By Aaron RecuencoÂ
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has placed on standby nearly 10,000 of its personnel for rapid deployment in case of a worst case scenario on the Taal Volcano eruption.
PNP chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa
(Police Regional Office 10 / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said that the policemen standby practically come from various police units in Luzon, especially the areas near Batangas and Cavite provinces. "The PNP disaster response operations now involve practically all Luzon-based Police Regional Offices and Search and Rescue-capable National Support Units," said Gamboa on Monday. Police forces have been at the forefront of calamity response when the Taal Volcano erupted on January 12. Local police forces in Batangas and nearby areas were tapped to conduct mandatory evacuation while some were tapped to rescue abandoned animals. Among those who were tapped to assist in Taal Volcano eruption response are the 1,335 policemen in Batangas and nearby areas whose own families were afected by the calamity. So far, Gamboa said that a total of 1,821 police SAR personnel deployed in affected areas. "There are 244 PNP personnel manning the fort in communities vacated by residents while 332 more are patrolling evacuated areas that were declared off limits to prevent looting and possible exposure to hazardous volcanic fumes, particles and debris," said Gamboa. Aside from manpower, Gamboa said police assets were also deployed. A fleet of PNP land, sea and air assets consisting of 68 trucks, 53 4x4 troop carriers, 12 buses, 5 aircraft and 26 watercraft are currently committed to this PNP disaster response mission, according to Gamboa. Based on the PNP data, a total of 129,819 persons were assisted by the police during the forced evacuation. "In some areas, local governments have eased on security protocols to allow some residents to return to their homes to tend to abandoned livestock and pets, and to retrieve some personal items," said Gamboa. "Our security forces were present to supervise controlled access into lockdown areas during designated window hours," he added. Gamboa said the quick response of the police resulted in zero casualties and zero incidents of looting or major crime. READ MORE:Â More than 600 volcanic quakes plotted in Taal since Sunday
PNP chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa(Police Regional Office 10 / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said that the policemen standby practically come from various police units in Luzon, especially the areas near Batangas and Cavite provinces. "The PNP disaster response operations now involve practically all Luzon-based Police Regional Offices and Search and Rescue-capable National Support Units," said Gamboa on Monday. Police forces have been at the forefront of calamity response when the Taal Volcano erupted on January 12. Local police forces in Batangas and nearby areas were tapped to conduct mandatory evacuation while some were tapped to rescue abandoned animals. Among those who were tapped to assist in Taal Volcano eruption response are the 1,335 policemen in Batangas and nearby areas whose own families were afected by the calamity. So far, Gamboa said that a total of 1,821 police SAR personnel deployed in affected areas. "There are 244 PNP personnel manning the fort in communities vacated by residents while 332 more are patrolling evacuated areas that were declared off limits to prevent looting and possible exposure to hazardous volcanic fumes, particles and debris," said Gamboa. Aside from manpower, Gamboa said police assets were also deployed. A fleet of PNP land, sea and air assets consisting of 68 trucks, 53 4x4 troop carriers, 12 buses, 5 aircraft and 26 watercraft are currently committed to this PNP disaster response mission, according to Gamboa. Based on the PNP data, a total of 129,819 persons were assisted by the police during the forced evacuation. "In some areas, local governments have eased on security protocols to allow some residents to return to their homes to tend to abandoned livestock and pets, and to retrieve some personal items," said Gamboa. "Our security forces were present to supervise controlled access into lockdown areas during designated window hours," he added. Gamboa said the quick response of the police resulted in zero casualties and zero incidents of looting or major crime. READ MORE:Â More than 600 volcanic quakes plotted in Taal since Sunday