Tornado rips off roofs, topples electric poles in Maguindanao town

A tornado tore through a Maguindanao town during heavy rains Friday, a flash report on GMA News TV said Saturday.

Residents said the tornado lasted for 15 minutes, knocking out electric posts and collapsing roofs even as rain battered through the province.



According to a separate report on Saturday, residents have already begun repairing homes and buildings affected by the tornado.

Despite the rain brought on by the Southwest Monsoon (Hanging Habagat) and enhanced by Tropical Storm Luis, Barangay Chairman Rogelio Posadas of  Brgy. Magsaysay, Parang, Maguindanao said that the heavy rains actually helped secure residents in their homes.

"Mabuti na lang at malakas ang ulan noong oras na iyon dahil kung hindi, baka tamaan ang mga batang nasa labas ng kalye ng mga lumipad na yero," he said.

Data from the Weather Central, presented during a report on GMA News' "Balitanghali" on Saturday, suggest that the tropical storm may turn into a typhoon when it makes landfall on Sunday.

Yellow rainfall warnings up

PAGASA raised a Yellow or Heavy Rainfall Warning later on Saturday afternoon in the following provinces:

Aklan
Capiz
Iloilo
Antique
Negros
Siquijor
Biliran Island
Northern Leyte

PAGASA said that low-lying areas may experience flooding, while people living in mountainous areas were warned against possible landslides. — Rie Takumi/JDS, GMA News