By Freddie G. Lazaro
Vigan City (September 24) -- At least one person was drowned and died, while the two reported missing persons were recovered alive in Barangay Apatot, San Esteban after Typhoon Nina hit the province of Ilocos Sur, it was reported Tuesday.
Provincial Jail Warden Floro Martinez, OIC of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), identified the lone casualty as Dencio Culapit, 50, a farmer and resident of Barangay Poblacion, Quirino, Ilocos Sur.
Martinez said that the dead victim was reportedly crossed the river last Monday and was taken by strong current of water during the onset of heavy rains caused by Typhoon Nina last Monday.
The cadaver of the victim was recovered at about 10:00 o clock Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, Martinez reported that the reported missing fishermen from Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur were rescued alive late Monday afternoon by the residents along the shorelines in Barangay Apatot, San Esteban, Ilocos Sur.
The rescued fishermen were identified as Dominador "Sonny" Darang, 32, and Jeffrey Graycocha, 28, both residents in a coastal Barangay Bia-o, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur.
The two rescued fishermen were reportedly gone to fishing along South China Sea last Sunday morning when they met strong winds and rains brought out by Typhoon Nina. A fishing boat of the victims with "Catherine" markings; and yellow and orange colors was reportedly capsized due to big sea waves.
As of 12:00 noon Tuesday, Martinez also reported some damages of Typhoon Nina in the province such as the damage 30 -meter communal irrigation system in Barangay Elefante, Banayoyo town, the fallen big acacia tree infront of the municipal hall in San Juan town, the landslide along the road traversing the towns of Salcedo, Sigay and Del Pilar. As of press time, the road remains unpassable.
"We are expecting more reports from the municipal disaster coordinating council until this afternoon and tomorrow," Martinez said.
Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Virgilio G. Fabros, Ilocos Sur Police Director, alerted all the police operatives along the shoreline towns in the province for a possible rescue operation the the missing fishermen from La Union.
Fabros identified the missing fisherman from La Union as Carlos Cuello, a resident of Barangay Pilar, Bauang, La Union. Cuello was reportedly missing after he went fishing along the Lingayen Gulf last Sunday afternoon.
In La Union, at least one person was reportedly dead during Typhoon Nina. The victim was identified as Rodolfo Villanueva, 27, a resident of Barangay Parian, San Fernando City, La Union. Villanueva was died through electrocution after he stepped on an open live wire dipped in floodwater. (PIA Ilocos Sur)