CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE; UPDATES WITH DEATH TOLL, MORE INFORMATION; EDITS THROUGHOUT
By Zehra Ulucak
ANKARA (AA) – At least 12 people were killed as Typhoon Mangkhut hit northern Philippines in the early hours of Saturday morning, media reports said.
Francis Tolentino, an adviser to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, said 12 people died and two others went missing.
Tolentino added that 87,000 people have been evacuated.
According to Philippines News Agency, Duterte will visit the affected areas as soon as airport authorities give him the green light.
The Philippine Red Cross on Saturday said it will deploy another batch of rescue and relief teams to meet communities’ needs.
The typhoon has slightly weakened as it moves in a west-northwest direction, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
“It was last spotted at 160 km. west northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, ” PAGASA was quoted as saying by Philippines News Agency.
