Gunshots heard near Tacloban Operations Center

Rappler.com

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Gun shots are heard near Tacloban City Hall

PANIC. Residents and responders scatter as gun shots are heard near the Tacloban command center. Screengrab of video taken by Ruper Ambil/Rappler

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – Rappler’s Rupert Ambil reports that at least 10 gunshots were fired near the city hall Sunday afternoon, November 10, following attempts by some prisoners to escape. 

According to one jail officer, they have recaptured some of these prisoners. The gunshots have also stopped. The local jail is near the city hall, which is also the command and control center set up by the government in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda.

On Saturday, November 9, Rappler already saw two attempts by prisoners to break out of jail.

JAILBREAK? Soldiers escort captured prisoners who attempted to flee from the Tacloban city jail. Screngrab from a video taken by Rupert Ambil/Rappler

Martial law?

Earlier on Saturday, the city council and several businessmen called on president Benigno Aquino III to impose martial law in the city due to widespread looting and general chaos on the streets. (READ: Tacloban gov’t wants city under martial law)

According to Vice Mayor Jerry Yaokasin, the declaration will prevent anarchy, given that food shortage and looting are already taking place.

The President, who was in Tacloban to assess the situation, said the city council must first issue a resolution to establish there is threat of violence or anarchy. He added he is ready to act on the resolution as long as it’s endorsed by the city mayor and the first district representative. 

WATCH: Video of panic and prisoner capture in Tacloban City

– Rappler.com


Get the latest info on the status of areas affected by typhoon Yolanda (international codename: Haiyan).

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