13 dead due to Tisoy —authorities

At least 13 people were reported killed in Regions V, VIII, CALABARZON and MIMAROPA as Typhoon Tisoy barreled through the Philippines on Tuesday, authorities said Wednesday.

Information from Police Regional Office 5 indicate that fatalities in the Bicol region were one each from Libmanan, Camarines Sur; Bulan, Sorsogon; Sorsogon City; Goa, Camarines Sur; and Pili town.

Also one was injured in falling tree incident in Polangui, Albay, police said, adding, there was no report about missing persons in Region V.

Meanwhile, MIMAROPA Police Regional Office said five died due to Tisoy, identified as Ildefonso Reyes Delos Santos, Jessie Santos, Efren De Guzman Cueto, Domindor Motol Lazo, who were all from Oriental Mindoro, and Bernabe Minay Lundag who was from Marinduque.

On the other hand, the Office of Civil Defense in Region VIII said one died in Ormoc City due to severe head injury from a falling tree incident last December 2.

The Police Regional Office - CALABARZON said at least two have been killed in the region due to Tisoy.

According to Catanauan Municipal Police Station, one Rafael Palma was hit by a fallen tree in Barangay Gatasan on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, information from Polilio Municipal Police Station stated that a lightning struck Joe Quito Sta. Ana, resident of Barangay Sibulan, which led to his death on Tuesday.

In its 6 a.m. situation report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said a total of 495,408 individuals or 123,912 families are being assisted in Regions III, V, VIII, NCR and MIMAROPA.

Of this number, 114,552 families or 458,020 are being served inside evacuation centers while 9,360 families or 37,388 persons are outside evacuation centers.

The council, which maintains its blue alert status, said a total of 38 houses have been damaged in Regions V, VI, CAR and CARAGA. Of that number, 18 houses were totally damaged while 20 others were partially damaged.

Meanwhile, a total of 18 road sections and three bridges were affected by Tisoy. The three bridges as well as 12 of the road sections have remained not passable to vehicles as of Wednesday morning, the NDRRMC said.

According to the NDRRMC, eight areas were also reported flooded in Region VI and in CALABARZON.

Tisoy has made landfall for four times — in Gubat, Sorsogon; San Pascual, Masbate; Marinduque; and Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

State weather bureau PAGASA on Wednesday morning indicated that Tisoy already weakened  to a severe tropical storm and is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.

PAGASA lifted all cyclone warnings late Wednesday morning. —LBG/KBK, GMA News