By: Genalyn D. Kabiling
No one can predict a natural disaster, President Duterte said, as the government called on the public to stay calm yet vigilant following the powerful quake that rocked Leyte yesterday.
“To be really very, very frank with you, nobody but nobody can foretell a disaster. That’s why in the insurance business, disasters are called or categorized an “act of God,” the President said.
Duterte said this was the legal term used in the event of a massive destruction caused by earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural calamities.
“So ang God, ganito ang ating habulin. Kaya mo? Ha? Isama natin ‘yung mga pari,” said Duterte.
So far, the President said he has not yet received reports of major damage from the earthquake in Leyte.
“Wala namang nasira. Mahina ‘yun. Well, by this time, it could have caused massive destruction but there’s none,” he said.
Malacañang appealed for public vigilance against possible aftershocks. “We ask our people, especially residents of affected areas, to stay calm and yet remain alert and vigilant for aftershocks as we assure them of immediate assistance by the government,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said.
