The widespread flooding triggered by typhoon ‘Ulysses’ is challenging the Philippine National Police (PNP) to invest more on disaster response training and equipment being one of the frontliners in rescue and relief operations, a top police official said.
Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, the PNP deputy chief for Administration, said the involvement of policemen in the rescue operations of trapped residents in Marikina, Cagayan and Isabela provinces only proved that police forces down to the station level are an integral part of the government’s disaster response.
“We have seen the courage and dedication of our colleagues who braved even the raging flashflood to save our trapped kababayans and who face the dangers of possible untoward incidents while clearing roads from debris and landslides as first responders,” said Eleazar in a speech during the graduation of more than 60 police officers in the Research and Development Course Class 01-2020 at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The Directorate for Research and Development (DRD) of the PNP is responsible for coming up with scientific study on the training programs and procurement of equipment suitable for police units in law enforcement and other functions of the police.
“The challenge now for you, as the among the PNP’s think-tank, to come up with the best recommendations and policies to adapt to the fast changing landscapes not only on the field of law enforcement but also on the aspect of us being one of the go-to agencies when it comes to disaster response,” he added.
Since the effects of climate change worsen every year and with the Philippines experiencing the negative impact, Eleazar explained that PNP units should always adapt on how to better respond to the worse that every natural calamity could unleash.
This could be done, according to him, through regular training programs and procurement of equipment that would maximize the capability of the PNP in terms of ensuring the safety of the people.
"The effects of climate change have been worsening year after year. For every calamity and tragedy that our country faces, our organization has always been at the forefront of disaster response especially on the aspect of search, rescue and relief efforts,” said Eleazar.
President Duterte himself blamed climate change as the main reason why the country experienced massive flooding during the devastation of typhoon ‘Ulysses’ in a press briefing during his visit in Cagayan.
Eleazar explained that since Duterte has been very supportive of the modernization of the PNP and improve its operational capability, the DRD should come up with the best recommendations about what equipment would suit the disaster response capability of the police force.
Aside from guns, communication equipment and other equipment, Duterte has approved the procurement of helicopters for the PNP. A total of 10 choppers have already been delivered to the PNP since 2016.
“And with recent calamities defining our role anew in disaster preparedness and response, I believe that it became incumbent upon you to make sure that our operational capabilities and equipment would be attuned to the demand for both our law enforcement and disaster response works,” said Eleazar.
“We have to make sure that every centavo that the government spends for the PNP is worth it and responsive not only to our peace and order role but also on what the people expect of us to do and achieve in times of their need,” he added.
Thousands of policemen were deployed not only for search and rescue operations during the flooding but also in road clearing and relief operations. The PNP helicopters were also used in sending relief goods to residents of areas which were isolated by the flooding in Cagayan and Isabela.