By Mar Gabriel
Eagle News Service
(Eagle News) – The death toll due to the onslaught of typhoon Ompong in Northern Luzon is feared to further increase as search and retrieval operations come into full gear in the mining town of Itogon, Benguet, according to presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
President Rodrigo Duterte is now on its way to Benguet to attend a press briefing that will be led by Gov. Cresencio Pacalso, as the death toll of typhoon Ompong’s onslaught in Northern Luzon has reached 59 according to the latest data.
Roque said that reports that many are still buried in Itogon is very sad news.
“Itong balitang ito sa Itogon talagang nakakalungkot. May mga naunang report na pinapaalis na ang mga taong ito. Pero inakala nila na ligtas sila doon sa simbahang yun, doon sa abandoned facility ng isang mining company,” Roque said,
Based on the latest information provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, there are 43 reported dead in the landslide in the mining town of Itogon in Benguet alone. One escaped the landslide, while 30 more are listed as missing.
Philippine National Police Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde will also be attending the press briefing together with presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
Of the 59 casualties due to typhoon Ompong, 53 were reported in the Cordillera region, mostly victims of landslides; five were reported in Nueva Vizcaya, and one from Ilocos Sur.
Albayalde and Roque will conduct an aerial survey of Itogon to check the damage caused by the devastating typhoon.
Albayalde said that a 24 man search and rescue platoon from the PNP Special Action Force was sent to Itogon, Benguet on Sunday to assist the search for survivors of massive landslides.
He said that the PNP is also shifting gear from search and rescue to more law enforcement and order functions and providing support to relief and rehabilitation functions to hasten return to normalcy of the areas affected by typhoon Ompong