INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has sent almost 900 policemen to restore law and order in typhoon-battered areas where looting is reported.
“We have actually 883 police personnel deployed in different areas,” PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima said in a press briefing on Monday.
Of these figures, 639 were sent to Tacloban City, where widespread looting was reported in the aftermath of the monster typhoon.
Tacloban City was one of the hardly hit areas from the onslaught of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan), which was regarded as one of the strongest typhoons in world history.
Purisima said he also did not see the need for martial law or state of emergency to be declared in Tacloban City. President Benigno Aquino was earlier urged by a local official to declare martial law because of the looting reports.
“In my opinion, there’s no need to declare martial law. What our fellowmen need in Tacloban City is food. We should provide all the things that they need, and the government can provide that.” he said.
“President Aquino went there to personally assess the situation. They will be the ones who will decide what to do next. What we are going to do is to restore law and order in that area,” he said.
Additional troops will be sent to Tacloban City if the situation warrants, Purisima said.
Looting is reported at some establishments by some people who were seeking for food and water. But reports said that some were sighted taking appliances.
“If you look at history of calamities, looting happens if there is nothing to eat…This is only done when people are hungry. So we need to address this,” he said.
But to those taking appliances and other items, he said they should be arrested as it is already robbery. He urged the looters to return the items they took,” he said.
“We need to restore the place first. If we see the items in their houses, we will file charges against them. That’s the next thing we will do,” he said.
Purisima admitted that they have become “lenient” on arresting looters.
“Actually we have become lenient on arresting [looters] because, where do we detain them?” he said.
The PNP chief emphasized that they are targeting to have “substantial control” of the city within the day.
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