Police to assist LGUs, nat’l gov’t amid ‘habagat’ onslaught

PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde. INQUIRER.NET / GABRIEL PABICO LALU

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the police would assist local government units and national government agencies in addressing concerns of flood-stricken areas.

“In the aftermath of massive flooding in Luzon […] we will also assist the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and local government units in enforcing a prize freeze on basic commodities and areas under state of calamity to prevent profiteering, hoarding, and illegal acts of price manipulation,” Albayalde said in a press briefing on Monday.

Albayalde also noted that in line with the national policy on food security, he already directed unit commanders and concerned police offices to monitor the situation in calamity-hit areas.

“I have directed our unit commanders in these calamity areas to take the initiative in coordinating with local DTI offices to ensure we effectively protect the interest of the general public,” he said.

“I am directing the CIDG and the police intelligence unit to closely assist in the enforcement of the prize freeze and take appropriate action in support of DTI,” he added

Several cities in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces have been affected by floodwaters spawned by torrential rain brought by the southwest monsoon, or habagat, enhanced by tropical storm “Karding.”

READ: ‘Karding’ won’t exit PH with a whimper

According to Albayalde, the province of Cavite, and cities of Marikina, Olongapo, Balanga, Bataan, along with other municipalities in Bataan, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac have been placed under a state of calamity.

Among the most affected areas are cities and municipalities east of Metro Manila, such Marikina, San Mateo, Rodriguez, and some parts of Quezon City, Pasig, and Antipolo City.

In the latest report from the Eastern Police District, at least 5,232 families or 24,384 individuals are still in 22 evacuation centers across the area. /cbb

READ: ‘Karding’ revives memories of ‘Ondoy’