Typhoon Lashes Philippines, Ferry Capsizes

Hundreds Of Passengers Feared Dead; Death Toll From Storm Put At 163

(AP)  Thirty-eight wave-battered survivors from a capsized ferry made it to shore but hundreds more were feared dead after a powerful typhoon cut a violent path through the Philippines, triggering desperate rescue efforts Monday.

The death toll in flood-swollen communities rose to 163, police said, but most of the 747 passengers and crew of the ferry that ran aground then tipped over in stormy seas Saturday were still unaccounted for.

The 23,824-ton Princess of Stars was traveling from Manila to Cebu when it ran aground a few miles (kilometers) off central Sibuyan island then capsized, said Mayor Nanette Tansingco of Sibuyan's San Fernando.

Coast guard frogmen who managed to get to the stricken ship got no response when they rapped on the hull with metal instruments late Sunday, then had to give up for the night due to strong waves. They hoped to get inside on Monday, possibly with U.S. assistance requested by the Philippine Red Cross.

There were no details what kind of assistance was being discussed.

Vice Adm. Wilfredo Tamayo, the coast guard commander, said rescuers may have to bore a hole on the ship to allow access for divers.

Tamayo said 28 more survivors were found in Mulanay township in eastern Quezon province late Sunday - about 80 miles (130 kilometers) from Sibuyan. Ten others struggled to shore earlier.

Manila's DZBB radio said the 28 people, including four crewmen and three women, drifted at sea for more than 24 hours wearing life jackets.

Officials were checking reports that a large number of survivors might have reached one nearby island, coast guard spokesman Cmdr. Antonio Cuasito said.

Survivor Reynato Lanoria, a janitor on the ship, estimated about 100 people could have escaped the vessel, but thought the others were trapped inside. Lanoria said he was on the top deck when a crew member ordered people to put on life vests around 11:30 a.m. Saturday. About 30 minutes later, the ship began tilting so fast that elderly people and children fell on the slippery deck.

After the storm stymied earlier attempts to reach the ship and kept aircraft at bay, a rescue vessel battled huge waves and strong winds to approach Sunday, more than 24 hours after the ferry lost radio contact.

"They're scouring the area. They're studying the direction of the waves to determine where survivors may have drifted," coast guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo said.

The typhoon lashed the central Philippines early Saturday, setting off landslides and floods, knocking out power and blowing off roofs.

In the province of Iloilo, Gov. Neil Tupaz said 59 people drowned, with another 40 missing. "Almost all the towns are covered by water. It's like an ocean," Tupaz said.

Overall, hundreds were listed missing.

Packing sustained winds of 74 miles (120 kilometers) per hour and gusts of up to 93 mph (150 kph), the typhoon shifted course Sunday to the northwest and battered Manila at dawn, dumping heavy rain on the capital. Major streets were flooded, and numerous traffic lights were out.

Anthony Golez, deputy chief of the Office of Civil Defense, said the storm took an erratic path and never slowed down when it hit land with huge deluges of rain.

The typhoon-prone Philippines was the scene of the world's worst peacetime maritime disaster when the ferry Dona Paz sank in 1987, killing more than 4,341 people.

[brb36-2009]

God is real, Climate Change is real. Ignoring reality won''t change it. We can work together to adapt to climate change, and must accecpt reality.

[berniepeders]

There is no god, and the climate has been changing as long as the planet has been here. Keep repeating that until you believe it.

[sistatee-2009]

I''m about played out when it comes to sympathy for every problem in every other country on Earth. We have enough problems HERE that NOBODY is dealing with.

[rumor87]

Do you not listen to the news people? Global warming is happening! God is real, but so is climate change. We need to work together so save this earth. I dont know about you, but I want to live on this beautiful earth for quite some time, and would like my future children and grandchildren to enjoy it too.

[rumor87]

sistatee-you say your tired of having empathy for other countries when we have our own, but other coutries have had it for us. think about 9/11 and pearl harbor and all those other events that we were helped. Stop being so ignorant. Other countries need more help than we do. Think about those poor kids who are malnurished and have absolutely nothing, some dont even have parents, but yet we have it so bad? You live their life for one day? I doubt you could to it

[prairiefox1]

ONE OF THESE DAYS THEY MAY GET THAT NEW SERVICE! LETS SEE,, WHAT IS IT CALLED? COULD IT BE A WEATHER FORCAST?

