Twister ravages Lanao Norte villages

MANILA, Philippines - A powerful twister damaged 60 houses in two villages in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte on Thursday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported yesterday.

Benito Ramos, NDRRMC executive director and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) administrator said the incident displaced 66 families or more than 200 persons from Barangays Mukas and Tabigue.

Of the 60 damaged houses, six were totally destroyed by the tornado that hit the two adjoining coastal villages Thursday evening.

“The incident may be related to the wind convergence due to the prevailing system in Mindanao,” Ramos said.

As of yesterday, the evacuees are still staying at the Tabigue and Mukas barangay halls and are being assisted by the local disaster units.

Over in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, one of the two fishermen who were reported missing on Monday while fishing in an open sea survived the sea mishap by clinging on to a box of styropore which he used as a floatation device back to the shorelines.

While Anthony Garcia, 30, of Sitio Tulnagan, Barangay Caruan was lucky enough to survive the sea ordeal. His colleague Peejay Calilan, 26, is still missing.

The two went fishing early morning Monday when their motorboat capsized in the open sea due to strong winds and big waves.

“Anthony Garcia was able to safely reach the shorelines using styropore and is now recovering at the Rural Health Unit from days of dehydration. Peejay Calilan remains missing,” the NDRRMC reported.  – With Lino de la Cruz