ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) has activated an 800-man disaster response group as Typhoon Ompong continues to threaten several parts of the country.
Although it is not within the storm’s path, this city has been experiencing moderate to occasionally heavy rains – coupled with strong winds brought about by the enhanced southwest monsoon due to “Ompong”.
Chief Supt. Emmanuel Luis Licup, PRO-9 director, said Friday he disaster response group will be deployed any time in the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte, as well in this city, as the need arises.
Licup said the group, known as the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF), will also provide security, humanitarian, disaster relief assistance to the residents in areas that will be affected by the typhoon.
“At the same time, they are the additional manpower during force evacuations and road clearing operations,” Licup added.
He said all provincial and city directors have been directed to pre-position personnel and equipment in different identified risk-prone areas.
Licup has met with key officers and readied Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan for “Ompong”.
He also ordered police officers to properly coordinate with other agencies, including the local government units (LGUs) and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs), as well as the military, for the efficient implementation of the plan.
Aside from the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 a.m. weather bulletin Friday that the other areas affected by the southwest monsoon enhanced by “Ompong” are Palawan, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga.
PAGASA said “Ompong” has maintained its strength as it continues to threaten the Isabela-Cagayan area.
The weather bureau said the typhoon is expected to make landfall in the Cagayan-Isabela area on Saturday morning. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)
