BJMP: 740 inmates evacuated due to ‘Florita’
Inmates wait for their turn to get booster shots against COVID-19 inside the BJMP-managed Angeles District Jail in Pampanga province. File photo / Angeles City government
MANILA, Philippines — The BJMP said the prisoners were from the San Mateo Municipal Jail, which was put under Alert Level 2 after the river’s water level reached 18.67 meters.
The agency said the evacuation procedure was facilitated by the BJMP’s special tactics and response team, jail personnel, and other law enforcement agencies. The prisoners were moved to Guitnang Bayan 1 Elementary School in San Mateo, Rizal.
Apart from the San Mateo Municipal Jail, the BJMP said all other jails across the country, especially in Luzon, where Florita wreaked havoc, remained in a “normal situation.”
The bureau also assured the public that all the BJMP facilities are on full alert for Florita, saying all jail personnel in all regions were alerted to ensure the safety of persons deprived of liberty and secure the jail facilities from violent winds and heavy rains.
“We activated our Oplan Typhoon. Jails in low-lying areas near the river and coastal areas were advised to take precautionary measures for possible evacuation due to flooding,” BJMP chief Jail Director Allan Iral said in a statement.
The BJMP national headquarters also set up 24/7 monitoring teams on Tuesday, August 23, to monitor and gather real-time situational reports from concerned regions.
The BJMP assured the families of persons deprived of liberty that everyone was safe and well secured.
“Makakaasa po kayo na ligtas at nasa maayos na kalagayan ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay na nasa aming pangangalaga. Hindi po namin sila pababayaan [We assure you that all of your loved ones under our care are safe],” Jail Director Iral said.
The BJMP said it coordinates with the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils and Emergency Operations Centers for updates regarding weather situations.
It added that the assistance of BJMP personnel to areas affected by Florita is expected in the conduct of relief operations and other civic activities. —Lyka Farillon, Inquirer.net trainee
RELATED STORY:
‘Florita’ out of PAR but 11 areas under Signal No. 1 — Pagasa
