Aquino orders PNP: Don’t let victims return to risky villages

President Benigno Aquino III INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino 3^rd has ordered the police to make sure that the flood victims who used to live near the river and along the sea shore in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City will not be allowed to return to their homes, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome said Friday.

“Utos ng ating pangulo bago ako pumunta doon na siguraduhing huwag babalik yung mga galing sa tabi ng ilog kung saan maraming naging victim at nasama sa malakas na agos ng tubig,” Bartolome told reporters at Camp Crame in Quezon City, adding that a relocation site is now being prepared for them.

This, however, will go through a lot of convincing as some families may insist of going back to their previous homes “kahit na wala ka nang makitang resemblance na may community doon dati,” he said when asked to describe the area.

Further, he said that uprooted trees are all over the area and homes, as well as bodies, were all buried in thick mud, making the digging difficult for rescue teams conducting retrieval operations in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.

Bartolome said that he had already discussed this order with concerned mayors so that they can help in explaining to residents that this is for their own good.

If residents will be able to find some of their personal belongings, he said that they can still make use of, they can take it with them to their new home.

During his meeting with the mayors, Bartolome said that he had already given the voluntary donations from the police.

“Initially, meron pong P1 million for Iligan City and P1.5 million sa Cagayan de Oro at hinihintay pa yung donation ng iba pang pulis namin na nais magpaabot ng tulong sa mga nangangailangan,” he said.