DSWD head apologizes for wrong initial info about Leyte bombing

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 29): DSWD head apologizes for wrong initial info about Leyte bombing

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo apologized on Thursday for releasing wrong initial information that 10 people were killed in an explosion that rocked a town fiesta in Hilongos, Leyte.

In a press briefing in Malacanang, Taguiwalo personally apologized to Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella who forwarded the news about the casualties to the Malacanang Press Corps.

"It was our regional director who reported to me about the bombing around 1 a.m. and we would like to apologize Sec. Abella because our initial report said there were 10 people dead. It’s not true. I was given wrong information. It’s my fault and not of our spokesperson,” Taguiwalo explained to the Palace media.

Taguiwalo said the Leyte bombing has injured 34 persons, including 10 who were already released from hospitals.

The DSWD chief assured that those 34 people wounded in the Leyte bombing and another six hurt in a separate explosion in Aleosan, North Cotabato will automatically receive PHP5,000 financial assistance from the government.

"The department will also shoulder all their hospital bills," Taguiwalo said.

The Leyte explosion reportedly happened while about 500 people are watching an amateur boxing bout at the Hilongos town plaza at around 9 p.m. Wednesday.

An hour later, an improvised explosive device (IED) went off beside the national highway in Barangay Bagangan in Aleosan, North Cotabato.

The explosion injured six persons on board a 10-wheeler truck and damaged an electric post of the North Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco).

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=951603