Four people were killed and one was missing in widespread flooding in the Philippines, the Office of Civil Defense said Thursday. At least 13 provinces and Manila were inundated after days of heavy rains brought by a low pressure area and a tropical depression, as dpa reported. The agency said the casualties included three teenage boys who drowned in Pipit town in North Cotabato province, 930 kilometers south of Manila. A 56-year-old man also drowned in floods in Romblon province in the central Philippines while a 10-year-old boy was reported missing in Batangas City, just south of Manila. Agency administrator Benito Ramos warned residents in affected areas to brace for more rain. "The floods have not eased in many areas, and we expect more rains in the next two days," he said. "We appeal to those living in flood-prone areas to be vigilant." More than 170,000 residents have been affected by the floods in six southern provinces since last week, the agency said.
