MANILA — As severe tropical storm Verbena continues to cause floods and evacuations in some parts of the Visayas, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has dispersed personnel and equipment to storm-affected villages.
Police units were dispatched out early to ensure the safe evacuation of inhabitants in high-risk regions and to uphold order in evacuation centers, according to a statement released by acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
“To help all of our kababayan—from evacuation and rescue operations to securing evacuation centers and assisting in disaster response—we mobilized and deployed many of our personnel and all the available resources on the ground,” Nartatez stated.
Rescue Operations
Employees of the Bayawan City Police Station transported people who were stuck in Sitio Plywood, Barangay Ubos, in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, after rising floodwaters blocked access to many residences.
Police teams in Guihulngan, Hinigaran, and Pamplona monitored rivers, checked on evacuees, and transported internally displaced families throughout Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
In order to keep communities near waterways safe as water levels increased, Negros Occidental’s maritime police also initiated rescue and clearing operations in Purok Mars, Barangay Singcang Airport in Bacolod City.
Rescue teams, police officers, and LGU staff collaborated in Carcar City, Cebu, to rescue stranded citizens from unexpected flash floods.
“Early Directives”
Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, a spokesman for the PNP, stated at a press conference on Wednesday that Nartatez’s early orders expedited coordination with local government entities.
“Malaki pong bagay ang binigyan ng kautusan ng ating chief PNP na bago pa man dumaan itong bagyong Verbena ay nakapaghanda ang PNP kaugnay ng pakikipag-ugnayan sa LGU sapagkat malaking bagay na ‘yung mga pre-accounting natin, pre-inspection sa mga units natin para matugunan ‘yung mga gagawin ng ating mga pulis,” he stated.
“Sa kasalukuyan naman ay wala tayong nai-record na damage sa PNP mobility, communications, stations at patuloy lang nakaantabay at sumusuporta ang inyong PNP kaugnay ng nasabing bagyo.”
Challenges on the Ground
Nartatez cited landslides, flooded roadways, and intermittent interruptions in power as examples of the challenges police officers experienced during the storm’s effects.
He reassured the people that the PNP is making the most of all available resources in spite of this.
The PNP urged people to obey evacuation orders, avoid needless travel, and avoid flooded areas.
Additionally, residents were urged to use official hotlines or local police to report emergencies right away.
As Verbena travels across the nation, authorities are still keeping an eye on situation reports from local units.
