Task force denies retrieval of 100 bodies in San Juanico Bridge

CEBU, Philippines -  The head of a task group in charge of retrieving the bodies of those who perished in typhoon Yolanda has denied reports that over a hundred corpses were retrieved under the San Juanico Bridge.

A report on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali" on Wednesday quoted Sr. Supt. Pablito Cordeta of  the Bureau of  Fire Protection as saying that only 23 bodies were found under the famous bridge.

Cordeta, head of Task Force Cadaver, said his Tacloban-based team recovers an average of  20 to 25 bodies during its daily operations in the city.

The "Balitanghali" report said volunteers from the Chinese Red Cross claimed to have retrieved more than 100 bodies under the bridge.

Cordeta appealed to foreign groups helping in the retrieval operations in typhoon-affected areas to coordinate with them first to ensure that standard operating procedures are followed during the retrieval and turnover of the bodies to authorities.

He also said bodies recovered by any group should not be immediately buried since they need to be inspected first by personnel from the Department of Health, Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation for identification purposes.

As of  6 a.m. Wednesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said the number of fatalities from Yolanda has reached 5,719. Aside from the fatalities, a total of 1,779 individuals were still missing.

Government officials earlier said more bodies may still be recovered in the coming days as various groups conduct retrieval operations in far-flung areas devastated by the typhoon.  (FREEMAN)