998 cops deployed in Cordillera for possible onslaught of super typhoon ‘Mawar’

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – Police Brig. Gen. David Peredo Jr., director of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera, has ordered the deployment of nearly a thousand police officers who will man two rescue teams in preparation for the onslaught of super typhoon “Mawar” in the region. The region’s top cop said 450 police officers will act as members of the Search, Rescue, and Retrieval (SRR) team while 548 will comprise the Reactionary Standby Support Force team. Peredo led the simultaneous inspection of the SRR and the RSSF teams and equipment at the parade ground of this camp on May 26. Peredo, together with other members of the command group, inspected all available equipment and mobility, ambulances, and trucks, including the Regional SRR and RSSF teams from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 15 and Benguet Provincial Police Office (PPO). The regional police office also inspected the Medical Team of the Regional Medical and Dental Unit (RMDU), the Canine Team of the Regional EOD and Canine Unit (RECU) Cordillera, the Communication Team of the Regional Communications and Electronics Unit (RCEU), and the Disaster Identification Team of Regional Forensic Unit (RFU). The simultaneous inspection in the city and the different police provincial offices (PPOs) was done to assess the serviceability and the completeness of the available equipment, including the capabilities, and performance of the SRR and RSSF teams of PROCOR. Peredo cited the importance of preparedness and planning for any weather and natural disturbances, stressing that adequate readiness can save lives, save resources, and ensure greater chance of survival.