Region’s death toll now 52

CEBU, Philippines - The number of casualties in Central Visayas has now reached 52 and is still expected to go up, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 said yesterday.

At least 34 were also reported injured and eight others, including one in Bohol, remain missing.

Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino, PRO-7 director, said most of the casualties were those who opted to stay in their respective houses despite advisories for immediate evacuation.

“Yung mga (The) victims ay nadaganan ng puno at ng (got pinned under by trees and hit by) debris nga bahay (from destroyed houses),” Constantino told a press conference.

He said the number would likely rise once they receive more information from other parts of the region.

He admitted that they still have a problem in terms of sending reports due to damaged communication lines in some parts of northern Cebu. Their radio transmitter in Busay, Cebu City was also destroyed.

Constantino said they are now coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command for his office to borrow at least two high-frequency handheld radios while they are waiting for their Information Technology Management Service to finish restoring their communication lines.

“Kaya kahit dalawang  radio(s) lang ok na basta may  communication kami kasi ang hirap na wala kang info,” he said.

Also, Constantino said at least 66 policemen were sent Saturday evening to Bantayan Island to assist in disaster management operation. They were divided into two platoons each headed by Insp. Alfredo Mayol and Insp. Rey Delos Santos.

Another 56 personnel were also sent to mainland northern Cebu to help in the clearing roads blocked by trees and electricity posts. 

PRO-7 likewise dispatched 32 policemen headed by Inspectors Von Alegria and Enguito Alvino from the Regional Public Safety Battalion to augment government forces in Tacloban City.

Constantino said they also deployed 66 policemen to Ormoc City and still have 50 more from the Cebu Provincial Police Office placed on standby and ready for deployment anytime.

“We are making sure that areas affected have police visibility para hindi mangyari ang nangyari sa (to prevent a repeat of what happened in) Tacloban City,” he said, referring to looting and anarchy happened on the wake of super typhoon Yolanda.  (FREEMAN)