By Roy Ramos
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
The heavy rains and strong winds that have lashed the southern Philippines since Wednesday have left two young Filipinos dead and more than 100 homes destroyed.
A 13-year-old girl in Sultan Kudarat province was killed when a coconut tree fell on her during a heavy downpour and strong winds early Friday, a disaster official told GMA News.
A six-year-old also died when strong winds caused two trees to collapse on a small hut Wednesday in the township of Buug in Zamboanga Sibugay province.
More than 50,000 residents have been affected by flash floods in several towns, according to provincial disaster risk reduction officer Henry Albano.
The floods have also damaged more than P300 million worth of crops, the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council office said.
In Maguindanao, 12 towns have been submerged in floodwater after days of continuous rains caused rivers to overflow in Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.
Meanwhile, in Basilan province, 113 houses were damaged Thursday in three towns, Office of Civil Defense-ARMM Regional Director Myrna Angot said.
