TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – Batanes Police Provincial Office (BPPO) has confirmed a total of 8 deaths and about 60 were injured after a 5.0 magnitude earthquake hit while the people of Itbayat town in Batanes Province was still sleeping, Saturday morning, July 27.
About 3 hours later, a 5.9 magnitude aftershock again rattled the people.
BPPO identified the retrieved bodies as Genward Mina, Eva Valiente, Mary Rose Valiente, Fiona Valiente, Teresita Gulaga, Fausta Kaan, Tito Asa and a five day old baby named Haisly Naquita.
The town is currently suffering a power blackout due to damages caused by the massive quake.
Meanwhile, Regional Director PBGEN Jose Mario Espino has ordered the Provincial Director of Batanes Provincial Police Office, PCOL Julius Cecil Ordonio to be on full alert and direct search and rescue teams of every unit to conduct operations in the area.
Furthermore, the provincial Government of Batanes is giving food supplies and medicine to the people of Itbayat.
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