Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing on Monday, 10 November, that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will lead the investigation of local officials who left the country amid Typhoon Uwan.

Castro emphasized the need for a thorough investigation first to determine how such actions may have affected calamity response efforts.

“Unang-una po, kailangan munang ma-assess kung ano ang kanilang pakay papunta sa ibang bansa at kung ito po ba talaga ay nakaapekto sa mabilisang pag-aksyon sa mga kababayan nating nakaranas ng hagupit ng bagyo (First, an assessment is needed to know their motive for leaving the country and whether it truly affected the quick response toward our countrymen who were affected by the typhoon),” Castro said.

She clarified that blame cannot yet be assigned to the individuals. “Kailangan po pag-aralan muna (This has to be studied first).”

“Titignan po muna natin, ito naman po ay sa pamumuno ni Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Tignan muna natin at kung paano sila magpapaliwanag na despite na may memorandum sila ay umalis ng bansa (We will see first, since this is under the leadership of Secretary Jonvic Remulla. We will see how they will explain leaving the country despite the memorandum),” she added.

A DILG memorandum circular no. 2025-110 dated 8 November states a suspension of officials and unofficial foreign travel of elected and appointed local government officials covering the period 9-15 November, in line with the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino and the the supertyphoon Typhoon Uwan.