In search for missing persons during Sinulog: CCDRRMC asks families to cooperate

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is asking for cooperation from the concerned kin of those reported “missing” during the Sinulog.

City Councilor David Tumulak, who heads the CCDRRMC, does not deny that they are having a difficulty verifying the status of the 24 persons who remain missing since Sunday.

“We would like to request for the public or for those who know the persons on the list to report to the nearest police station or barangay hall or to call the Command Control Center… please do let us know and to clear all doubts,” he said in an interview yesterday.

Of the 30 persons earlier reported missing, six were already found and have returned to their families on Monday. They were Cedrick Chua, Mecaila Gempayan, Gloria Angel Incil, Arly Marites Lenesa, Stephen John Torion and Ejay Vilagantol.

But Tumulak said there are still 24 persons whose locations remain unverified.

Two of the 24 were identified as elderly individuals: Rosaryo Andaya of Naga City and Emma Pansales, aged 60 and 80, respectively.

Except for a certain Angelyn Aiza Azuman, other missing persons has their corresponding age: Kendal Arpon, 5; Norma Baguio, 15; Kendal Donarpul, 5; Georgia Hernandez,  2-3; Steven Joaquin, 5 ; Kent Mateo Ngono, 8; Gian Rojero, 9; Jean Taledo, 6; Glorian Angel Zafra, 10; Ken Monica, 10; Quence Jell Dulcemae, 4; and a certain Sha-Sha, 4.

Four others still reported missing are Patris Depyesta, 9; Mary Grace Inok, 7; Adonis Lanojan, 5;  and Lemuel Lanyahon, 30, all from Cebu City;  Jetro Fabio, 15, from Lapu-Lapu City; Nora Mahasol, 49, from Toledo City; Jangid Merana, 11, from Mandaue City; Ela Mae Nalsano, 16, from Danao City; and Miram, 20, from Liloan town.

Tumulak said the data was collected from those who contacted the Command Control Center (C3), the city’s centralized communication system based in Barangay Mambaling.

The challenge now, Tumulak explained, is that C3 only has the data from the received calls, but the status, if the reported persons are still missing or not, has not been forwarded to the command unit.

“The status of those individuals on the list is still considered as missing since we don’t have any report that they have been recovered already. No one has followed up yet. And on terms of verifying their status, dili ingon ana kasayon,” said Tumulak.

Tumulak said if C3 gets feedbacks from any deputized unit, they will have to reach to the concerned police station and barangay hall for the authorities to visit personally the reported person.

“There should be proper identification. We have to double check if it’s true. There should be counter-checking so that we can erase their names and assure that they have returned to their own houses,” he said.

Tumulak plans to forward the data to the city’s police force today to coordinate with them regarding the matter.

Yesterday, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella disclosed to the media that he has called the attention of the officials from the Cebu City Police Office, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7, and the City Hall’s Department of the Social Welfare and Services to coordinate with each other in locating the whereabouts of the reported “missing” persons.

 “I have yet to wait for the report. Until now, I haven’t received any report yet. I am hoping that they have already (been working out for) an accurate report. At least for me to be aware on the possibility that they were able to return to their respective houses,” he told reporters yesterday. — (FREEMAN)