Malacañang on Wednesday, Dec. 22, asked looters and business owners overpricing consumer goods amid the devastation left by Typhoon “Odette” not to take advantage of their fellow Filipinos who are already suffering.
“Ang sa akin na lang siguro, isang pakiusap sa ating mga kababayan lalong lalo na sa panahon ngayon ng Pasko (For me, one plea to our fellowmen especially this time of Christmas), please let us not take advantage of our fellow Filipinos who are suffering right now,” Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said.
The Palace official reminded Filipinos to help each other and not take advantage of the situation, especially because many have already lost so much because of the typhoon.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has already augmented the number of police officers in areas where there are reported looting and overpriced goods.
Nograles said that the PNP’s top brass sent additional personnel from different regions not affected by Odette.
“So, meron siyang ginawang (they did a) pairing. That will address iyong (the) needs ng mga regions na iyon (of those regions) for additional manpower from the PNP to ensure peace and order especially doon (in) the areas na may nababalitaan po kayong (that you reported there are) certain areas na may (with) looting,” he added.
The spokesman, however, downplayed the looting incidents and said that it was not yet “in massive scale” and that it happened in “very few areas.”
“We’ve been able to keep the peace and order situation on the ground. Obviously, we look up to the LGUs (local government units) for that,” he said.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is also expected to augment the number of workers in areas where vendors are overpricing essential goods and services needed by the typhoon victims.
READ: DTI orders crackdown vs profiteers
Nograles said that national agencies are trained to identify where additional manpower is needed especially in times of calamities.
Reports on looting followed the concerns raised by Bohol Governor Arthur Yap who said that he could no longer provide food since his contingency fund already run out. Bohol remained without power and telephone lines since the typhoon struck.
The governor warned that looting might happen if relief aid does not come soon to his province. Similar incidences are feared in other areas ravaged by Odette.