Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered the agency to help speed up the validation of casualties resulting from the onslaught of Tropical Depression Opong (international name: Bualoi).
‘Challenges remain in accessing remote and heavily impacted areas due to damaged infrastructure, as well as in the identification of remains in advanced stages of decomposition,’ the PNP said in a statement on Wednesday.
‘[Nartatez] instructed police responders to help speed up the validation of casualties related to Typhoon Opong,’ it added.
At least 37 were reported dead, 41 were reported injured and 14 were reported missing due to the combined effects of Opong, Super Typhoon Nando (Ragasa) and Tropical Depression Mirasol (Mitag) as of Wednesday, according to the NDRRMC’s latest situational report.
Of the casualties, 33 deaths, 27 injuries and 14 missing persons have yet to be validated by the authorities, the NDRRMC noted.
Opong left the Philippine area of responsibility last Saturday, after making landfalls in Eastern Samar, Masbate, Romblon and Oriental Mindoro.