As aid trickles into the Typhoon-hit Philippines, a small exodus out begins in the worst affected areas.
These residents of Tacloban City fled in a panic on Wednesday following rumors of looting and armed bandits.
"Many are dead. There were armed communist rebels. Many are dead over there."
"There were prisoners who escaped. We were told to flee."
They're responding to stories they've only heard - not things they've seen - but that doesn't lessen their fear.
"We're afraid of the prisoners. There's killing everywhere."
REPORTER, SAYING: "Did you see anything? Were you being shot at?"
FEMALE VILLAGER, SAYING: "No, not yet. They hadn't reached us. They hadn't reached our village."
REPORTER, SAYING: "So who told you?"
FEMALE VILLAGER, SAYING: "People from the other village."
Desperation has now gripped the Philippines, devastated by Typhoon Haiyan.
Survivors are panicked over shortages of food and water.
Eight people were crushed to death when looters raided a warehouse in the town of Alangalang.
Some areas are verging close to anarchy.
There were reports of gunfire between security forces and armed men in Tacloban but Interior Minister Manuel Roxas dismisses those as false.
"Let's not be worried, and let's not believe these meaningless, nonsense, baseless rumours."
But security concerns ARE mounting and soldiers patrol the streets of Tacloban and much of the surrounding province.
The official death toll stands about 2,300 but aid workers say that number is off the mark, and many thousands remain missing.
