Philippines Mudslides heavy toll
77 people were confirmed to have died while another 123 are still missing, feared dead, after heavy rains since Friday triggered flooding and landslides in the central island of Leyte and the southern island of Mindanao.
The National Disaster Coordinating Council, which is leading the rescue effort, said 61 bodies were dug out from under the rubble left by landslides in the towns of Liloan, San Francisco and Maasin in Leyte.
Officials in the area said 114 villagers were missing.
The rest of the casualties were reported in the provinces of Agusan and Surigao on Mindanao.
The state utility firm was also working overtime to restore power in large parts of southern Leyte, where most of the casualties were reported.
Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita said about 700 army troops had been sent to Leyte. But intermittent rain and strong winds have grounded back-up helicopters and troops were trying to reach remote areas on foot and by truck.
