MANILA, Philippines — The number of people killed in the wake of Typhoon "Ompong" (international name Mangkhut), which pummeled Northern Luzon has risen to 63, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Tuesday. "We express our condolences to the families of the victims of Typhoon Ompong," Roque said in Filipino. Itogon Mayor Victor Palangdan said the local government had asked the people to leave the area before Typhoon Ompong ravaged the region. "Around that bunkhouse are shanties constructed by small-scale miners as their temporary dwellings. May ibang may pamilya, may ibang grupo-grupo lang (some had families, others were just groups of miners)," Palangdan told ANC.

Source: Philippine Star September 18, 2018 04:18 UTC