DILG rebuts lawyer who claimed Año was ”missing in action” during ”Ulysses”

November 19, 2020

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday assured that Secretary Eduardo Año was working before, during and after the onslaught of Typhoon ''Ulysses'' after he was criticized by a lawyer for being ''missing in action''.

In a statement, Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said Año issued advisories to all LGUs directing them to activate their emergency operations centers and disaster monitoring systems as early as November 9.

“Prior to landfall on November 11, he spoke on national media outlets advising the public and local government units (LGUs) officials, especially in Bicol, to immediately implement Operation Listo protocols, establish critical preparedness actions, prioritize the prepositioning of supplies, equipment and personnel for immediate response, and brace themselves for the typhoon,” Malaya said.

He said  Año  attended and actively participated in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) meeting as the country prepared for “Ulysses”.

“Also, the LGUs activated their respective Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils for early warning measures and monitoring of areas susceptible to flood and storm surges,” he said.

“As the typhoon was wreaking havoc, the DILG was conducting information dissemination actions using all media platforms to update the public about typhoon developments,” he added.

Malaya said after the storm, Año deployed 3,267 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to Cagayan and Isabela provinces to conduct search and rescue, and disaster response operations.

A total of 363 rescue teams composed of 25,000 PNP officers and 10,147 BFP personnel were sent to regions affected in Luzon, including the National Capital Region, to aid affected families and individuals.

Malaya told  lawyer Wilfredo Garrido that he did not do his “homework” when he claimed Año was “missing in action” during the typhoon.

“Secretary Año was definitely at the right places doing the right actions at the right time. Only a person whose eyes have been blinded by malice or political agenda cannot see. Or as the Bible says, 'You have eyes, but you cannot see,'” he said.

“We strongly condemn your malicious and baseless imputation. For security reasons and to prevent accusations of being 'epal' in this time of crisis, the DILG Secretary need not publicize 24/7 his whereabouts and how he does his work. It is not a crime to quietly do your job,” he added.

Malaya said Año as a retired Armed Forces chief has the discipline of a good soldier and the integrity to do his duty, especially during disasters. Ella Dionisio/DMS