President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday condemned the ambush by alleged members of the New people’s Army (NPA) to soldiers providing relief to victims of Tropical Storm “Urduja” in Northern Samar. Duterte made the remarks during his visit to storm-ravaged Biliran, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said. “He of course condoled with the victims of typhoon Urduja and pledged that government will do everything it can to help Biliran rise again,” Roque said. Roque said Duterte was also informed that the airports in Tacloban and in Ormoc in Leyte were already operating. “Grace Casil, mayor of Biliran, warned that food supplies in Biliran will only last until today, and the President said that if the supplies don’t come soon enough he will order the Air Force to airlift food supplies,” he said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 18, 2017 10:52 UTC