ORMOC CITY— A 62-year-old woman was reported missing after being swept away by strong floodwaters at the height of Typhoon “Tino” early Tuesday morning, November 4, in Barangay Hilaan, Bontoc, Southern Leyte.
Police identified the missing person as Yolanda Labastida, married, and a resident of the said barangay.
Based on a report from the Bontoc Municipal Police Station submitted to the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), the incident was relayed by a certain alias “Lan,” a member of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Bontoc.
According to the report, Labastida and her husband, alias “Digong,” were attempting to evacuate from their home near a creek that had begun to overflow when she was reportedly swept away by the strong current.
Search and rescue operations were immediately launched by barangay officials and local responders, but as of press time, Labastida remains missing.
(ROBERT DEJON)