[rumor87]

Even with weather forecast, theres not much they could have done. Have some empathy for these poor people. They lost everything, from family and friends to things like houses, pets, valuables and so on. You people make me sick. I hope you have something like that happen to you

[tryit99]

Why is it that god is always considered a main factor in world events. All that is happening is natural and has happened before in multiple ice ages. Our earth is just about ready to hit its reset button, and god has nothing to do with it! Humans ruined the world and now it''s almost too late to save, and people still ignore the fact that we can turn global warm around and continue to blame this event on god so they feel safe and have a simple explanation.

[tryit99]

Why is it that god is always considered a main factor in world events. All that is happening is natural and has happened before in multiple ice ages. Our earth is just about ready to hit its reset button, and god has nothing to do with it! Humans ruined the world and now it''s almost too late to save, and people still ignore the fact that we can turn global warm around and continue to blame this event on god so they feel safe and have a simple explanation.

[tryit99]

Why is it that god is always considered a main factor in world events. All that is happening is natural and has happened before in multiple ice ages. Our earth is just about ready to hit its reset button, and god has nothing to do with it! Humans ruined the world and now it''s almost too late to save, and people still ignore the fact that we can turn global warm around and continue to blame this event on god so they feel safe and have a simple explanation.

[sistatee-2009]

rumor87: I sent my 88 cents to the guy that gives milk to the little kids "overseas", and he pumped ninety five dollars of premium into his Bentley and drove away.

[edintex]

We''ve been told by ALGORE and his minions that global warming is causing the polar ice caps to melt and the ocean levels to rise. Funny thing is our nearly FLAT beaches in Texas haven''t disappeared under water yet. I wonder why? I guess I''ll ponder that while in my boat catching MANY fish at a nearby offshore oil rig.

[edintex]

I wonder WHY there are always ferrys being caught in major storms and sinking all of the time in the Phillipines? Doesn''t the government and shipping lines have access to satellite or weather reports there? Seems to me that someone or some people in their shipping bureau needs criminal charges brought on them. Its just not acceptable for this to happen in this day and age. All of those poor souls are gone. What a TERRIBLE SHAME.

[raindanseur]

Does it matter if you are a christian or not when times are tough. Everyone will be going through the same thing. We all should just do what we can for others and perhaps someday when disaster strikes YOU someone will be there for you and yours. I think we need to live generously and with hope and a caution for our future. I live in Washington state and we had a 70 hour windstorm Dec.07 It should have had a name! Wind speeds were the same as hurricane Katrina in some areas. It was amazing and frightening at the same time. Thousand of trees were snapped away.
Have compation for the suffering of those poor souls in the Philippines...it could be you

[mcv57]

No disagreement from me. Unfortunately that''''s not how some people on this planet are though. Sin causes selfishness, greed, and resentment. Millions of people do not fall into the category for which you have described above, unfortunately.

by NoPacifism

You like you never been to the Philippines?

[mcv57]

Posted by NoPacifism

That is like praying for Sidom and Gomorah.

[mcv57]

California is next . . . public perversion and government corruption.

[mcv57]

Posted by NoPacifism

Trying to educate you in the Wrath of God.

Praying for another Christian is one thing; praying for the wickeness is another; abomination is another.

[mcv57]

Indeed, heed the scriptures ... get out of California. God anger is upon it.

[mcv57]

God has choosen the you to prepare for the rapture. Everything must pass, every letter crossed. The antichrist is making his debut.

[mcv57]

It is wickeness and evil that destroy this world, pray that the Lord shields you.

Indeed, you are the lambs out for the slander. Do not throw yourself into the fire, but flee from the abomination.

[mcv57]

The days of mercy has ended; the days of Sidom and Gomorah is reign in this country - take a look at reality (government and greed).

The U.S. and its soldiers are the Roman Empire slandering the innocent. The UN soldiers are raping little 7 year old girls. ARE YOU BLIND.

[jon2012-2009]

Indeed, heed the scriptures ... get out of California. God anger is upon it.

