DILG: We will file cases at Ombudsman vs local execs who left PH amid Uwan

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday said cases will be filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against local officials who left the country amid the onslaught of Tropical Cyclone Uwan.

“Halos kumpleto na so we will file the corresponding cases sa Ombudsman sa mga nag-violate blatantly na ginawa nila,” DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla in an ambush interview. 

(It is already nearly complete so we will file the corresponding cases before the Ombudsman for their blatant violation.)

According to Remulla, the possible violations the local officials are facing are abandonment of duty, gross neglect, and insubordination.

On November 8, the DILG ordered all elective and appointive local officials to cancel and suspend foreign travel from November 9 to 15 as the country braces for the impact of Super Typhoon Uwan.

Remulla emphasized that governors, mayors, barangay captains, and other local officials must lead on the ground. 

According to the DILG, 24 local officials are under investigation after they left the country despite the order.

A total of 28 persons were reported killed due to Uwan, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Monday. — RF, GMA Integrated News