BFP launches Victims Information Center for missing persons due to "Odette"
The Bureau of Fire Protection has launched a platform where relatives could report and get updates on search and rescue mission of their kin that were affected by typhoon "Odette".
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the Victims Information Center will be set up in all fire stations in the areas devastated by the weather disturbance.
"All our kababayans would have to do is to go the fire stations and provide the necessary information for their missing relatives. These centers will also serve as ares where they could get updates," said Año during the Talk to the People with President Duterte on Tuesday night, Dec. 21.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that there were at least 56 people who were reported missing.
Año said more than 14,000 policemen and more than 10,000 BFP personnel were deployed in areas affected by the typhoon to assist in the search and rescue, road clearing and other response to assist those affected.
Based on the PNP data, at least 375 people died as a result of the "Odette" onslaught but the police already stopped providing details on casualties since noon on Tuesday reportedly based on the instructions from "above"
The Office of Civil Defense, however, denied issuing gag order on the PNP.