8 dead, 6 missing as ‘Ursula’ pummels Panay Island

By: Jennifer P. Rendon

Eight persons were reported dead as Typhoon Ursula battered Panay Island.

Based on the initial report of the Department of the Interior and Local Government 6 (DILG-6), two persons died in Capiz and six in Iloilo province due to Typhoon Ursula.

The Office of the Civil Defense 6 (OCD-6) clarified that the list is still up for verification with the local police.

The two casualties in Capiz were identified as Merlinda Delatina Baquilar, 53, of Barangay Lantangan, Pontevedra town; and Edward Gautani, 12, of Barangay Poblacion, Pres. Roxas.

In Iloilo, there were at least six casualties from the towns of Batad and Balasan.

They were identified as Danilo Abendanio, 62, and Henry “Dodok” Alfuente, 56, both of Barangay Poblacion, Balasan; and Joemar Dela Cruz, 30, of Barangay Dolores, Balasan,

The three victims from Barangay Pasayan, Batad were identified as Roel de Asis, 41; Meme de Asis, 15; and Yanyan de Asis.

On the other hand, the six missing persons were identified as Leonel Flores Baria, 43, and Joel Balasa Baria, 69, both of Barangay Manapao, Pontevedra, Capiz.

In Iloilo, the missing was Jerals Franco Maming, 26, of Barangay Agtambo, Passi City.

The three missing persons from Pasayan, Batad were known as Moymoy de Asis, alias Angga, and alias Dagol.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, 311 families seeking shelters at the evacuation centers in the towns of Panay and Pilar and Roxas City.

Around 22 families sought shelter from families or relatives.

In Iloilo, there were 584 families who were evacuated in Concepcion town.

Meanwhile, there were 2,270 stranded passengers in the different seaports in the province and city of Iloilo, Aklan, Bacolod City, and Negros Occidental.

As of 2 p.m. of Wednesday, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that all national roads and bridges in affected areas are passable.