INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) attacked trucks carrying relief goods to victims of supertyphoon “Yolanda” in a Leyte town, according to reports posted on social media by concerned netizens.
The reports could not be confirmed immediately with authorities.
A Facebook user named Jeff Nivera posted online a text from a relative: “NPAs from samar attacked carigara. We were near capoocan when cars coming in our direction kept screaming go back! there’s war in carigara. We’re rushing back to ormoc to take cover. Pls tell the media to help our town. NPAs may have heard some relief goods were coming- I don’t know. They may have come for us. It just happened that our ship got delayed this a.m. Or maybe they think food is available in our town kc tabo yana. Pls pray for soldiers as well. Some soldiers are out on the streets ready to stop them from reaching ormoc. Our relief trucks are in ormoc. May God help us all.”
On Twitter, Ira Abigail Legaspi (@mslokaret) tweeted 13 minutes ago: “Help!! The NPA ‘s are attacking our hometown Carigara, leyte!! Lord keep my family safe! Pls pls! Naiiyak na akoooo!!!! #PrayforPhilippines”
In a Facebook page, Geness Gnp said: “Help!!!! nagkakabarilan daw ha bungto ha carigara kay adto daw an mga npa!!!!!! tumawag pinsan ko sa sister nya. pinabalik daw sila ormoc dahil sa sitwasyon.”
No other details were provided as of posting time.
Leyte is among the provinces in the Visayas hard hit by “Yolanda.”
As of posting time, the supertyphoon has left over 2,275 dead, totally destroyed 80,000 houses and left the economy in shambles, the damage of which is estimated at P604 billion.
RELATED STORIES
‘Yolanda’ death toll jumps to 2,275
Economist estimates ‘Yolanda’ impact on PH economy at P604 B