Palace: 'Don't take advantage of misery of fellow Pinoys'

Amid reports of looting and overcharging, Malacañang on Monday appealed to Filipinos to refrain from exploiting the situation in areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda.

 

"Iyon po ay isa sa mga concerns that we will have to address. We would urge our fellow Filipinos: Huwag naman po i-take advantage ang misery ng kapwa Pilipino. Hindi ho siguro magandang gawin iyon," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press conference.

 

"This is a time where all Filipinos should band together, help each other, and not (a time) to take advantage of the misery that has befallen all of the affected areas in Eastern Visayas," he added.

 

He issued the statement after getting reports that some motorcycle drivers were overcharging residents traveling between Ormoc and Tacloban.

 

Before this, several Tacloban residents were also seen looting grocery stores and breaking into shops for food and other basic items.

 

During the same briefing, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras deferred from commenting on the legality or validity of victims looting for food and other basic needs.

Looting for unnecessary items, however, was another matter. 

 

"Ang hindi lang po maganda ay yung looting na kasama na yung television set, pati po yung signage ng McDonalds na 'drive thru' nakalagay.  Meron kaming nakita bitbit yun. Anong gagawin mo doon? Utang na loob, di ba? Ibebenta mo ba yun?" he said. — JDS, GMA News