Governor assures province is ready for influx of evacuees

CEBU, Philippines - With more and more residents from towns and cities struck by super typhoon “Yolanda” in Eastern Visayas heading to Cebu, Governor Hilario Davide III assured security measures will be in place in the province.

“We need to be vigilant, we need the PNP to be watchful even the military,” Davide said, following reports of detainees who have escaped prison in Leyte and allegedly led in looting. 

“Kuyawan ko muari na sila and these are criminal elements,” he admitted, but assured security measures will be put in place after he meets with the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO).

 The Regional Intelligence Division (RID)-7 even sent intelligence personnel to Tacloban City Monday after receiving information from the Tacloban Provincial Jail that around 700 inmates have bolted jail.

Supt. Pablo Labra, officer-in-charge of RID-7, said they are currently verifying information that the escapees have boarded vessels and planes for Cebu.   The RID-7 is also coordinating with the TPJ to get the profiles and pictures of the escapees for monitoring at the different entry points from Leyte.

“So far, wala pa tay nakita o na-monitor nga escapees sa atong area pero dili lang una ta mukumpiyansa,” Labra assured.

In line with this, the RID-7 organized a seminar yesterday with mall and convenience store owners in Cebu City on how to detect fake currency and criminal elements’ modus operandi.

“So if they can detect, they can inform us and we will be the ones to do action,” Labra said.

Meanwhile, Davide said the national government has given the province a heads up on the need to put up tent cities where evacuees can stay. Specific areas are yet to be identified.

“That’s my concern, we have to be ready,” Davide said.

Meanwhile, Davide said the province has reached the towns and cities in northern Cebu that were battered by Yolanda, but reaching the islets has been difficult because most of the boats that could access the areas were also destroyed during the typhoon.

Davide said they are hoping to fly to the islets today using military choppers, but this would depend on the availability of choppers because most of them are being used in the operations in Eastern Visayas.

Also yesterday, Capitol dispatched six teams to assess the situations in the northern towns. The teams are separate from those assigned to transport relief goods to the towns.

The Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association Incorporated has also initiated a relief campaign for typhoon victims.

“As part our social responsibility we are taking part on the relief campaign for those who are victims of typhoon Yolanda,” said Supt. Rex Derilo, deputy chief of the RID-7.

PRO-7 serves as drop-off center of relief goods like rice, canned goods, noodles, hygiene kits, used clothing and cash donations.

“We are appealing to other members of the PNPAAAI to support our efforts,” he said. — (FREEMAN)