60% of the Philippine Capital is under water. The world has bigger problems than Syria's Civil War.

By Joel Guinto and Clarissa Batino August 20, 2013

At least eight people were killed and more than 100,000 fled their homes (click here) amid heavy rains for a third day that swamped as much as 60 percent of the Philippine capital and nearby provinces.

Forty one are injured and four are missing as torrential rains overflowed dams and rivers and triggered landslides in provinces in the biggest island of Luzon, according to the latest bulletin of the disaster and risk-reduction agency. At least 20 percent of the Manila region remains submerged as of 7 p.m. from as much as 60 percent around midday, Office of Civil Defense spokesman Major Rey Balido said by phone.

President Benigno Aquino suspended work in government offices in Manila for a second day, prompting Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and exchanges to keep currency, bonds and stock markets closed. Five provinces including Cavite and Laguna have declared a state of calamity. Mayor Strike Revilla of Bacoor in Cavite, south of Manila, said the flooding in his town is worse than 2009 when typhoon Ketsana swamped Luzon and killed more than 400. A road leading to Aquino’s office was flooded, Aquino spokeswoman Abigail Valte said...