15 dead, six missing as habagat batters parts of Philippines

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded 15 deaths and six missing persons as heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon, or habagat, continued to affect several parts of the country.

PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Allen Rae Co reported the casualties during a press conference on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, as police units continued search, rescue, and retrieval operations in areas affected by flooding, landslides and other weather-related incidents.

Four of the fatalities were recorded in Baguio City, while Batangas reported one death. Two deaths each were recorded in Rodriguez, Rizal, and La Trinidad, Benguet, with the incidents in these areas attributed to landslides or rockslides.

Three other people died in separate drowning incidents in Alaminos, Pangasinan; Binangonan, Rizal; and Batangas City.

Two fatalities were caused by electrocution, with one reported in La Union and another in Batangas.

In Antipolo City, Rizal, a man died after being struck by a falling tree amid the severe weather.

Police are also continuing efforts to locate six people reported missing in areas affected by the monsoon. Co said five of the missing individuals were in the Cordillera region, while one was reported missing in the Calabarzon area.

The PNP has mobilized thousands of personnel to assist communities affected by the weather disturbance.

According to Co, 11,402 police personnel have been deployed for search, rescue and retrieval operations. More than 2,000 additional personnel were assigned to maintain peace and order in evacuation centers and affected communities.

The deployment covers areas experiencing heavy rainfall, flooding, landslides and other hazards associated with the southwest monsoon.

Police units have also rescued at least 50 people during operations in Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and the Cordillera region.

The PNP said its response remains focused on assisting residents in high-risk areas while helping local authorities manage evacuations and maintain security in communities affected by the weather.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has directed police units in areas affected by habagat to remain on heightened alert.

In a statement, Nartatez ordered police personnel to intensify preemptive evacuation efforts, particularly in communities vulnerable to flooding and landslides.

The directive is intended to move residents out of danger before conditions worsen, particularly in areas where rising water levels or unstable slopes could threaten communities.

The police response was also strengthened through the activation of the PNP Subcommittee on Natural Disaster under the Directorate for Police Community Relations.

The subcommittee is monitoring developments through the PNP Command Center and coordinating the police response as weather conditions continue to affect different parts of the country.

Authorities continue to urge residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas to remain alert, follow evacuation orders from local officials and monitor weather and emergency advisories.

The PNP said its personnel will continue conducting rescue and retrieval operations while maintaining security in evacuation centers and communities affected by the southwest monsoon.