Cops told to secure abandoned houses, buildings in Bohol to prevent looting

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. INQUIRER File Photo

MANILA, Philippines—Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II has ordered local police units in areas affected by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit parts of the Visayas to secure houses left by residents who sought safer ground.

The order was made to avoid possible looting as some individuals may take advantage of the crisis.

He also said the Philippine National Police is also providing security to commercial establishments that have opened, considering the anticipated large number of people waiting up on them to buy goods.

“PNP is also coordinating with DTI [Department of Trade and Industry], as well as with the provincial and local governments units, particularly in Tagbilaran [in Bohol] to encourage local businessmen to open [their stores],” Roxas said, and stressed that “there is sufficient supply of goods.”

“It’s just that it’s not getting to the people because . . . [the stores] remain closed,” Roxas said.

He also instructed the PNP and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to mobilize their engineers and help in the structural assessment of public infrastructure and vital installations.

Given priority for inspection are power and water supply facilities, hospitals, public and commercial buildings, bridges and major road networks.

For his part, Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP-Public Information Office chief, said PNP chief, Director General Alan Purisima, has ordered regional and provincial directors in areas devastated by the earthquake to identify and designate safe evacuation areas where affected residents may seek refuge in the event of aftershocks.

The PNP director for comptrollership and logistics was also instructed to attend to the budgetary and logistics needs of PNP line units, especially police facilities which suffered damages, and to support those that are directly involved in disaster response operations.

Sindac also said PNP units in Cebu and Bohol, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways and local government units, were clearing main thoroughfares for unhampered delivery of services and supplies.