Posted by mcv57 at 06:01 PM : Jun 22, 2008

Disasters happen. Typhoons are nothing compared to the asteroid impact of 65 million years ago that wiped out the dinosaurs and many species of plants and animals. It''s not mentioned in the Bible and God has nothing to do with it. Christians, please do not alarm the population and yourselves with concerns regarding some kind of divine retribution.

[mcv57]

No fire in my future. Only eternal glory with the Lord Jesus Christ. This does not mean we should cease praying for the souls that are lost and cease helping them. Again we''''re told to be the light of the world, in a world of darkness and sin.

Posted by NoPacifism

Take care child of God, the deciples of Christ hid in caves for long periods before they started their mission. Ultimately, they all died of execution except for John who was exiled to Pathos were he wrote the Revelation.

[mcv57]

Posted by jon2012

Not being a student of Theology or a devoted Christian, its hard to explain the wisdom of God''s plan. But, what your witnessing (you are dead to) is all to be expected.

History and the power of word/ record has revealed all to imminient the nature of the flesh. Indeed, the time of Revelation is at hand.

[mcv57]

Posted by NoPacifism

You are taking the Bible out of context. Jesus did not come to save this world, but he came with a SWORD. Jesus knows who his children are, the rest of the chaf shall be thown in the lake of fire.

[mcv57]

You sound navie to the nature of flesh/ carnal minded. I recommend that you see your pastor about this topic.

[mcv57]

Posted by NoPacifism

God''s realm is SPIRITUAL and EVERLASTING. The invisable realm cannot be touched by this world.

[bozworth4]

Unless I miss my guess, King George II calls on god for guidance and help. If King George II is an example of gods love and gods gentleness, I really have to wonder???? Big Brother or Brother Bartholomew?
Bible good book, kinda like a Steven King novel.

[dmhphils]

Unless I miss my guess, King George II calls on god for guidance and help. If King George II is an example of gods love and gods gentleness, I really have to wonder???? Big Brother or Brother Bartholomew?
Bible good book, kinda like a Steven King novel.


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Posted by bozworth4 at 07:17 PM : Jun 22, 2008

Your ignorance is splattered all over this blog! Don''t criticize what you so obviously don''t understand. You''re like an ant looking at an elephant, and instead of being humbled by the greatness before you, you arrogantly curse it. God says you''re a fool.

[mcv57]

Posted by NoPacifism

You are twisting the Bible words. Are you saying you know the Bible better than I. You don''t sound like you know what you are talking about. St. Paul, in scripture, directed that you seek other Christians to instructions. Don''t you go to church? Or, are you one of those cults who think you know everything.

[mcv57]

Its sounds like you are the one uptight, and I am not arguing just correcting you!

[mcv57]

Nopacfism-obviously


You have yet to answer my questions .... do you go to Church. Or are you one those so called "christian" who think you don''t need church. Perhaps, this explains your lack of understanding and contradictions.

[mcv57]

into your own self-indulged pride-fest.

Posted by NoPacifism

Indeed, "get the log out of your eye first," hypotcrite! What makes you think of offered pride? Because I corrected you? Again, you need some self-examination.

[mcv57]

Posted by NoPacifism

Oh, I was correct in assessing your Christian education - "0"

You have judged yourself, hypocrite.

[mcv57]

Your arrogance blinds you.

Posted by NoPacifism

Again, your judgment has returned to you with full measure, says Jesus.

I thought I smelled a phony.

[mcv57]

Who is the better, the man who judges one man falsely; or the one who made no judgment. Indeed, you need to repent. Your colors of judgment; not love, has revealed you.

[bozworth4]

Your ignorance is splattered all over this blog! Don''''t criticize what you so obviously don''''t understand. You''''re like an ant looking at an elephant, and instead of being humbled by the greatness before you, you arrogantly curse it. God says you''''re a fool.


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Posted by noseonurface

Thanks for the response. Now I see how you TRUE christians work. Rather than correct (if needed), use god says and that makes it right? Funny parables, as far as understanding, guess I''d have to say my god will judge me, and if I am in fact the fool your god says I am, guess I''ll be the one to answer for that. I refuse to invoke the name of god to slander anyone.
But again thanks for the response. By the way, this is only my second publish on this subject. (all over this blog)Don''t usually answer useless dribble, but this one was humorus enough to have some fun with. Gotta go stack BBs'' or something else important. Have a good day.

[oneworldusa]

Drive boat in typhoon = not good.