Mindanao police forces tasked to assist in areas affected by widespread flooding
FLODDED street in Zamboanga City from bad weather. (Photo via Liza Jocson)
Amid the attention on security for the State of the Nation Address (SONA), police forces in Mindanao were tasked to prioritize disaster response and humanitarian assistance for communities affected by heavy rains that swept Davao City and other areas.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said police resources have already been deployed to support relief operations and speed up the delivery of government assistance.
“Our personnel and resources were mobilized and strategically deployed to assist in the relief operations for affected communities. We assure all our affected kababayan of your PNP’s presence to ensure your safety,” said Nartatez.
Heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Kiyapo and the southwest monsoon caused flooding in several parts of Mindanao, particularly in Davao City.
More than 59,000 families were affected in Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, Central Mindanao and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, with over 10,000 people reported to have been forced to flee their homes.
The Office of Civil Defense in the Davao Region earlier reported at least three fatalities linked to the effects of the weather disturbance.
Nartatez said police resources have already been deployed to support relief operations and speed up the delivery of government assistance.
He said police commanders were tasked to assist local government units in rescue operations and in validating reports on casualties and affected residents.
Police units have likewise been directed to coordinate closely with local disaster response councils to ensure that assistance reaches communities without delay.
He also ordered concerned offices to extend assistance to police personnel affected by the weather disturbance.
Damage assessments will also be conducted on police stations and other PNP facilities to ensure that police services remain uninterrupted as response and recovery operations continue.