"Tacloban escapees" Rumors sow confusion in Medellin

CEBU, Philippines - Reports of suspicious men have been rife in Medellin town recently following rumors of inmates from Tacloban escaping to Cebu, leading some families to evacuate to the municipal hall for their safety and authorities on a wild goose chase.

Responding to one such report, Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez and his men instead found a man and woman having sex in a shanty last Monday night.

Ramirez and his men received a report the other night that a suspicious man was ransacking a shanty, when they came across the couple. He said that they were careful in observing the place as the target house was located in a secluded area away from the road.

"Gamay kaayong balaya, gimao-mao ra'g ayo ug tuod man nagkanaas ang sakop ug among gi-alirongan ug nisenyas ko sa akong sakop nga dasmagi dayun ang daw murag tulda nga gibuhat ug pultahan," Ramirez said.

One man was ready with a flashlight while the other had a gun and opened the tarpaulin which served as the door of the shanty. Ramirez said that he was surprised when the two turned back and put off the flashlight.

"Nangutana dayun ko'g unsay nahitabo ug nihonghong akong sakop nga 'jerjer' (sex)," he said.

Another incident, Ramirez said, was the armed person alarm in a place which he refused to name as well as the barangay captain who responded.

The person was reported to have a weapon object tucked into his pants, believed to be a gun.

Ramirez said that tanods saw the suspect and one of them made his way behind the suspect and grabbed his arms as the others rushed in to disarm him.

"Ang tanod gi-isa niya iyang kamot aron makita ug maklaro sa kapitan unsay iya nakompiskar gikan sa tao ug nisinggit og balik 'sikit' mani kap. Usa ka lapad Tanduay 65," said Ramirez as he quoted what a tanod was saying.

Town councilor Raymond Olivar, who also responded to some incidents, clarified that there is no truth behind the reports of escapees from Tacloban City in their town.

"Palihug ayaw namo pagsige pakatap og mga messages bahin ana kay luoy na kaayo atong mga silingan," Olivar said.

Yesterday dawn, Ramirez also responded a call in Gibitngil Island following the sighting of a boat anchored in the area.

A certain Nanith Pones said she received a call from her relatives in Gibitngil about escapees from Tacloban.

Ramirez said that when they approached the boat they found that its passengers were heading to Doong Island in Bantayan, but took shelter in Gibitngil due to strong winds.

"Thanks Mayor Ricky Ramirez for the rescue and for checking on time. Truly we can always count on you. God bless!" Pones posted in her Facebook page.

Despite negative outcomes, town authorities are still monitoring reports of suspicious persons. — (FREEMAN)