Twelve individuals have been reported dead due to the recent onslaught of Tropical Storm Crising and the intensified southwest monsoon or habagat, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In a report by RH Edniel Parrosa, PNP Public Information chief, Police BGen. Randulf Tuaño confirmed that five of the fatalities were recorded in Calabarzon, three in the Negros Island Region.
While one each from MIMAROPA, Northern Mindanao, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and Metro Manila.
Based on the data from the PNP, drowning was the leading cause of death, accounting for nine victims, while two others were killed after trees fell on their homes during strong winds and rains.
The PNP’s report significantly differs from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), which reported only seven casualties, with just two confirmed to be directly caused by the calamity.
“From the our report this morning 7 deaths, 7 injured, 8 missing, sigurado namang mag-aadjust ito papasok ang mga reports from the field, so we will adjust accordingly,” OCD, Officer-in-Charge, Assistant Secretary Raffy Alejandro said.
The fatalities are among the more than 1.9 million individuals or over 401,000 families, affected by Tropical Storm #CrisingPH and the southwest monsoon, which brought widespread floods and landslides across several regions.
As of the latest figures, over 5,000 families, or more than 21,000 people, remain in evacuation centers.
Meanwhile, the OCD welcomed the use of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites as forward operating hubs in disaster response operations.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines, in coordination with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, has activated these sites to assist in relief and rescue missions.
On July 16, Low Pressure Area (LPA) monitored inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has developed into Tropical Depression “Crising," while tropical depression “Dante,” intensified into tropical storm in July 23.
Moreover, LPA which was spotted in west of the Babuyan Islands has developed into Tropical Depression "Emong."
Dante and Emong have intensified the southwest monsoon, bringing heavy rainfall across the country.
