PNP to help clear roads, monitor prices in Rolly – ravaged areas

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan has instructed police units in affected regions to initiate clearing operations in highways and major thoroughfares affected by Typhoon Rolly’s rampage to ensure the smooth passage of emergency service vehicles, relief caravans and commercial cargo.  

Cascolan ordered directors of Area Police Commands to lead disaster clean-up, relief and rehabilitation operations of regional and provincial police offices in areas hardest hit by the onslaught of Rolly, which earlier reached the super typhoon category and was declared the world’s strongest storm so far for this year. 

“In the spirit of Bayanihan, the PNP is linking arms with local government units, state agencies and NGOs (non-government organizations) in rebuilding and rising from the devastation left by Typhoon Rolly,” Cascolan said in a statement on Monday. 

Cascolan added that the PNP will assist the Department Trade and Industry in enforcing a price freeze on basic commodities and essential goods in areas that will be declared under state of calamity. 

PNP chief Police General Camilo Cascolan  (File photo)

He explained that an automatic price control is up in areas that are declared under state of calamity for a period of not more than 60 days under Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act of the Philippines. 

Aside from basic necessities and prime commodities being monitored by the DTI, Cascolan said the law  also covers those under regulation of the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health such as rice, sugar, poultry products, dairy products, cooking oil, cooking fuel, medicine and medical supplies. 

Meanwhile, Cascolan also assured that the PNP national headquarters will provide appropriate support for offices of police units that suffered infrastructure damage because of the typhoon. 

Last Friday, Brig. Gen. Bartolome Bustamante, Bicol regional police chief, placed all operating units in the region on full alert status to ensure availability of all personnel.  Cascolan earlier vowed the PNP will maximize the deployment of its troops in areas affected by Rolly.

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