Police on guard vs. sale of relief goods in typhoon-hit Eastern Samar

Myra De Guzman, a resident of Hernani town in typhoon-wrecked Eastern Samar, has boxfuls of relief items, mostly canned goods and instant noodles.

In a report on GMA News' “24 Oras” on Tuesday, de Guzman said the relief items have accumulated since deliveries for such goods in their barangay happen three to four times a day.

Selling the items is a temptation, but authorities said it is illegal.

In fact, police in Eastern Samar are on guard following reports that some residents have been selling the relief goods that they are receiving, the “24 Oras” report said.

“Binabawasan ang relief (goods) at binibenta ng recipient... either yung namimigay o mismong nakatatanggap,” said Senior Superintendent Allan Cuevillas of the Eastern Samar police.

De Guzman, meanwhile, said she doubts somebody would buy the relief goods in case she decides to sell them.

“Wala pong bumibili kahit ibenta, kasi po karamihan naman po talagang mayroon nang delata at noodles,” she said in the report.

De Guzman said they were not receiving other necessary goods such as diapers and medicine. “'Yun po ang wala rito. Wala po mabibili kahit po may pera,” she said.

Cuevillas said civilian-dressed police personnel were patrolling areas to curb the sale.

Latest government figures show the number of fatalities from Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the world's strongest typhoon to hit land, at 5,680, with 26,233 injured and 1,779 missing.

Various countries have donated to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, which flattened entire towns and cities in the Visayas on November 8. Relief and rehabilitation efforts are still underway. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/KBK, GMA News