FILE PHOTO: Residents of Ubay, Bohol, dig through piles of debris to find anything they can use to rebuild their homes destroyed by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai), as it battered the Visayas and Mindanao regions in mid-December 2021. Leo Udtohan
MANILA, Philippines — Acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Wednesday appealed to Filipinos to not take advantage of those affected by Typhoon Odette amid reported looting incidents.
Earlier, Bohol Governor Arthur Yap said that there are reported cases of small-scale looting, calling on the national government to send food and assistance.
“Ang sa akin na lamang siguro is pakiusap sa ating mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na sa panahon ngayon ng Pasko, na please let’s not take advantage of our fellow Filipinos who are suffering right now,” Nograles said during the Palace press briefing.
(I plead to our fellow Filipinos, especially as Christmas approaches, please let’s not take advantage of our fellow Filipinos who are suffering right now.)
“Ang panawagan po natin sa ating mga kababayan ay tulungan ang isa’t isa. Huwag po nating pagsamantalahin ang ating mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na po ‘yung mga nangangailangan ng tulong ngayong panahon ng pasko,” he continued.
(Our appeal to our fellow Filipinos is to help one another. Do not take advantage of others, especially those who need help this Christmas.)
The Palace official likewise said that President Rodrigo Duterte has directed concerned government agencies to look into concerns of overpricing.
“Even si Pangulong (President) Duterte, himself, in his personal visits to the areas, he has given strict instructions na whether it’s to the DOE (Department of Energy) and other concerned agencies to look especially into these concerns, ‘yung (of) overpricing, dumodoble ‘yung presyo (doubling of prices), people taking advantage,” he said.
“So, as far as the implementation and enforcement is concerned, may instructions na po si pangulo diyan (the president has already given instructions),” Nograles added.
Based on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s latest report this day, 368,063 families or 1,382,252 individuals were affected by Typhoon Odette.
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