HEADLINES: Govt goes all-out to aid storm victims | October 26, 2024

Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Saturday, October 26, 2024.

Today's episode is brought to you by Wilcon Depot, The Philippines' leading home improvement and construction supplies retailer—your Trusted Building Partner.

READ: Govt goes all-out to aid storm victims

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday ordered the full mobilization of all government assets, including the presidential helicopters, for rescue and relief missions in areas affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami). To ensure that his directive was fully carried out, the President ordered Cabinet secretaries to lead relief and rehabilitation work. He said he wanted «a conveyor belt of aid that is constantly delivering aid to the front.»

READ: Deaths from 'Kristine' onslaught climb to 46

THE Office of the Civil Defense reported 46 deaths due to the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. OCD Executive Director Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno also said 20 people were reported missing and seven were injured. The figures are still being validated by the OCD. Majority of the deaths were in the Bicol Region with 28. Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) followed with 15. Almost all of the deaths were attributed to landslides and drowning. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said it has so far verified 13 deaths. The number of people affected by Kristine (international name: Trami) rose to 2,656,446.

READ: Bato to 'share truth' at blue ribbon probe

In other news, Sen. Ronald «Bato» Dela Rosa on Friday said he is prepared to «share the truth» about the war on illegal drugs of former president Rodrigo Duterte when the Senate blue ribbon committee starts its inquiry on Monday. In facing his accusers, Dela Rosa said he would be frank and candid to set the record straight on allegations being thrown against him as one of the chief implementers of the war on drugs during his tenure as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief.

READ: DoJ orders relentless pursuit of drug cohort

JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla called on the public to collaborate with law enforcement agencies in identifying