‘AGHON’ LEAVES 6 DEAD IN QUEZON

SIX people, including a 7-month-old baby, died during typhoon “Aghon’s” devastation in Quezon province, police on Monday said.

According to Quezon police director Col. Ledon Monte, fishermen found the baby boy lifeless and floating on the sea in Bgy. Ilayang Polo in Pagbilao town.

Monte said the infant’s family lives in a hut above one of the fish cages owned by Tierra Del Monte Realty Corp. in Bgy. Punta, Padre Burgos municipality.

An investigation showed the baby fell into the sea after the hut was hit by big waves at the height of the typhoon.

The official identified the other fatalities as Hermie Salibio, 56, of Bgy. Santol, Mauban, Quezon,  who died of drowning; Marcelino Estolino, 50, who was hit by a falling tree; Melbert Senado, 39; Archie Torla Miguel, 22; and John Rey de Ramos, 14, all residents of the city.

Monte said De Ramos and Senado were hit by a falling tree while Miguel died of drowning.

Some 2,599 families composed of 10,704 persons sought shelter at 105 out of 931 evacuation centers prepared by the local government units in the affected  areas.

Quezon Governor Angelina Tan visited all the hard-hit areas and delivered basic needs, including relief packs, for the evacuees.

Monte said 10 passenger ships and 55 vehicles and a total of 717 persons were stranded in the ports of Real, San Andres and this city due to the typhoon.

He said 82 fully-equipped police personnel were deployed to different vital installations to provide assistance.