FLOOD CASUALTIES STILL RISING

By ELENA L. ABEN, mb.com.ph The death toll from the massive flooding and a series of landslides that hit several parts of the country due to continuous rains that started before the New Year reached 68, as the number of injured also increased to 13, while 26 are still missing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Saturday. In the latest bulletin released by the NDRRMC, the new names added to the list of fatalities were Bong Escando and Beto Roldan, both fishermen who were among those earlier declared missing after their boat, FB Jonathan-1, capsized when it encountered big waves off the waters of Palawan; Nestor Banzuelo, 55, of Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte; Diomedes Nube, 60, of Barangay Mahagnao, Burauen town, and Edmar Asis Quiza, 14, of Barangay 12 Palanog, Tacloban City, both in Leyte; and Victorio Elumba, 67, of Barangay Lokilokon, Paranas, Samar.