Philippine storm death toll goes down to 1,249

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The number of people who died in massive flash floods in the southern Mindanao region a week ago was smaller than earlier reported, Philippine disaster management officials said Tuesday.

Civil Defense chief Benito Ramos said that he has corrected an earlier death toll from the health department of nearly 1,500 to 1,249 based on an actual count of identified and unidentified bodies recovered by soldiers, police, firemen and other rescue workers.

He said the exact number of missing could no longer be determined but the search for bodies will continue.

Heavy rains overnight Monday over the eastern provinces of Mindanao have triggered floods and …