8 die, thousands flee as landslides, flooding hit South Philippines

At least eight people have died and several others were reported missing as flooding and landslides spawned by a low pressure area forced thousands to seek safer grounds in southern Philippines, authorities said on Sunday. Five people were killed in a landslide in Tarragona Town, in Davao Oriental Province on Saturday night, and three more were killed in landslides and massive flooding in Monkayo and Compostela towns, in Compostela Valley early on Sunday, according to Chief Inspector Jed Clamor, spokesperson of the Southern Mindanao regional police. "Eight people also got hurt and three are still missing in Mt. Diwata," Chief Inspector Clamor said, quoting police in two provinces, referring to the gold-rich village in Compostela Valley. Some 2,000 families or over 6,200 people have also fled to evacuation centers in the provinces of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental, as floodwaters from bursting rivers submerged roads, destroyed bridges and washed away dozens of homes in these areas, Loreto Rirao, civil defense chief for Davao region, said.