The Malacañang Palace said in its briefing on Wednesday (Dec.22) that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has strictly instructed all concerned agencies to look into the reported looting and price manipulation in areas affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.
Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in the press briefing that due to the fuller assessment of the damages done by the typhoon, President Duterte signed the declaration of a state of calamity in all areas affected on Tuesday night, Dec. 21. With this declaration, price freezing of food and non-food essentials took effect immediately.
Nograles said that the President strictly directed all concerned agencies to look into the looting and price manipulation reports in typhoon-affected areas in Visayas and Mindanao.
“The President has given strict instructions to all concerned agencies to look especially into these concerns [looting and price manipulation]. As far as the implementation and enforcement is concerned, may instructions na po ang Pangulo diyan,” he said.
Nograles also said that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has augmented several PNP personnel from unaffected regions to assist their fellow policemen and local government units (LGUs) in the affected regions. They call the move “Big Brother”, or brotherhood.
“Nag-augment na po tayo ng PNP personnel [sa mga lugar na apektado]. From the regions na hindi tinamaan ni Odette, may mga PNP regions na in-assign na mag-“Big Brother” doon sa mga regions na tinamaan ng bagyo. [This is] to ensure peace and order, lalo na sa mga certain areas na nababalitang may looting,” he said.
However, Nograles clarified that isolated looting incidents reported to them were very few and that the situation is still under the control of the local government.
“[The looting is] very few naman. It’s not on a massive scale. We are able to maintain peace and order situation on the ground,” he said.
With regards to the manpower of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other government agencies in the affected areas, Nograles advised them to follow the PNP’s initiative to send additional personnel to help and assist in their local offices there, as necessary.
“I also expect the DTI to follow the same route as done by PNP, mga national agencies natin, na kung saan mas nangangailangan ng augmentation ay maaari naman po nating gawin,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sec. Nograles also thanked Australia, Canada, the People’s Republic of China, France, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Qatar, the European Union, and the United Nations for their offer of assistance in the Philippines. He also looked forward to more aid coming from other allied countries.
“We are grateful to our friends in the international community, partners, and allies for their offer of assistance…We expect more countries, allies, and partners to come to our aid and help our kababayans,” he said.
Nograles also pleaded to the fellow Filipinos to not take advantage of the situation and help one another in this time of need, especially since Christmas Day is nearing.
“Ang pakiusap ko lang sa ating mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na ngayon sa panahon ng Pasko, please let’s not take advantage of our fellow Filipinos who are suffering right now,” he said.
“Ang panawagan po natin sa ating mga kababayan ay tulungan natin ang isa’t-isa. Wag nating samantalahin ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na iyong mga nangangailangan ng tulong ngayong panahon ng Pasko,” he added. -with reports from Naomi Tiburcio/CC- bny
