(Eagle News)—Isabela and Cagayan, which were the hardest-hit by Typhoon “Ompong,” have not recorded any casualty so far, Presidential Political Adviser Francis Tolentino said on Monday, Sept. 17.
According to Tolentino, who spoke in a television interview, this was because the residents in those areas, where “Ompong” made landfall, followed the instructions of the government.
“Yung pinangangambahan na storm surge, yung pinangangambahan na mamamatay sa flooding, wala po kasi tumalima yung mga kababayan natin sa Cagayan at Isabela kasi may experience sila sa super typhoon Lawin,” Tolentino said.
So far, Tolentino said 54 people were killed while 42 were missing due to “Ompong.”
Tolentino said of the 54 dead, nine were from Baguio City, 38 from Benguet, one from Kalinga and six from Mountain Province.
Of the 38 dead in Benguet, 34 were recorded in Itogon, three in La Trinidad and one in Tuba.
Many of those killed in Itogon were people who were seeking shelter in a chapel that was buried in a landslide.
“Kasi po ‘yung pinakamalapit na puwede nila makublihan, kasi matagal na silang pina-evacuate, ay nagsama-sama po doon sa chapel,” he said.
“Ompong” left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday night.