Bohol town reports 13 deaths, looting due to Odette

There were 13 deaths in Bohol's Ubay town due to Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) according to local officials, with some residents  allegedly resorting to looting amid the devastation.

According to Ian Cruz's "24 Oras Weekend" report, among those killed were members of the Ramos family, who sought refuge in a nearby warehouse as their home was ruined by the typhoon.

However, the warehouse collapsed and killed the family matriarch Tarsila, along with her children Netnet and Yanyan. The wife of the warehouse’s caretaker was also killed.

Some 15 families in the Kalanggaman area also sought refuge in a covered court. But they were forced to seek shelter elsewhere after the court's roof collapsed.

Several looting incidents had also been reported as locals, with no food, sought resources to tide them over.

“‘Yung mga puntahan ng mga tindahan nasira, tsaka ‘yung mga tao gutom, so tempting kasi merong looting talaga,” a local government official said.

(The sources of the stores have been damaged and people are hungry, so it’s tempting because there are looting incidents.)

For his part, Bohol Governor Arthur Yap said local governments have been given the authority to acquire relief goods to be given to those affected by the storm.

“To the mayors who may be able to watch this program, to take action on their own. They are given the powers to do emergency procurement anyway,” he said in the same report.

“They can emergency procure food and water. Please do not wait for the provincial government,” he added.

Odette left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday afternoon, after causing “total devastation” along its path. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA New