By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed thousands of its personnel to help in the ongoing clearing and rehabilitation efforts in areas devastated by Typhoon Odette.
“We will never cease to help since it is integral in our mission. Calamities such as Typhoon Odette can best gauge the strength of our working force even if some of our personnel are catastrophe victims too,” PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said in a statement Monday (Dec. 20) night.
A total of 5,837 personnel from Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have been deployed with Reactionary Standby Support Force focused on relief, search, and rescue operations.
As of Sunday (Dec. 19), some 808 personnel were also dispatched to secure evacuation centers. Carlos said 142 rescue operations were also conducted which saved 1,263 individuals.
Meanwhile, 7,157 evacuation centers were established in different regions that housed 35,940 families.
The PNP has also ensured the maintenance of peace and order especially at this trying time when basic resources are scarce such as food, water, fuel, and even electricity.
“This is Bayanihan at its finest. Where help is needed, the PNP will be there,” Carlos assured.
Meanwhile, sailors and Marines from different Philippine Navy (PN) units in the Manila-Cavite area were deployed to the Ateneo de Manila University campus and GMA Network Center in Quezon City last Dec. 19 to help haul relief goods intended for typhoon victims in Cebu.
“A total of 1,000 food packs and 200 sacks of rice from Tanging Yaman Foundation Inc. and assorted goods from GMA Kapuso Foundation Inc. were transported and loaded on BRP Agta (LC-290) in Cavite City,” PN spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza said Monday night.
He added that BRP Agta left on Monday morning carrying a total of 145,600 kilograms of relief goods and other cargoes to Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu which will be distributed to those affected by “Odette”.
“Said endeavor demonstrates the Navy’s capability to provide manpower and logistical assistance, a reliable partner in humanitarian assistance and disaster response. This also underscores the beneficial collaboration with partner institutions toward the common cause of helping Filipinos devastated by the recent calamity,” Negranza said. (with Priam Nepomuceno/PNA) – bny
