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Government admits it will be hard to arrest looters

Manila, Philippines – Department of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said that strictly enforcing the law against looting in Tacloban City will be difficult.

Secretary De Lima said, “Strictly enforcing the laws, including penal laws on looting during extraordinary times such as in times of calamity is easier said than done.”

The Justice Secretary explained that under Revised Penal Code (RPC), Article 310, the crime of theft shall be punishable with a penalty with a higher penalty in case it is, among others, committed on the occasion of fire, earthquake, typhoon, volcanic eruption or any calamity, vehicular accident or civil disturbance.

She added: “There are a lot of sensitivities involved here. Application of laws should thus be tempered with compassion, mercy or liberality. What is imperative is real and physical presence of authorities, both local and national, to maintain peace and order.”

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has sent almost 900 policemen to restore law and order in typhoon-battered areas where looting is reported.

PNP Chief Director General Purisima said 639 policemen were sent to Tacloban City, where widespread looting was reported in the aftermath of the super typhoon.

The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) on the other hand has warned thieves of an existing anti-fencing law amid reports of looting incidents in some typhoon-devastated municipalities in the province.

“Fencing” is the act of any person who, with intent to gain for himself or for another, shall buy, receive, possess, keep, acquire, conceal, sell or dispose of, or shall buy and sell, or in any other manner deal in any article, item, object or anything of value which he knows, or should be known to him, to have been derived from the proceeds of the crime of robbery or theft.

IPPO provincial director Senior Supt. Cornelio Salinas has ordered all chiefs of police in the province to use their visitorial power in checking all junk shops in their area of responsibility.

This after an electric company in the province reported to them that there were some thieves who have stolen their damaged electric transmission lines which give them a hard time restoring those power lines.

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