Freak Tornadoes hit Maguindanao, Koronadal City

Cotabato City (PNA) — Two freak tornadoes separately hit Maguindanao and Koronadal City villages Friday, damaging at least 15 houses, disaster agencies said.

In Parang, Maguindanao, a strong tornado swept through the coastal village of Magsaysay and destroyed business establishments along the coast, the Office of Civil Defense in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD-ARMM) reported Saturday.

OCD-ARMM said the freak tornado smashed the coastal area of Barangay Magsaysay (Talipapa site), Parang, Maguindanao at 3:30 p.m. while moderate rains coupled with thunderstorm and lightning.

No casualty was reported.

At least eight houses were also damaged after a tornado hit a barangay in Koronadal City, Friday.

The tornado that struck the residential areas of Purok Masagana II in Barangay Zone III destroyed an estimated Php200,000 worth of properties.

Now homeless, Raymund Patricio recalled that holding his three-month-old child, he ran for safety along with his wife when strong wind blew off the roof of their house.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office is now assessing the damage to property to determine the amount of help each family will receive from the city government.

Nena Salafrancia, Social Welfare Assistant of CSWD Koronadal, said initial food assistance have been given to the affected families. (PNA) JBP/NYP/EOF