CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, June 28, 2011-Police authorities reported that death toll has risen in central Luzon due to typhoon Falcon; the victims were identified as Ranny Bernardo of Sto. Nino, Hagonoy Bulacan, Marlon Jay Musni from Sta. Cruz, Mexico, Pampanga, and Fedelito Muana Jr. from East Bajac-bajac, Olongapo City, Zambales and April Rose Caruluan of Baler, Aurora.
Authorities stated that the latest victim was Musni, the one who was drowned in the creek of Pampanga rice field says police investigators led by PO3 Jonathan Barcelon. Musni was 15 years old, 3rd year high school student and a residence of Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Mexico, Pampanga and reportedly catching cricket (kamaru) together with his four (4) cousins at the flooded rice field when Musni accidentally slipped and fell down into the water irrigation around nine Saturday morning.
Due to the strong current, the victim was swept to the culvert box of the creek and as of this writings the victim could not be located while search and rescue operation is still going on.
In Aurora province, Baler police authorities reported that at around eight o’clock in the morning, Reyman Caruluan, legal age and his daughter April Rose Caruluan, 15 years old, other data unknown were crossing Tirong River when April Rose was carried away by the strong current of the river.
Search and rescue operation was still on-going. As of this report said victim is still missing.
It was reported that there were over 7,100 families or 34,000 persons were still in evacuation centers here in central Luzon.
Safe Kids Philippines, the Philippine Life Saving Society and the Department of Health entitled,” “Child drowning in the Philippines: The silent killer speaks” revealed that drowning is now the second leading cause of death among children outnumbering deaths from serious diseases such as tuberculosis, diarrhea, malnutrition, cancer and meningitis. (Jason de Asis)
