Of all the places slammed by Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in the Philippines, none was hit harder than Tacloban City. Terrible photos show that many people died, and it looks like some of the survivors are in for a long haul. Meanwhile, scores of Tacloban residents are cheerfully stealing goods from retail outlets, according to a local news outlet and numerous eyewitnesses. Video of the scene at Gaisano mall taken by ABS-CBN can be seen here (at about 4:00 in).
Screengrabs from @TVPatrol on looting in typhoon-hit Tacloban City #YolandaPH pic.twitter.com/U8fIXcNepF
— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) November 9, 2013
Horrible to see the looting of the Gaisano Mall in Tacloban City. So sad people carting out refrigerators suitcases clothes etc. #Sad
— Angeli P Valenciano (@AngeliPV) November 9, 2013
Tacloban lawless, looting taking place earlier today, one body remained unclaimed next to our hotel #YolandaPH #Haiyan
— James Reynolds (@EarthUncutTV) November 9, 2013
Ted Failon reports looting happened in Tacloban, says Gaisano Mall may already be empty now. #YolandaPH http://t.co/9HnxzVrcrM via ANC…
— PH NEWS PORTAL (@BalitaNgayon) November 9, 2013
It is one thing for someone who is starving to steal food. It is quite another for cheerful people to haul away suitcases and a freezer used to store ice cream cones:
https://twitter.com/teyvrodriguez/status/399121534301638656
Horrible to see the looting of the Gaisano Mall in Tacloban City. So sad people carting out refrigerators suitcases clothes etc. #Sad
— Angeli P Valenciano (@AngeliPV) November 9, 2013
https://twitter.com/arniedelusong/status/399143241179594752
Many, however, say the looting is morally acceptable — or at least falls into an ethical gray area:
https://twitter.com/crockieinajar/status/399136883008995330
I don't know what and how to react when I saw the footages of looting in Tacloban. It is very difficult to say… http://t.co/ve3hP9GEVa
— Errol Gatumbato (@errolgatumbato) November 9, 2013
Dunno what to feel w/ Tacloban looting. Will end ever justify the means?! Not passing judgment tho. #YolandaPH destroyed more than lives.
— Inday Tikay ?️? (@TishaDoris) November 9, 2013
https://twitter.com/RJSuyat/status/399123854330568704
Sad to see people condemning the looters in Tacloban. While stealing is wrong, let's not judge their actions.
— Lia (@leeyahgrl) November 9, 2013
She’s not sad about the typhoon or the looting or those who died. She’s sad about the people condemning the looting. Wow.
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