'Walang iwanan': PNP vows to continue deploying personnel to assist in 'Uwan' response, recovery
Acting PNP Chief, Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (File photo: Office of the Chief PNP)
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), vowed to continue deploying policemen in all areas affected by typhoon “Uwan” to augment manpower and maximize disaster response and recovery measures.
This, despite the PNP being affected too by the weather disturbance as 24 police stations and facilities were reported to have been damaged by “Uwan” in Luzon and the Visayas.
Two police vehicles were also damaged, while 27 uniformed personnel and one non-uniformed personnel were affected by the storm, with some losing personal property.
“Even if a number of our police stations and offices were damaged and some of our personnel were also affected, your police continued their duties. Some even operated from temporary posts just to ensure public safety and continuous coordination with local responders,” said Nartatez.
‘No typhoon or calamity will stop the service of the police,” he assured.
To address the impacts of the typhoon, Nartatez said he immediately ordered rapid damage assessments of all affected police stations and headquarters, and activated temporary command posts and relocation centers for units unable to operate in their regular facilities.
He said police will also provide emergency assistance to police personnel affected by the typhoon, including support for damaged homes and lost personal property.
“We remain visible, responsive, and dependable to our communities even in the face of natural calamities. Our priority is the safety of our people, both the public and our personnel, while restoring full operational capacity as quickly as possible,” he said.