FILE PHOTO: Residents in coastal villages of Anini-y town in Antique province are left homeless after strong winds accompanying Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) uprooted trees and tore walls and roofs away. PHOTO COURTESY OF CINDY LOQUIAS
MANILA, Philippines — Police offices that were least affected or totally unaffected by the wrath of Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) have been directed to help in relief and clearing efforts in areas ravaged by the severe tropical storm.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said Tuesday that Police Regional Offices (PROs) will help in assisting affected police units which operations were hampered by Odette – like Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region offices helping Northern Mindanao.
According to the PNP chief, Davao Region and Soccsksargen will help police units in the Caraga Administrative Region – which appears to be the area most affected by Odette while Bicol-PRO will assist those in Eastern Visayas, Calabarzon in Western Visayas, and other PROs in Luzon will help devastated police units in Central Visayas.
“I have directed the Regional Directors of PRO-9 and BAR to organize relief and assistance operations for PRO 10. Also, PROs 11 and 12 to help, assist, and bring relief goods to Caraga,” Carlos said.
“PRO 5 is heading for PRO 8 to help. PRO 4A to assist PRO 6. Palawan will get help from PRO 4-B. PROs 1, 2, 3, and PRO COR to send help and relief goods to PRO 7. NHQ/ NSUs to organize relief and assistance,” he added.
Also, Carlos said police units from other regions would provide moral support for their fellow officers affected by the super typhoon which is reportedly the strongest that hit the Philippines this year.
“Maliban sa pagbibigay ng tulong at kaukulang serbisyo sa mga kababayan natin, ang mga tauhan ng pulisya sa mga rehiyon na hindi apektado ng bagyo ay magsisilbing “Pulis Big Brother” sa mga kapwa pulis na nasalanta,” he added.
Reports of devastation and casualties in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands, Palawan, Negros Island, Cebu, Bohol, and Samar have started to reach other regions as communication lines were gradually being restored.
The latest numbers from PNP showed that 375 people have died amid Typhoon Odette’s onslaught that started Thursday, December 16, with its first landfall in the popular tourist destination Siargao Island. The storm was carrying maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour at the time.
READ: ‘Odette’ makes 3rd landfall in Liloan; keeps strength as it crosses Southern Leyte
READ: ‘Supertyphoon is understatement’: Surigao bishop recalls Odette’s wrath
In total, Odette hit landmass nine times before it left the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday, December 18.
Odette barreled through portions of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, hitting the northern portion of Caraga before moving to the southern parts of Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, and then Palawan.