ILOILO CITY- ILOILO CITY -- Typhoon Seniang left five persons dead in the Visayas as the typhoon hit Panay over the weekend, downing power lines that left the provinces of Capiz and Aklan, including Boracay, without electricity.

One died in Tacloban City while four others in Capiz were killed as Seniang whipped the island.

Angelina Besana died after a tree fell on their house in Pan-ay town in Capiz. Her mother Ednalyn, 39, was injured in the incident.

Three other persons went missing and were believed to have drowned in Roxas City, according to reports of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council in Western Visayas. They were identified as Paquito Recto, Dolly Adrenasin and Jonard Adrenasin.

The Tacloban City police also reported that 4-year-old April Felicen was pinned to death by a falling tree at their home in Barangay Bagacay Saturday.

At least 178 families or 941 persons mostly in Capiz have been evacuated, said Rosario Cabrera, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense.

She said the casualties and evacuees could still increase because reports are still coming in from Capiz and Aklan provinces as of 3 p.m. yesterday.

The two provinces and towns of northern Iloilo have been without electricity since Saturday evening after strong winds toppled electric posts.

Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez said they are waiting for reports from the provincial disaster coordinating council in preparation to declare the province under a state of calamity.

Fallen coconut trees and toppled electric posts littered the world-famous Boracay Island in Aklan after Seniang hit the island around 6:30 a.m. yesterday, said PO2 Jose Rupe Panganonong of the Boracay Special Tourist Police Office.

Panganonong said electricity has been down since 9 p.m. Saturday and most resorts, teeming with tourists for the weekend and holiday season, are powered by generators.

The BSTPO is still determining reports of missing crew members of boats after those anchored near the beach were carried away by strong currents.

Nenette Aguirre-Graf, president of the Boracay Foundation Inc., a group of owners of resorts, restaurants and other business establishments on the island, said strong winds destroyed or damaged houses and resorts.

Many bars and structures made of light materials at the beach were destroyed, said Graf in a telephone interview. Sand and debris covered the front of beach resorts and restaurants.

Some residents especially those living near the shoreline have sought refuge in the houses of friends and relatives, said Graf.

Graf said electricity could be restored on the island in two to three days because of damage lines in the mainland.

Ferry boat trips between Caticlan in the mainland and Boracay have been suspended.

Boat trips between Iloilo and Bacolod City and between Iloilo and Guimaras Island were also suspended. But airlines continued their operations.

At least five fishing and passenger boats near the port of Estancia town in Iloilo were destroyed by the storm, said Jerry Bionat, provincial civil defense coordinator.*NPB

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