Manila, Philippines, Sep 29, 2009 / 22:12 pm
After a major storm in the northern Philippines caused flooding that has left at least 246 people dead, the local archbishop praised the heroism of a young man who died saving more than a dozen neighbors. He also called for compassion in what he said may be the worst flood in more than half a century.
Nearly 1.9 million people saw their homes inundated in the weekend flooding caused by Typhoon Ketsana, known locally as “Ondoy.” About 380,000 have sought shelter in schools, churches and other evacuation centers, according to news reports. Extra police have been deployed to prevent looting in abandoned homes, while victims search for food, clean water, dry clothes and shelter.
Archbishop of Jaro Angel N. Lagdameo, who is also the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president, praised the “heroism of the Filipino” in response to the disaster.
“Compassion is drawing many Filipinos to unite with their unfortunate brothers and sisters,” he said.