PNP: No looting in Siargao, Dinagat

MANILA, Philippines — Police have not confirmed looting in Siargao and Dinagat islands following the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.

Caraga police director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. personally verified reports of looting in the two provinces, according to Maj. Dorothy Tumulak regional police spokesperson.

“Wala pa namang mga report na confirmed. May mga sabi-sabi, may mga information kaya bine-verify ng PNP (Philippine National Police) personnel doon sa lugar,” she said in an interview over dzBB.

Looting and food riots are feared in areas hardest hit by the typhoon due to slow relief and recovery efforts.

Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap had earlier raised this concern as he appealed to the government to immediately send food and other aid.

Yap said security forces would have to be deployed to prevent looting amid a food shortage.

As this developed, 400 police personnel were deployed to Siargao and Dinagat Islands as well as Surigao City to maintain peace and order.

The police officers were pulled out from their Basic Internal Security Operation Course training in Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte.

Tumulak said 90 police personnel were dispatched to Siargao, 30 in Dinagat and 280 in Surigao City.

She said the deployment of additional personnel is seen to boost security in the three areas, where local police were among those affected by the typhoon.

“Nawalan talaga ng bahay yung mga PNP personnel,” Tumulak said.

The Caraga police provided financial assistance to police units in Siargao, Dinagat and Surigao.