NDRRMC: Death toll from Cotabato floods reaches 3

At least three people were reported killed in the wake of floods that hit parts of Cotabato in Mindanao this week, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Saturday. "Three persons identified as Roberto Argoncillo Jr., 15, Romel Argoncillo, 14, both of Poblacion Libungan, and Rudy Aperdo of Fort, Pikit, were reported dead," the NDRRMC said in its 6 p.m. update. It said the flooding in Cotabato was due to the overflowing of the Pulangi River, affecting 11,671 families or 58,305 people in 55 villages in Carmen, Pikit, Kabacan, M'lang, and Libungan towns. Corn and palay crops were also reported damaged in Carmen, Pikit, Kabacan and M'lang towns, the NDRRMC said. The Cotabato provincial government has distributed 70 bags of rice and 22 boxes of sardines in the area. Earlier, the NDRRMC said floods also affected 8,878 families or 56,852 people in Pagalungan and Datu Montawal towns in Maguindanao. It said classes may not open in parts of the two towns next week due to the floods. — JE, GMA News