Over 100 flash flood victims rescued in Cagayan de Oro

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel on Saturday rescued more than 100 people trapped by flash floods in the southern city of Cagayan de Oro, officials said. Several low-lying villages in the city were submerged on Saturday morning as intermittent rains since Friday afternoon caused the Cagayan de Oro River to swell. PCG Commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said they were working closely with local government units in the affected area for the search and rescue of flash flood victims. "PCG rubber boats rescued or rendered assistance to more than 100 persons that were ferried from the river to safer areas along the river banks," Tamayo said in a text messages sent to reporters in Manila. He said that one of their search and rescue vessels saved four male persons who were washed away by raging floods at the vicinity of the mouth of Cagayan River. Two teams of Special Operations Group (SOG) and divers have been dispatched toward the area to render assistance, rescue and evacuation of residents, he said. Officials said several barangays were also flooded in the nearby city of Iligan, with many families fleeing to rooftops. - GMANews.TV