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MANILA – The death toll due to flash floods and landslides spawned by severe tropical storm Paeng in Maguindanao has risen to 63, a local official said Thursday.

Seventeen people remain missing in the province, said Maguindanao Provincial Administrator Atty. Cyrus Torrena.

Many of the casualties were residents in mountain areas, the official said. These residents used to live in coastal areas but were relocated as a precaution against tsunamis and storm surges.

“There [are] no other records that pointed to the [relocation] area as a geohazard area,” he told ANC’s “Rundown.”

He also said local authorities complied with all relocation guidelines.

• Deadly Paeng flash floods in Bangsamoro unexpected: official
• Paeng death toll in Maguindanao del Norte now at 53

The nationwide death toll from Paeng has climbed to 150, with nearly 4 million people affected by the disaster.

• Paeng death toll climbs to 150 with almost 4 million affected: NDRRMC

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of calamity in 4 regions, including the Bangsamoro, where Maguindanao is located.

• Marcos places four regions under state of calamity due to Paeng

— ANC, 3 November 2022