MANILA, Philippines - Five persons, including a Korean, reported missing at the height of tropical storm "Basyang" were rescued by two fishermen off the coast of Camotes Island in Cebu.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Tuesday reported that the two fishermen rescued Korean Ho Geo Ga, Stimson Suello, Eron Suello, Jason Suello and Julius Perilla off the coast of Sitio Nagub-an, Brgy. Union, San Franciso last February 2 around 7:30 a.m.
The five survived after their boat sank between Camotes Island and Danao City last January 31. They were brought to the Ricardo Maningo District Hospital for treatment of their minor injuries.
The state disaster response agency said the death toll from the storm remained at six.
Meanwhile, the NDRRMC said the number of families affected by Basyang in 40 municipalities, eight cities and nine provinces of Regions of 6, 7, 8, and Caraga ballooned to over 10,000 or more than 47,000 persons.
Of the total affected, over 1,000 families or more than 5,000 individuals were displaced and stayed at 32 evacuation centers, the NDRRMC added.
The NDRRMC said that government agencies have pre-positioned more than P145 million worth of emergency relief resources for the affected population.