PNP deploys 10,750 cops to face ‘Uwan’
Anticipating the impact of Supertyphoon “Uwan” (international name: Fung-wong) nationwide, the Philippine National Police has deployed 10,750 officers to assist in disaster aid, rescue operations and safety measures.
The PNP said it mobilized thousands of uniformed officers across Metro Manila, northern and Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Bicol Region, Visayas and Mindanao, as of 5 a.m. on Sunday.
Police vehicles have also been prepositioned in critical areas, the PNP added.
“Our forces, equipment, and logistics are already in place to respond wherever we are needed. We are maintaining a high level of readiness so that no community will be left unattended as Typhoon Uwan moves across the country,” acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.
PNP forces will be joined by 11,482 members of the Reactionary Standby Support Force for immediate support.
Across 996 evacuation centers, police assistance desks are available to ensure safety among the evacuees, the PNP also said.
The PNP Maritime Group is also assisting and ensuring welfare in seaports where over 6,000 people are stranded, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
Supertyphoon Uwan is traversing the waters off Bicol Region, moving west-northwestward at 30 kilometers per hour, the state weather bureau reported at 11 a.m.
Uwan is expected to make landfall over Aurora on Sunday evening to Monday morning, but state meteorologists said a direct hit at Catanduanes is also possible.
Despite the heavy rain, however, a fire broke out early Saturday morning, Nov. 9, at Barangay Iniguihan of Bato town in Leyte, destroying more than 80 houses and five commercial establishments, the Bureau of Fire Protection-Eastern Visayas reported. (See related story on Page A4)
The blaze, which occurred at around 4:30 a.m., spread rapidly through the community as powerful winds from Supertyphoon Uwan fanned the flames, making it difficult for firefighters to contain the fire immediately.
