Death Toll Following Floods Rises in Philippines

(13 October 09 –RV) The nationwide death toll from last week’s landslides and flooding stood at more than 650 yesterday. The recent back-to-back storms that pounded the northern Philippines caused floods and landslides that washed away roads and bridges in the mountainous provinces, and have made rescue and relief efforts difficult. About 700 US troops who were in the region for military exercises have been brought in to aid the relief effort. Media director for the Catholic Bishops conference in the Philippines is Msgr Pedro Quitorio. He says the death toll is likely to rise over the next few days…