Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered all policemen to assist in the conduct of post-disaster response amid the reported devastation wrought by super typhoon “Pepito” in Luzon and some parts of the Visayas.
Part of his order, according to Marbil, is the constant coordination with local government units (LGUs) in responding to the needs of the affected residents, especially those who were evacuated and those whose homes were either partially or totally damaged.
Almost 5,000 policemen were earlier deployed to assist the LGUs in ensuring the safety of local residents, including the preemptive evacuation of residents living along coastal zones and flash flood and landslide-prone areas while a total of 8,065 Reserve Support and Security Forces (RSSF) personnel are on standby and ready to reinforce disaster-stricken areas.
Based on the latest PNP data, a total of 22,182 evacuation centers were activated nationwide with around 1.1 million individuals from 303,636 families seeking refuge.
“PNP units have been strategically deployed to enforce preemptive evacuations, oversee disaster response operations, and provide critical assistance in evacuation centers,” said Marbil.
He said key deployments include 1,046 personnel in the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) monitoring urban areas; a total of 1,912 personnel in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon); and, 607 personnel in Cagayan Valley Region assisting forced evacuations in landslide-prone Nueva Vizcaya.
In Central Luzon, a red alert status remains in effect, with coastal and high-risk areas undergoing preemptive evacuations. Meanwhile, relief operations are ongoing in Eastern Visayas, and continuous monitoring persists in Cordillera Administrative Region to ensure the safety of communities in landslide-prone areas.
“Our personnel are on the frontlines, ready to respond swiftly to emergencies despite the risks involved,” “They put themselves in harm’s way to safeguard the lives and property of our people. This dedication reflects their role as protectors of the community during the most challenging situations,” said Marbil.
He said social media platforms are being maximized to disseminate public service announcements, ensuring residents are well-informed of weather updates and safety measures.
Marbil, on the other hand, reminded PNP personnel to prioritize their safety while fulfilling their duties.
“Your safety is paramount as you protect and assist the public. Take all necessary precautions to continue serving those in need,” he said.