MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday placed its Luzon and Visayas units on full alert status to ensure the availability of resources and personnel for possible disaster response operations in areas foreseen to be affected by Typhoon Tisoy.
PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa also activated the National Headquarters 1st Level Battle Staff to ensure effective command and control of all PNP disaster response operations for the possible effects of the typhoon, which is expected to make landfall in Catanduanes, Albay or Sorsogon between Monday night and early Tuesday morning.
Disaster Incident Management Task Groups and the Regional Reactionary Standby Support Forces and Search and Rescue units were likewise readied, said Gamboa.
“As an initial response in anticipation of the expected landfall of Typhoon Tisoy, resources and personnel from these operational support and maneuver units with disaster response capability are directed to preposition within closest and safest proximity to threatened and high-risk areas along coastlines, riverbanks and geohazard zones for rapid deployment in the event of contingency,” he said.
National police units such as the Special Action Force, Maritime Group, Highway Patrol Group, Police Community Relations Group, Health Service, and Regional and Provincial Mobile Forces are likewise placed on full alert status to ensure availability for possible response and rescue operations.
Gamboa also instructed provincial, city, and municipal offices and stations of the PNP to undertake road-clearing operations in coordination with local government units and the Department of Public Works and Highways for unhampered movement of emergency vehicles, troops, equipment, and supplies.