By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified evacuation and emergency response operations in communities threatened by persistent southwest monsoon rains, ordering police units in vulnerable areas to act before rising floodwaters and landslides turn into disasters.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. placed police units in affected areas on heightened alert and directed them to closely monitor weather conditions, coordinate with local governments and other emergency agencies, and remain ready for search, rescue, retrieval and evacuation missions.
Nartatez stressed that police forces must help local governments move residents out of danger zones early, particularly in communities vulnerable to flooding and landslides.
“We must act early, provide timely warnings and help prevent loss of life rather than wait for the situation to worsen,” Nartatez said.
The directive follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order for government agencies to maintain heightened vigilance and undertake preventive measures as the enhanced Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, continues to bring heavy rains to several parts of the country.
Police units have also been instructed to monitor developments involving dams and reservoirs as sustained rainfall pushes water levels higher. The PNP said concerned agencies are coordinating on possible water releases and other measures intended to reduce risks to downstream communities.
The PNP has activated its Subcommittee on Natural Disaster under the Directorate for Police Community Relations to track the developing situation through the PNP Command Center.
About 800 police personnel have already been deployed to several affected areas, while another 10,000 reserve personnel remain on standby for possible search-and-rescue and retrieval operations as weather and flooding conditions evolve.
Nartatez said police commanders in affected areas must ensure that their personnel are prepared to respond immediately while also protecting the safety of rescuers.
The emphasis on preemptive evacuation comes as authorities continue to deal with flooding and landslide risks brought about by prolonged rains, with emergency response teams positioned to assist communities should conditions deteriorate.
In Baguio City, police officers recently demonstrated the urgency of emergency response when they helped bring a mother and her newborn son to a hospital amid torrential rain and flooding.
The incident occurred at about 5 a.m. on Aug. 4, when the woman’s husband rushed to Camdas Police Station 2 to report that his wife was in active labor at their home.
S/Sgt. Melanio Agmeyeng and Cpl. Joshua Sobangui immediately coordinated with Emergency Medical Services and proceeded to the residence.
By the time they arrived, the woman had already delivered a baby boy with assistance from a family member.
EMS personnel examined the mother and infant before police and medical responders worked together to transport them safely to Baguio General Hospital for further medical evaluation.
Both mother and child were later assessed to be in stable condition.
The rescue took place as Baguio continued to experience heavy rains and flooding associated with the enhanced Habagat and Tropical Depression Maymay, making transportation and emergency response more difficult.
For the PNP, the episode underscores the need for police units to remain ready not only for major search-and-rescue missions but also for emergencies that can arise suddenly in communities isolated or disrupted by severe weather.
With the monsoon rains continuing, police authorities said the priority remains clear: move people away from danger early, keep emergency forces ready and prevent a worsening weather situation from becoming a tragedy.
ia/xf
