Toll in Philippine quakes climbs to 21

The death toll in two powerful quakes that struck the southern Philippines in the past week has risen to 21, authorities said yesterday, as survivors struggled to access food and water. The 6.6-magnitude and 6.5-magnitude quakes hit the island of Mindanao two days apart, destroying buildings and displacing tens of thousands of residents. Some villagers staying under tents near a highway were begging for help from passing motorists, carrying placards asking for food and water, TV footage showed.