Residents stand on the ruins of their house amidst other destroyed houses after Super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city in central Philippines November 10, 2013. One of the most powerful storms ever recorded killed at least 10,000 people in the central Philippines province of Leyte, a senior police official said on Sunday, with coastal towns and the regional capital devastated by huge waves. Super typhoon Haiyan destroyed about 70 to 80 percent of the area in its path as it tore through the province on Friday, said chief superintendent Elmer Soria, a regional police director. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Tacloban is now facing law and order problems and a risk of a fuel shortage, according to Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado.
Mercado said he has received reports that people have resorted to looting automated teller machines (ATMs) out of despair.
“I hope the Office of the Civil Defense will focus on this. We also asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to send troops in the area to maintain peace and order,” he said.
An earlier clip showed the looting at Gaisano mall in Tacloban City after the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda as hundreds of residents took advantage of the breakdown in law and order out of despair.
Mercado also appealed to the private sector to send help, especially as supplies for basic goods are nearly dissipated.
“We are also seeing long lines in gas stations. I fear a shortage of fuels in the entire region 8,” he said.
The lawmaker added that they also badly need medicines such as anti-tetanus medicines. “There are a lot of nails scattered. We need medicines, antibiotics,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mercado warned that both Tacloban and Ormoc should already prepare for another broiling low pressure area.
“It’s again getting dark here. There may be a need to send the people back to evacuation centers,” he noted, saying preparation is always key in order to save lives.
“In Tacloban, it’s really chaotic, there is no preemptive evacuation. There is no proper planning on the ground,” he said.
The weather bureau is looking at another weather disturbance off Philippine waters. If it enters the country’s area of responsibility, it will be called Zorayda. (MNS)