Police were on full alert status for supertyphoon Yolanda.
Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino, chief of the Police Regional Office -7, said a head count was made in every police station last night to ensure 100 percent attendance.
He deployed policemen from the Regional Public Safety Battalion, who are trained on disaster operations such as search and rescue, to northern Cebu.
The policemen and officers of the Central Command (Centcom) will help local governments in conducting clearing operations in case trees fall and highways are blocked.
Constantino said they will also implement forced evacuation if necessary.
Thousands of families in coastal and flood-prone areas, though, already left their homes yesterday to seek shelter in evacuation centers.
The weather bureau called on those living near rivers and on slopes to also move out.
Yesterday noon, the Police Regional Safety Battalion (PRSB) was sent out with Search and Rescue (SAR) equipment.
“It is better that they are deployed ahead of time so that they can still pass the areas before Yolanda leaves damage,” he added.
The PRSB will assist local government units that need help. “The LGUs also have their own SAR equipments,” Constantino said. He added that he deployed more personnel from PRSB in Bogo since the eye of the storm is expected to pass by northern Cebu. Constantino added that they are also on high alert against criminal activities. “We should not forget to monitor the anti-criminal activities since there is a possibility that some people might take advantage of the situation,” he added. He also advised those who will evacuate to make sure their houses are locked. /Correspondents Chito O. Aragon And Michelle Joy L. Padayhag