2 cops dead, 21 missing in E. Samar

MANILA, Philippines - Two policemen died while 21 others were reported missing when Super Typhoon Yolanda struck Eastern Samar last week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

Another policeman was injured as Yolanda first made landfall in the province, it reported.

The PNP said it was still accounting for almost 300 policemen who have not yet contacted their superiors in Eastern Visayas (PNP-Region 8).

Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesman, said of the 21 missing policemen, two were from Region 8-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and 19 from the Aviation Security Group of Leyte and Samar.

“Out of the 1,019 men of the PNP Leyte Provincial Office, 740 have been accounted for while 98 have not been accounted for,” said Mayor.

He explained that those considered missing are the ones formally reported by their families to the PNP as missing, while those unaccounted are those who have yet to report to their units.

“We are hoping that these unaccounted for policemen are alive and just taking care of their family, trying to settle them before reporting for work, and we understand that,” he said.

Mayor said the PNP leadership is encouraging all policemen to immediately report to their units so they would know their status.

“First we need to determine their status and for the PNP to extend assistance to policemen affected by Typhoon Yolanda.”

Mayor said in Eastern Samar, 672 policemen have been accounted for.

Without disclosing his identity, Mayor said a police superintendent from the PNP national headquarters went to Guiuan, Samar to check on his siblings, who are reportedly missing, while his parents are safe in Tacloban.