By DANIELLE GALVIN
A PAKENHAM man caught up in the Bohol earthquake in the Philippines has spoken out about the devastation and destruction.
David Reece was holidaying on the island in October when the 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck and wreaked havoc across the small farming province.
He is encouraging the community to donate to the Red Cross and help the locals rebuild after the horror quake.
“I have seen a lot of things before but nothing like this,” he said.
“At about 8am on the Sunday morning the room just went crazy and it violently shook us.”
Mr Reece said he got out of his hotel with his wife before it collapsed.
He said he was unsure how long it would take for the rebuilding process and access to clean water, medical supplies and food would be an ongoing issue.
“The island was basically demolished, it will take a lot of rebuilding,” Mr Reece said.
The Pakenham dad returned home in late October and wants to let people know just how bad it was.
He said the quake, which is reported to have killed more than 200 people, has not received a lot of international media coverage.
“It was that powerful, I have never felt power like that before,” he said.
“It threw me around like a rag doll.”
Mr Reece said the best thing for anyone who wants to help out the rebuilding effort is to contact the Red Cross and donate.
