Over 1K cops to aid response efforts in typhoon-hit areas

PNP chief, Gen. Camilo Cascolan. (PNA photo by Lloyd Caliwan)

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed its disaster response units to augment local groups in conducting disaster response efforts amid the onslaught of Typhoon Quinta.

In a press briefing in Camp Crame Monday, PNP chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan said a total of 1,129 search and rescue personnel were deployed in affected regions while another 6,359 personnel are on standby.

“Our PNP personnel are on the ground now. We don’t have complete equipment yet but we are trying our best to at least be able to help and respond to those who are in need. What is important is for them to get help whenever necessary,” Cascolan told reporters.

The PNP national headquarters mobilized Police Regional Offices in areas along the projected path of Quinta to initiate proactive response measures in coordination with the local government units and other concerned national and local agencies.

These measures include prepositioning of PNP disaster response personnel, equipment, and resources in perennial geohazard zones that are prone to storm surge, flooding, and landslides and the preparation of evacuation sites and preparation of relief goods in coordination with local government units and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Cascolan said the police stations are doing their best to respond to all flooded areas and conduct a forced evacuation of residents in low-lying areas.

He said policemen were also deployed to ensure peace and order in evacuation centers as well as in communities to avoid looting in vacated homes and other possible crime incidents.

Forced evacuation is necessary to avert casualties due to the typhoon, Cascolan said.

“We have our PNP personnel who are actually guarding these areas so that looting will not happen in those residences. Anyway, there will be no problem because we have the food packs ready and with the PNP Food Bank, we would also be producing food for these people who were evacuated (by) force,” he added.

Citing reports from the ground as of 6 a.m. Monday, Cascolan said a total of 40,682 individuals were evacuated due to Quinta, especially flooding and the threat of landslides while one died in Cagayan Valley.

Based on the number of evacuees, Cascolan said the regions of Bicol and Calabarzon were the hardest hit areas by the typhoon, with 36,456 and 3,542 evacuees, respectively.

There were also 88 evacuees in Cagayan Valley, 571 in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), and 25 in Eastern Visayas.

Cascolan said a total of 3,558 persons were stranded in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas after sea travels were canceled due to bad weather.

He said 105 areas were flooded in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Bicol Region where 16 roads are not passable due to flooding and fallen debris.