December 19, 2011 - National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) almost lost to track the true number of fatalities due to the lashes of Typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro City and other provinces in Mindanao.
According to NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos, based on the last record, up to nearly 784 fatalities are recorded due to the storm.
But officials still worries that the death toll still increases due to new reports associated with these bodies recovered.
Most claimed corpse were recovered in the state of decomposition which is supposedly the big problem on how to dispose them.
Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) sents experts in the above areas to assist to help in identifying those killed.
According to NBI Medico-Legal Division chief Dr. Alvin David, the team went to CDO was compose of Disaster Victim Identification Team (DVIT) that includes medico-legal, forensic odontologist and dactyloscopy.
David assured that it will be quick to identify their bodies because for the first time said they would use a high-tech, genetic analyzer used in forensic investigations.
"We have the DNA machines where we can possibly compare 'yong DNA profile of the victim with the nearest of kin para madali ang identification process. The result would be 99.9 percent," said David.
David added that 24 hours passed since the victims of the storm was recovered so that only one physical features of these victims are usually blackening face, protruding the lips, eyes and bloated body.
"Mahirap nang magbase ng identification on the physical features alone," officials added.
Meanwhile, additional 500 coffins will be distributed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the victims of Typhoon Sendong.
Announced by AFP public affairs office head Arnulfo Burgos, that the landing ship vessel of the Philippine Navy will be shipping from Sangley Point, Cavite who will bear the coffins and said relief goods for disaster victims.
AFP chief Gen. Jesse Dellosa ordered the deployment of a battalion of soldiers to assist in rescue operations in Cagayan de Oro City and nearby provinces.
There are also two medical teams reportedly sent by AFP in affected areas.
The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) rushed the work to restore the supply of clean water for the victims of Typhoon Sendong in the city of Cagayan de Oro.
According to LWUA Public Affairs Division Manager Engr. Antonio Magtibay, while waiting for the repair of damaged water facilities in the town of Macasandig, they already sent four portable water treatment plant.
Two of these plants are expected to come to the city this evening while the two were to be carried for one more day on the ship.
LWUA also sent some engineers to perform an assessment and give a remedial procedure to the damaged water district facilities.
Source: Bomboradyo
