The death toll from heavy rains in the Philippines has risen to 13

The Philippine authorities announced today that the death toll from torrential rains in the southern Philippines has increased to 13, while the search continues for 23 missing as the flood waters begin to recede.

The Philippine disaster agency said most of the deaths occurred as a result of drowning in floods, after two days of heavy rains spoiled Christmas celebrations and forced more than 45,000 people into evacuation centres.

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