Cops, soldiers deployed vs looters

MANILA, Philippines - Reports of looting in typhoon-devastated Tacloban City prompted the deployment of 120 members of the elite Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police and 100 soldiers.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said yesterday PNP chief Alan Purisima went to Tacloban to monitor the situation.

The deployment followed media reports of looting at the Gaisano Mall in Tacloban.

Valte said Palace officials saw news reports of the looting, adding that keeping the peace was as important as relief efforts in the typhoon-hit areas.

The Philippine Red Cross also reported yesterday that a group of unidentified men attempted to snatch relief goods intended for typhoon victims.

Red Cross secretary-general Gwendolyn Pang said a truckload of PRC relief goods from Surigao was on its way to Tacloban when a group of people tried to take it away.

“Our truck was on its way to Tacloban but it had to stop in Tanauan (Leyte) because the bridge there had collapsed when a group of people wanted to get the relief goods, but we cannot just distribute it like that,” Pang explained.

As of press time, Pang said, they were still trying to verify if the relief goods were still intact.

“We have deployed additional teams from the PNP. And as far as I know, there have also been personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines who have been deployed for the purpose of keeping the peace in those areas,” Valte said.

A C-130 plane left Villamor Air Base in Pasay City yesterday morning carrying relief goods that would be distributed to typhoon victims.

Eighty other policemen were sent to other parts of the province to prevent looting.

Purisima said the 120 SAF members were in addition to the 150 PNP personnel from the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) and Central Visayas (PRO7) who were sent to Tacloban last night.

“We ask of our countrymen to remain strong in the face of all these suffering and hardship,” said Purisima.

In a statement, the PNP said a total of 466 personnel from SAF, NCRPO, Central Visayas, Caraga, Health Service, Crime Laboratory and communication and electronic service have been sent to Tacloban, Ormoc City and Capiz.

“A standby force of 297 personnel from Southern Tagalog, Bicol and SAF are also ready for dispatch when the need arises,” said Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor, spokesman for the PNP chief.

Director Lina Sarmiento, commander of the task group of police response to Typhoon Yolanda, said SAF chief Director Carmelo Valmoria was given special instructions to immediately set up a command post in Tacloban.

“They were deployed to maintain peace and order in Tacloban City,” said Sarmiento. “Their presence is more for search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the affected areas, considering the extent of damage of the super typhoon in Tacloban City alone.”

If the need arises, Sarmiento said more policemen from other parts of the country are on standby and ready for deployment in storm-affected areas.

She said there were reports of “organized looting” by some residents in Tacloban.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala urged the affected residents to be patient and to cooperate with security forces conducting relief efforts.

“The AFP deployed 100 more soldiers to help police and existing military forces in their efforts to restore peace and order in the typhoon-struck Tacloban City,” Zagala said.

“As we firmly establish command and control in affected areas, we appeal to the public to be patient. We understand your emotion and frustration due to the lack of information coming out,” he added.

A Philippine Air Force Fokker plane yesterday airlifted technical and humanitarian personnel to address the needs of people in Tacloban.

Among those who were part of the special flight were technicians from Smart Communications, three personnel from the United Nations, 22 foreign medical volunteers of the Mammoth Medical Mission from California and an air traffic controller from the Air Traffic Organization.

The military had earlier deployed communications system personnel to set up alternative communication facilities at the Tacloban Police Station, the Villamor Air Base Operations Center, Roxas City in Capiz and Mactan City in Cebu to monitor rescue and relief efforts.

– With Mayen Jaymalin, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Alexis Romero