At least four students killed as Tropical Storm Ramon hits central Philippines

Manila: Four students were killed and one was missing as Tropical depression Ramon neared central Philippines, from the Pacific Ocean, at the country's eastern seaboard, senior officials said.

Michael Martinez, 14, his two siblings Mark 12 and Mariel,7, and relative Celino Ganancia, 7, drowned as Barotac River in Iloilo overflowed onto a bridge that they were crossing in Lipata Village, Barotac Viejo.

Their friend, Lyka Ilosendo, 8, was reported missing in the same incident.

They were on their way home from school, said National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director Benito Ramos.