1 dead, 13 missing in Ester wake — NDCC

One person was killed while at least 13 were reported missing in the wake of tropical cyclone Ester (Dianmu), which lashed parts of the country over the weekend. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said a crew member of a freighter that went missing off Marinduque was found dead off Quezon province. NDCC's 2 p.m. Monday report identified the fatality as Euleto Abeng. Three crewmen — Joselito Cortejos, the captain; Jerry Cortez, crane operator; and Joseph Jabonete, assistant engineer — were rescued, while 12 others were still missing. The vessel, MV SF Freighter, had 16 crew and was loaded with steel bars when it went missing off Dos Hermanas Island in Marinduque. The NDCC said the vessel departed Manila at 8:30 p.m. Thursday en route to Cebu City. The Philippine Coast Guard said the vessel developed engine trouble after being battered by huge waves and strong winds at 1:30 p.m. Saturday until it sank. Its crew used two life rafts and life jackets in abandoning the ship. On the other hand, 13-year-old Jefferson Gavino of Bgy. Sta. Clara, Sta. Maria, Bulacan, was reported missing after a strong current swept him away while he was swimming in Sta. Clara River. At least 204 families were evacuated Sunday from Sitio Sabitan in Sto. Rosario, Malolos City in Bulacan to the Malolos Central Elementary School due to high tide. Of these, at least 146 families (333 people) remained housed at the evacuation center as of Monday afternoon. In Navotas City, five families were affected after their house was hit by an LCT Barge in Navotas West. - KBK, GMANews.TV