At Least 151 Killed in Mudslides, Flooding in Philippines

SAN FRANCISCO, Philippines — Rescuers counted at least 151 deaths from weekend mudslides and flooding in the Philippines as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo flew today to the hardest-hit island of Leyte.

Authorities said 133 of the victims were on Leyte, while 18 were on the southern island of Mindanao. The two islands were pounded by a week of rains that triggered the landslides Friday and Saturday.

Arroyo was scheduled to visit survivors and relatives of the victims during a one-day trip to San Francisco and other disaster areas, officials said.

Capt. Nonilon Lawas of the army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade, which was helping with rescue and recovery efforts, said 103 of the victims died in San Francisco, including 26 previously listed as missing and presumed dead. Sporadic rains and strong waves have hampered recovery efforts.

Rescue workers reported finding entire families buried alive in their village homes. The bodies of one family of five -- a mother, father and children ages 5, 12 and 14 -- were shown on television, lying in the mud of their collapsed house in Liloan in Southern Leyte province.

Authorities have blamed illegal logging for exacerbating the landslides. Arroyo said this week that most of the affected areas were near overlogged hills and mountains.

Arroyo has asked the United States for help with the rescue efforts.

U.S. Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone said America would send two C-130 transport aircraft carrying relief supplies today.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council reported 14 people killed in landslides and four people drowned in floodwaters on Mindanao over the weekend. About 20,000 people were evacuated.