Cops on alert for 'Ramil'; Nartatez places more manpower, resources on standby
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (File photo: PNP)
Police forces in areas along the path of tropical storm “Ramil” are now on high alert and were ordered to be ready in providing the necessary assistance for the residents in their respective areas, Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said on Sunday.
But Nartatez expressed confidence in the capability of the uniformed personnel on the ground, stressing that weather disturbance is part of the normal PNP response every year.
“Just like in the past typhoons that hit the country, we have long alerted our personnel on the ground ever since the PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) started issuing warnings of the impact of this new weather disturbance,” said Nartatez.
“This is not something new to us. This year for instance, we have already responded to stronger typhoons and your PNP were able to deliver in terms of ensuring the safety and responding to the needs of our kababayan,” he added.
Weather experts earlier said that “Ramil” is expected to make landfall over Catanduanes in the afternoon or evening of Saturday. The weather disturbance may make landfall as well over Aurora or Isabela on Sunday before crossing the terrain of Northern and Central Luzon.
Nartatez said they have already mobilized manpower and resources for any eventuality.
“Sufficient number of personnel and resources were deployed and placed on standby. Our commanders on the ground were instructed to ensure the availability of manpower and other PNP resources for any eventuality, especially on the aspect of preemptive evacuation and search and rescue,” said Nartatez.
He said police commanders were also instructed to maintain a line of communication to the local government units for any request for assistance.