Police forces in areas along the path of typhoon "Odette" have been placed on standby amid fears of its widespread adverse effects after weather experts said it is continuously gaining strength after entering the country's territory on Tuesday night, Dec. 14.
PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said all police commanders were already instructed to coordinate with their respective local government units to plan for search and rescue and preemptive evacuation especially in flood-prone areas and coastal areas.
“We have our troops on standby as support force in case of emergencies. If there is a need for the PNP to assist in the safe evacuation of residents living in hazard-prone areas, then they count on us,” said Carlos.
"Odette" is packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph
In its 5 p.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) hoisted Signal No. 2 over the southern portion of Eastern Samar, southern portion of Samar, Southern Leyte, central and southern portions of Leyte, Camotes Islands, eastern portion of Bohol, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, northeastern portion of Bukidnon, eastern portion of Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands, southern portion of Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, central and southern portions of Oriental Mindoro, central and southern portions of Occidental Mindoro, northern portion of Palawan, Northern Samar, the rest of Eastern Samar, the rest of Samar, Biliran, the rest of Leyte, the rest of Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Antique, Capiz, Aklan, northern portion of Davao Oriental, northern portion of Davao de Oro, northern portion of Davao del Norte, northwestern and central portions of Bukidnon, the rest of Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, northern portion of Lanao del Norte, northern portion of Zamboanga del Sur, northwestern portion of Zamboanga del Norte, and northern portion of Lanao del Sur. Strong winds are expected in areas under Signal No. 2
Carlos said the PNP is ready for any eventuality such as search and rescue if confronted with the worst-case scenario.
“Challenging times like this need a unified effort to mitigate potentially damaging effects and possibly, to achieve zero casualty,” Carlos said.