EVACUATED. A police officer monitors the situation of evacuees in Oas town, Albay province. The Albay Public Safety Emergency Management Office reported on Oct. 23, 2024 that 17,095 individuals, or 4,948 families, from several towns and cities in the province were in evacuation centers as Tropical Storm Kristine’s heavy rainfall has caused floodings. (Photo courtesy of Oas MPS)
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) dispatched officers and assets to aid disaster response and relief efforts amid the onslaught of Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami), PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil said on Wednesday.
Marbil told reporters that police officers are stationed in affected areas for disaster response efforts and humanitarian assistance.
“Likewise, the PNP’s mobility assets have been dispatched to better give help to our fellow citizens,” he said in Filipino.
“We are ensuring our police are ready to help our citizens affected by Storm Kristine… The safety of our constituents is our priority,” he added.
PNP spokesperson BGen. Jean Fajardo said in a briefing on Wednesday afternoon that the police force deployed over 2,000 personnel nationwide with 10,000 more on standby.
‘The nearby regions and provinces, particularly near Sorsogon, Albay and Naga, definitely our standby forces will be deployed there to augment the PNP personnel deployed there,” she added.
READ: Over 379,000 people affected by Kristine floods, landslides in Bicol
The Office of Civil Defense Bicol estimated that 379,784 individuals in the region were affected by severe flooding and landslides due to the tropical storm.
Fajardo said police officers carried out rescue operations in Eastern Visayas (Region 8), Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9) and Davao Region (Region 11).
Kristine will intensify into a severe tropical storm and make landfall in Isabela on Wednesday night, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s 11 a.m. bulletin.
READ: ‘Kristine’ to make landfall in Isabela on Wednesday night – Pagasa
The state weather bureau also maintained Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 in parts of Luzon and warned of storm surges in parts of Northern Luzon and Bicol Region.