NDRRMC: 2 emergency responders dead from landslides caused by ‘Ompong’

By Eimor P. Santos, CNN Philippines Staff, Sept 15, 2018

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 15) — Landslides triggered by Typhoon Ompong left two emergency responders dead in the Cordillera region, disaster officials said Saturday.

These are the first casualties confirmed by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to be caused by the powerful typhoon.

“Confirmed meron nang dalawang patay, parehong mga responders na tumugon sa pagligtas ng mga naapektuhan (we confirm two dead, they are responders who helped save those affected by the typhoon),” NDRRMC Executive Director and Official of Civil Defense Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad said in a televised briefing.

He did not give further details, but said 42 landslides have been recorded in the Cordillera region as Ompong battered Luzon.

The NDRRMC said the number of casualties may go up, as they receive unverified reports of deaths during the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong.

Police earlier confirmed a security guard was crushed to death in Caloocan City on Saturday, while an eight-month-old baby drowned in flood in Albay province early Friday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Ompong has weakened ahead of its expected exit Saturday night. The state weather bureau, however, warned of continuing hazards and threats that could be caused by the typhoon, including landslides, floods and storm surge.