PNP units remain on alert as Uwan moves away from PH landmass

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

(Philippine National Police/facebook)

MANILA – Police units in Luzon and the Visayas remain on alert to ensure smooth disaster response in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong).

In a statement on Monday, Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt.

Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said he has directed all police commanders to help secure evacuation centers and assist displaced residents once they start returning to their communities.

As of 8 a.m. Monday, Uwan is now over the West Philippine Sea. It was last tracked 125 km. west northwest of Bacnotan, La Union, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 km. per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 230 kph.

Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas were the first areas pounded with heavy rains and strong winds by Uwan, with reports of widespread flooding and damaged homes, establishments, and infrastructure.

“Based on the initial assessment reports, this typhoon left a trail of destruction, particularly in the Bicol region. As some of our affected kababayan start to go back to their communities, the Philippine National Police, along with other government agencies, will be there to provide all the necessary assistance,” said Nartatez.

At least 25,878 PNP personnel have been deployed nationwide to assist in disaster preparedness, rescue, and public safety operations. These include officers from the National Capital Region Police Office and regional police offices across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

An additional 13,190 members of the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF) are on standby for immediate deployment, with at least 1,219 police vehicles and equipment prepositioned in critical areas.

More than 2,100 policemen were initially deployed in various evacuation centers from Eastern Visayas and Bicol to the northern parts of Luzon to secure and attend to the needs of the evacuees.

Nartatez said part of those deployed are personnel of the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), adding that he already instructed police commanders to closely monitor the situation in evacuation centers and increase the number of policemen if necessary.

Meanwhile, the PNP Maritime Group and regional units continue to secure the welfare of stranded passengers in various seaports.

Over 1.4 million individuals were preemptively evacuated due to Uwan, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).