PNP ready for Typhoon ‘Quiel’—Bartolome

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police has already deployed close to a hundred emergency personnel as a new typhoon pummels Luzon, PNP Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said.

He said six search and rescue teams, each composed of 16 members, were sent to Bulacan to assist residents in Calumpit and Hagonoy towns, which remained submerged two days after Typhoon Pedring (international codename: Nesat) left the country.

Authorities on Friday about a million people living in flooded villages and farmland in Central Luzon were set to be pounded by more devastating rain from a second typhoon, Quiel (international name Nalgae).

Bartolome said the PNP has laid out plans for possible search and rescue operations.

Police officers should also be ready to cut uprooted trees blocking the way, Bartolome said.

“Nag re-request ako n asana may chain saw sila para mas mabilis (I have requested that they be given chain saws so it would be easier),” he said.

Bartolome said that in all, the PNP has 405 rubber boats and three helicopters in its national and regional offices.

He said that each boat could carry 12 adults, including four rescuers.

The PNP also has 8,063 personnel trained in search and rescue operations, he said.