Philippine death toll from storm rises to 31
MANILA, Philippines >> Philippine disaster officials say the death toll from Tropical Storm Aere has risen to 31 after more fatalities were confirmed. Three people remain missing.
Aere slammed into the eastern Philippines on Sunday and then weakened and grazed the northeastern seaboard before blowing out of the country Wednesday.
Office of Civil Defense spokesman Melchito Castro said Thursday that late reports from the field had increased the death toll.
Damage to agriculture and infrastructure has been estimated at 360 million pesos ($8.4 million).
Aere was the second storm to batter the Philippines this year. About 20 typhoons and storms lash the country annually.
