MANILA, Philippines – An elderly woman in a coastal town in Quezon met her untimely death, as she rushed on evacuating from a tsunami threat, which was later declared as a hoax.
Julieta Pañoso, 64 years old, from Candelaria, Quezon died while she was fleeing away from the supposed tsunami the resident believed in.
A text message warning of an approaching ”tsunami” from Tayabas Bay shocked the residents of Candelaria, Quezon and San Juan, Batangas.
Reports said the warning came as residents observed a decrease in the water level of the bay.
Pañoso’s relatives told the reporters that she hit her head after falling from a tricycle. The tricycle was already overcrowded, as it was filled with eight other people.
Philippine Daily reports that Brgy. Chairman George Suayan immediately clarified the issue after coordinating with upper government. Unfortunately, none of the residents wanted to listen to him.
Later that day, Dr. Henry Busar of the Quezon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) told residents that there’s no truth to the tsunami report, and it is completely a hoax. Busar further explained that the passing of Typhoon Henry may have caused the sea level to change. Meanwhile, Director Renato Solidum of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) explained that a tsunami only occurs after a strong earthquake.
The authorities are presently doing an investigation regarding the issue. Governor Jayjay Suarez of Quezon Province said he ordered an investigation to track down the person or people who started the commotion.
“Pinaiimbistigahan ko na kung saan nagmula, sino nag-umpisa, o saan nanggaling yung ganoong tsismis. Dahil, it caused unnecessary stress,” the Governor said.
(“I ordered an investigation as to where this hoax came from, who started this or where this hearsay came from, because it caused unnecessary stress.”)
Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Omega Jireh Fidel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) also considers the angle of theft, as the hoax might be a scare tactic which serves as a modus of thieves to make sure people are not in their corresponding houses.
“
P’wede ring maging modus ng mga kawatan ‘yan. Kapag wala pong tao sa bahay, ‘yun po ang opportunity para makapasok yung mga kawatan.”
(“This might be a modus for the thieves. If no one is at home, that will be a good opportunity for the thieves to loot.”)
source:
‘Tsunami hoax’ in Quezon causes elderly woman’s death | Kicker Daily News
‘Tsunami hoax’ in Quezon causes elderly woman’s death
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