PNP rushes to deploy teams, equipment to Northern Luzon amid 'Betty' threat
Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has ordered the immediate deployment of policemen and equipment to some parts of Northern Luzon as part of the contingency measures amid the possible devastation threat of super typhoon “Betty” (international name Mawar) after it entered the country’s area of responsibility.
“This is part of our contingency measures in anticipation of the adverse effects of the typhoon which is expected to affect the Cagayan Valley, Ilocos and Cordillera regions,” said Acorda.
Weather experts said “Betty” is packing a strong gale force winds and gustiness exceeding 205 kilometer per hour.
Acorda said he had already ordered the commander of the Area Police Command Northern Luzon, Police Lt. Gen. Felipe Natividad, to mobilize all Regional Mobile Force Battalions of PROs 1, 2 and Cordillera, including the Provincial Mobile Force Companies in these regions.
“The mobilization is for possible preemptive evacuation, and rescue and relief operations in perennial geohazard communities in this section of Luzon,” said Acorda.
He added that regional directors in the three regions were also given the discretionary authority to raise alert conditions as they deem necessary.
Acorda also ordered the local police commanders in Northern Luzon to to coordinate closely with local disaster risk reduction and management council authorities for the organized deployment of forces and efficient ntilization of resources.
At the same time, National Support Units with disaster response capability and resources were alerted for possible rapid deployment of its Search and Rescue assets and personnel in affected areas.
Other Luzon-based Police Regional Offices were placed on standby to provide augmentation to affected regions while local police units were instructed to assist national government agencies in mustering supplies and resources in prepositioned aid distribution hubs and evacuation centers.
Acorda said he also directed police commanders in other parts of the country to prepare for the effects of heavy rains.