BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—Three persons were confirmed dead and nine injured due to different landslides across the city as tropical storm “Kiko” continues to batter the city as of Friday (Aug 7).




Atty. Peter Fianza, action officer of the City Disaster Coordinating Council(CDCC) identified the three fatalities as Edu Pisca, 13 years old; Michael Pisca, 12 years old, Cris Pisca, 7 years old, all residing at Camp 8 Barangay.

The casualties together with two survivors, Lila Pisca and Benoe Pisca were watching television when a landslide covered their house at around 11:16 p.m. on August 6.

Eduard Pisca, head of the family was not at his residence when the landslide occurred. He was with a roving neighborhood (barangay tanod) patrol checking possible storm damages within the neighborhood when the accident occurred.

On August 7, another landslide occurred at Barangay Kias, trapping and injuring nine pocket miners.

CDCC officer Edison Villafuerte identified the rescued miners as Gerald Formican, Roger Dulnuan, Denis Guratin, Benjamin Daulayan, Steve Chalangen, Napoleon Dumagwa, Dennis Dulnuan, Nestor Burbuen and Edgar Baulayan.

Villafuerte said the rescued miners are now undergoing observation at the Baguio General Hospital and Memorial Center, except for Formican, Guratin and Roger Dulnuan who are still undergoing surgery as of press time.

Villafuerte added the Philippine Military Academy volunteers are still on the site in order to establish if there are still others who entered the mine tunnel before the slides occurred.

The CDCC as of press time still has to receive report on a case where a house in New Lucban Barangay has fallen.

According to the CDCC, Kennon and Ambuclao Roads which connect the city to lowland provinces remain closed to vehicular traffic due to scattered landslides along the highway stretches of both roads. Marcos Highway and Naguilian road however, are open to all types of vehicles.

Classes in elementary and high school levels remain to be suspended, as Mayor Reinaldo Bautista declared at around 2:30 p.m. suspension of work at the City Hall due to the storm.**karitoon.com