MANILA, Philippines – Heavy storms in the Philippines killed at least seven people and left more than a dozen others feared missing at sea, rescuers said Wednesday (June 13th).

Five of the confirmed fatalities occurred when a passenger ferry capsized about 10km from port off the southwestern island of Palawan on Tuesday, the coastguard said.

At least 17 other people were believed to be missing, based on the ferry's manifest, Palawan coastguard spokeswoman Ensign Greanata Jude told AFP.

Two people were also killed and another reported missing when heavy rains lashed the southern island of Mindanao, unleashing floods on Monday and Tuesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre said.

The coastguard also said seven fishermen were rescued by a cargo vessel after their boat sank before dawn in stormy waters on Manila Bay on Wednesday.

The state weather service warned of more flash floods and landslides in the coming days with a storm approaching Mindanao.