3 dead, 6 missing in Davao Occidental flash floods

KORONADAL CITY — Three people were confirmed dead while six others remain missing after rains brought by the southwest monsoon, enhanced by Super Typhoon Inday, triggered flash floods in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental over the weekend.

The local government of Jose Abad Santos confirmed the casualties through municipal information officer and spokesperson Julie Marie Muda Buen.

Buen said the three fatalities were among the nine people initially reported missing in Barangay Tanuman.

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READ: From quake to floods: Sarangani villagers appeal for more aid

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The victims were identified as 46-year-old Baby Jane Abon Cabca, her nine-year-old daughter Ruby Jane Abon Cabca, and her two-year-old grandson Baby Leonard.

Ruby Jane was found shortly before 2 p.m. on Saturday, while Baby Jane and Leonard were recovered on Sunday afternoon.

A 55-year-old resident, Danny Pallano Diantan, survived the incident.

Buen said floodwaters carried debris to the Tanuman Bridge, causing water to overflow into nearby homes, including those of the Abon, Diantan, Masaglang, and Taluno families.

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Search, rescue, and retrieval operations are ongoing for the six missing persons, who are believed to have been swept away by the strong current. Two of them are reportedly senior citizens.

Authorities said one of the biggest challenges in the operation is determining where the missing victims may have been carried by the floodwaters.

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Aside from Barangay Tanuman, the barangays of Magulibas, Kalbay, Malalan, Butuan, and Sugal were also affected by flooding.

Initial reports from disaster authorities showed that about 269 families have been affected and at least 28 houses were totally damaged by the flash floods in the municipality.

The local government continues to distribute food packs and non-food items to evacuees and affected families.

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Officials also appealed for donations, particularly clothing and other basic necessities, as the community continues to recover from the June 8 powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake and the recent flash floods. INQ