Pulis Initiative: Around 1,500 cops deployed to assist in Mindanao flooding response
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed almost 1,500 policemen to assist in the disaster response and other initiatives amid the bad weather disturbance in Davao Region and nearby areas that has so far left at least 16 people dead.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr. said the policemen were tasked to assist in evacuation, relief distribution, securing evacuation centers and other disaster-related efforts of the local government units.
“Through these deployed personnel, we are active in supporting the local government unit and other government agencies to make sure that relief operations are unhampered,” said Acorda.
Citing data from the regional police, Acorda said a total of 724 evacuation centers were set up, and 90 of them are being used by more than 8,000 families—and are now being secured by local policemen.
Acorda said the policemen were also tasked to secure the roads and other accesses which are important in both evacuation and disaster response.
“There were some reports about landslides that caused partial damage to our national highway particularly in Tagum City and other areas. For the flooded areas, there are plenty of them and our personnel are helping,” said Acorda.
So far, Acorda said policemen were able to rescue around 33 people but he said local police forces are on alert and in coordination with local government units.