Bicol cops gear up to help in disaster efforts in Taal

LEGAZPI CITY –– The Philippine National Police (PNP) in the Bicol region has begun mobilizing its personnel and other logistical requirements to aid in the disaster efforts in the wake of the recent eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas province.

Some 193 PNP personnel from the regional headquarters and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 5 will compose the Disaster Incident Management Task Group, Regional Standby Support Force, and the Search and Rescue Team (SAR) and are placed on standby status for possible deployment and provide assistance to the affected areas.

To ensure logistical capabilities, showdown inspection of SAR equipment will be conducted Monday afternoon in front of the PRO5 administration building.

The team has two PNP SAR blue boxes, 44 life vests, four spine boards, a rescue ladder, a SAR Vehicle, a five-man truck and a Hino 500.

Bicol police also sent boxes of disposable N95 face masks to PNP Calabarzon.

Provincial offices under Bicol police are also starting to prepare goods and clothing to be distributed to those affected by the eruption./lzb