Curfew still in effect in Tacloban, Guiuan

MANILA, Philippines - More than a month after Super Typhoon Yolanda slammed Eastern Visayas, authorities have yet to lift the curfew it imposed in Taclocan City in Leyte and the Eastern Samar town of Guiuan.

Chief Superintendent Henry Losañes, Eastern Visayas regional police director, said the eight-hour, which starts 10 p.m. until 6 a.m., is still in effect.

Losañes said that they have yet to get official word from higher authorities regarding the lifting of the existing curfew.

Losañes was named regional director after the Philippine National Police top brass decided to recall Chief Superintendent Elmer Soria for stress debriefing.

Soria's relief came a few days after President Benigno Aquino III contradicted his estimate that the death toll from the super typhoon may reach 10,000. Aquino said that the death toll may only reach between 2,000 and 2,500.

The curfew was implemented based on an ordinance passed by the legislative bodies of the two local government units to restore law and order in the typhoon-hit areas at the height of incidents of looting.

Losañes said that more than 1,000 policemen, including members of the elite Special Action Force, from various regional headquarters remain in full force in the two areas.