Typhoon-ravaged Philippines battered by new storm

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A typhoon swelled rivers and flooded low-lying areas as it passed over the storm-battered northeastern Philippines, leaving at least 13 people dead and 15 others missing, officials said Thursday.

The Philippine National Police reported the casualty figures but gave no details.

Typhoon Vamco passed north of Manila between Bulacan and Pampanga provinces, toppling trees and knocking out power.

Officials said earlier that nearly 200,000 people had been evacuated, some forcibly, from vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas.

Officials said about 1.9 million households were without power in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Many electricity poles were toppled, power lines were knocked down and power transformers were damaged.

President Rodrigo Duterte took a break from an online summit of Southeast Asian leaders to fly by helicopter over the affected areas.

“As president I guarantee you that your government will do its best to provide assistance in the form of shelters, relief goods, financial aid and post-disaster counselling. Rest assured, the government will not leave anybody behind. We will get through this crisis,” Duterte said in a televised address.

Rescue teams were deployed to flooded areas in Rizal province, coast guard chief admiral George Ursabia told DZBB radio.

Marikina city Mayor Marcie Teodoro said fierce winds knocked down power lines overnight, leaving many areas without power and Internet service.

Heavy rains also flooded many areas and the Marikina River was swollen.

Many people in Marikina city were waiting to be rescued from roofs.

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