'Juaning' death toll climbs to 32, 27 missing

MANILA, Philippines - A policeman died in a landslide that hit Ifugao province, increasing the number of death toll from tropical storm "Juaning" to 32.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that the 32nd fatality died while rescuing a victim of the landslide that occurred in Aguinaldo town.

In its 6 a.m. report today, the NDRRMC said that 23 of the fatalities were recorded in Bicol region, including nine people in Albay, six in Catanduanes, one in Camarines Sur and seven in Camarines Norte.

Deaths at the height of the storm were also recorded in Calabarzon (two in Cavite and two in Quezon) and one each in Marinduque, Iloilo province, Siquijor and Las Piñas.

Meanwhile, 27 people remained missing, majority of them fishermen who went fishing despite warnings from the government of strong waves generated by the storm.

A total of 648,362 persons or 130,225 families were affected by the storm in Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Metro Manila and Bicol regions.

Storm "Juaning" made landfall in Aurora province yesterday morning and crossed Northern Luzon provinces before exiting land last night.

As of 4 a.m. today, the storm was estimated at 240 kilometers west southwest of Laoag City.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that "Juaning" re-intensified as soon as it exited Northern Luzon. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour and 120 kph, travelling west northwest at a speed of 22 kph.

PAGASA said the storm is expected to be out of the Philippine area of responsibility between 8 a.m .and 10 a.m. today.

Storm warning signal number one remains hoisted over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Pangasinan and Zambales.