Classes suspended after freak tornado hit S. Cotabato village

KORONADAL CITY - A freak tornado that destroyed about 30 houses and a school in a remote village in South Cotabato forced the cancellation of classes Monday, officials asid.Classes have been temporarily suspened but efforts are underway to resume classes either Tuesday or Wednesday, according to Elma Cabra, principal ofCristiano L. Ladot Elementary School in Barangay Cabudian, Banga, South Cotabato. We decided to suspend classes to ensure the safety of pupils as well as teachers, Cabra said, adding that parents are now helping restore the school properties.Cabra said aside from the classroom, the freak tornado also damaged the principal's office and the home economics building. It also shut off power supply.The tornado that hit during Sunday afternoon'a heavy down pourtore the school building's roof. As the roof were blown off, rain water soaked the school's books and chairs.Cabra said the tornado was so strong that it even toppled a huge Acacia tree near the school.Barangay Cabudian Chairperson Jonathan Ladot told DXOM-AM Radyo Bida Koronadal that more than 30 houses were damaged by the freak tornado.