PUERTO PRINCESA: Hundreds of homes in two densely populated coastal barangays in this city were engulfed in a massive structural fire that broke out early Wednesday morning. Based on the assessment of the Puerto Princesa City Fire Station, about 920 families living in some 450 houses were forced to relocate due to the incident. The structures that were gutted were constructed from light materials in Bagong Silang and Pagkakaisa villages, situated near the cruise port project currently being developed by the government. Residents reported that the strong winds exacerbated the rapid spread of the fire which, according to their accounts, began in Barangay Bagong Silang and spread towards Pagkakaisa. Carrying only a few belongings they could salvage, they fled their engulfed houses and sought shelter on Roxas Street and Reynoso Street. More than a hundred individuals, including children and the elderly, found refuge in the sea, utilizing the low tide to their advantage. Some residents of stilt houses jumped into the seawater to escape the flames and thick smoke. Margie Arcina, a resident of Bagong Silang, said she failed to retrieve any belongings during the fire as her top priority was the safety of her children. "I didn't save anything because I first rescued my children, then my youngest child went missing. It turned out my mother-in-law took him up there (Reynoso Street). My house was gutted by the fire," she said. Arcina believed that the fire started in a neighboring house, from which a couple had departed at about 2 a.m. Cristobal Bolan and his family made their way along the city bay shoreline to flee from the fire. His father, whom he mentioned was already paralyzed, was among those rescued and evacuated, along with other relatives. "We had no choice, but to jump to the sea because we had no way out," he narrated. "There were many of us, those from the area near the water-my father's there on the shore," Bolan said. Several children were also spotted in the water with their heads above the surface , shouting for help, according to one resident's account. "There were many people there in the sea -mostly children- needing to be rescued," the resident said. Personnel from the nearby Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Palawan station were among the responders to the incident. They formed a line, passing buckets and basins filled with water, which they then used to douse the houses situated near the road. Water tankers were also dispatched by the Puerto Princesa City Water District and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) to provide essential support. City information officer Richard Ligad said a meeting was ongoing with the CDRRMO, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the City Administrator's Office, Schools Division Office of the Department of Education and other relevant line offices and agencies to discuss the welfare of the displaced residents. "We are already having a meeting for the benefit of the fire victims to help determine where we will temporarily bring them," he said. Gov't assistance House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, acting as the caretaker of the third congressional district of Palawan, announced the mobilization of government resources to assist the fire victims. He assured that the government is committed to providing immediate and effective aid to the victims, ensuring they receive the support needed to rebuild their lives. "In these trying times, it is imperative that we come together as a nation to support our fellow Filipinos. The provision of financial assistance is a crucial step in our concerted efforts to aid in their recovery," he said in a statement. With the urgency of the situation, Romualdez has endorsed the allocation of funds under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, which includes the provision of assistance, amounting to PHP10,000 per family affected, through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). DSWD spokesperson Romel Lopez said af fected individuals and families have received immediate assistance from the agency. Lopez said DSWD 4-B (Mimaropa) has distributed 200 family food packs (FFPs), 200 sanitary kits, and other non-food items to the families. 'The immediate distribution of aid is being carried out to ensure that essential supplies reach those affected right on time. Tents that will serve as temporary shelters for the affected families are also being prepared,' he said. He said DSWD 4-B, in coordination with the City Social Welfare and Development Office and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, is currently conducting profiling of the affected families. 'This necessary step helps the agency in identifying specific needs and providing targeted assistance to those who were affected by the fire incident, according to the extent of damages the victims incurred,' Lopez said. Meanwhile, the offices of the Speaker and Tingog Party-list are also preparing 3,500 food packs for the victims from their respective Perso nal Calamity Assistance Funds. Source: Philippines News Agency Bangkok, A young Japanese man cries for help. He was attacked by a Japanese Yakuza gang and seriously injured. But the prosecutor ordered the charge against the accused, punishable by only 2 months in prison, with a suspended sentence, revealing that the Yakuza are using Thailand as a place to launder money for gray businesses. "Ekkaphop" is about to inform "Big Joke" to suppress him. The victim is Mr. Tetsuo, a 35-year-old Japanese person, requesting help from Mr. Ekkaphop. Noble yellow Advisor to the Minister of Interior and the founder of the Sai Mai Must Survive page, and today (7 Feb.) took the victim to meet Mr. Kosonwat. Induchanyong Director-General of the Public Prosecutor's Office for Human Rights Protection and Legal Aid The origin of the story is that in the year 65, this young Japanese man was hanging out with friends at a restaurant in the Phra Khanong area. Suddenly, a group of 5 attackers came and attacked him, which the victims identified as the Japanese Yakuza gang. There were people carr ying golf clubs to attack. and was dragged and attacked in front of the store until he was unconscious, seriously injured, with a broken nose, broken eye, bruises all over the body. He had to recover for more than 2 months and spent more than 400,000 baht in medical expenses. At that time, he went to report the crime to Khlong Tan Police Station and earlier this year. The investigating officer forwarded the case to the prosecutor. To prosecute the accused on charges of assaulting another person causing serious injury But the prosecutor ordered only assault and bodily injury charges. Not seriously injured When the accused confessed, he was sentenced to 2 months in prison, with the sentence suspended. On January 30th, The prosecutor sent a letter to himself to file a lawsuit to claim damages. But the letter arrived on February 2. When we contacted them, it appeared that the court had already given a verdict on the case on January 30. So he felt unfair. As for the reason for being attacked The victim said that it was likely that he had previously known one of the perpetrators. From being a partner in a karaoke shop and restaurant business But they clashed because the other party tried to usurp management power, so they split up. After that, the perpetrator joined a large Yakuza gang in Japan. The victim gave information that this gang was involved in fraud in Japan and used money to launder in Thailand. Through opening restaurants and various businesses which has previously reported information to many agencies But still can't do anything. Because of the various agencies Claims that the information is insufficient After the incident, he also received a message threatening that he would be carried away and killed. While Mr. Ekkaphop Said he would take the matter of the Yakuza gang that came to do gray business in Thailand to complain to "Big Joke" Pol. Gen. Surachet Hakphan, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police. In addition to young Japanese Today, there is another Thai friend who came to provide informat ion that he was attacked by this Yakuza gang as well. The incident occurred on October 15 last year. She was attacked and punched. An ashtray was used. Soda bottle thrown at And they also put cigarettes in their own eyes. This gang has 5 people, namely Mr. Shunji, the leader of the gang. After the incident, he has returned to Japan. The 2nd person, Sawaya, is now in Thailand overstaying. The 3rd person is Hidennobu. The 4th person is Takeshi, while the 5th person is unknown. Mr. Kosolwat said that from the documents it was found that the prosecutor of the Southern Bangkok District Court case office The lawsuit has already been filed with the court. But the document from which the investigator brought a medical certificate indicating serious injury was not found. It must be treated for a long time and sent to the prosecutor. Therefore, we will inquire to get the facts from the district court prosecutor first. The case has already been filed. and the court has already ruled Dismantling a criminal case is diffi cult. But you can still sue for civil damages. which the Rights Protection Office Ready to help the victims. Source: Thai News Agency
