1 dead, 4 hurt in lightning strike

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines — A farmer was killed and four others were injured when lightning struck in a farming village about 80 kilometers east of this city on  Monday.

Police said Rodericko de la Cruz, 25, was declared dead on arrival in a hospital.

De la Cruz’s companions Kimar de la Cruz, 26; Ronnel delos Reyes, 29; Jessico dela Merced, 47, and Leo Jalap, 38, are now in stable condition in a hospital.

Capt. Edwin Duco, Zamboanga peninsula police spokesman, said the victims were threshing palay in Barangay Licomo when the accident occurred.