial police office and the city director of Koronadal City police station to ensure the safety of the victims.

Khu said the local police, which is also a member of the city disaster coordinating council, reported that as of 11 a.m. yesterday, it has already recorded five casualties.

He also reported that a seven-month-old baby was still missing.

“Ongoing retrieval and rescue operation is still being conducted by members of the city disaster coordinating council (CDCC) led by Mary Jane Gabucan,” Khu said.

The regional police director said members of the Regional Public Safety Battalion of PRO 12, the South Cotabato police provincial office and search and rescue volunteers are also undergoing excavation operations along the banks of the river to locate the missing baby.

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, local disaster and rescue teams were still conducting clearing Barangay Sarabia and Carpenter Hill from debris, fallen trees, muds and rocks.     – With John Unson,