Hoax message stirs Cebuanos

CEBU, Philippines - Many people ended up sleeping outdoors the other night following a message that a magnitude 8 earthquake would hit Cebu and Bohol.

The message reads: “NEWS ALERT!!! A MUST READ on Oct. 20, 2013 via TV5 PHIVOLCS reported that there is a blind fault line located in Sagbayan, Bohol. If the West Valley fault will move, they expect all Visayans especially Boholanos to prepare for the (8.0 magnitude)!!! Which will also affect CEBU!!! Please pass.”

The message circulated through text and through social media.

Geologist Jeffrey Perez of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the agency did not release such information. TV5 also denied the same.

But even with authorities saying the occurrence of an earthquake cannot be predicted, many people still believed the message and chose to spend the night in open spaces – at parks, school grounds, and even in center islands in the streets. 

Cebu City personnel who monitored the situation listed at least 10 barangays with the most number of people leaving their houses, including Duljo Fatima, Hipodromo, Kalunasan, Sambag I and II, Tinago, Day-as, T. Padilla, Lorega, Mabolo, Luz, and Pahina San Nicolas.

That very night, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Governor Hilario Davide III called on residents to disregard the message and to not believe information that does not come from credible sources and/or proper authorities.

“Ayaw kamo pagtoo anang mga text messages nga madawat ninyo... Be calm, lets continue to pray,” Davide said.

Charges

Yesterday, Police Regional Office 7 Director Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino said whoever will be identified and proven to have spread the false information may face charges.

“Pwedeng kasuhan ‘yun for disseminating information na wala namang katotohanan (The person may be charged for disseminating incorrect information),” he said.

With the barangay polls just less than two weeks away, PRO-7 has placed the entire Region 7 under full alert status starting last October 15 until November 12. This means it can utilize all of its men during this period.

Preparedness

PHIVOLCS yesterday warned people against entering buildings that have been heavily damaged by the earthquake because aftershocks can damage the structure more. 

The agency recorded at 2,255 aftershocks since October 15 when the earthquake hit – 49 of which were recorded with intensities. Aftershocks are expected to last up to three weeks, but are expected to become weaker by the day.

The 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit last October 15 was categorized as “destructive” and damaging.

Also yesterday, the earthquake debriefing and preparedness lecture organized by the Cebu City government and the Department of Education (DepEd) kicked off  with teachers and principals in the South District Cluster 4.

“We will conduct the lecture according to the schedule and clustering created by DepEd Cebu City Division scheduled to run from October 21 to 25 in order to maximize the suspension of classes. The first day was very nice because we were able to make them process their experiences and how to handle them. We devised it in a way that it is interactive with participants identifying the causes of their physical and psychological stress,” Councilor Dave Tumulak told The Freeman.

Today, Punta Princesa Elementary School will house the SD cluster 5 participants and Abellana National School for North District (ND) cluster 2 both in the morning. In the afternoon, the session will be held at the Basak Gym for SD cluster 1 and Mabolo Gym for ND cluster 4. Pardo Gym and Lahug Elementary School will be the venues for the October 23 morning session of SD cluster 2 and ND cluster 3, respectively. The afternoon session will be at Inayawan Gym for SD cluster 7 and Tejero Elementary School for ND cluster 5.

In the morning on the fourth day, Mambaling Elementary School will host the SD cluster 3 sessions while Zapatera Elementary School will host the sessions for ND cluster 6. In the afternoon, the sessions will be held at the City Central Elementary School for ND cluster 1 and Talamban Elementary School for ND cluster 8.

The following day, the Guadalupe Gym will host the sessions for SD cluster 6 and Barrio Luz Elementary School will host sessions for ND cluster 7 in the morning while the San Nicolas Elementary School will host the sessions for SD cluster 8 in the afternoon.

The lecture is an initiative of the city government through the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office together with barangay and volunteer Emergency Medical System units.  (FREEMAN)