The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified preemptive evacuation efforts in flood and landslide prone communities as the southwest monsoon (habagat) continues to bring heavy rains across several regions.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. ordered police units in affected areas to remain on heightened alert and prepare for possible search, rescue, retrieval and evacuation operations while coordinating closely with local government units (LGUs) and disaster response agencies.
The directive aligns with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s call, issued through Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, for government agencies to implement preventive measures to protect communities and critical infrastructure.
“I have directed our police units in affected areas to remain on heightened alert, closely monitor developments and coordinate with local government units and other response agencies. They must be ready to immediately conduct search and rescue, retrieval and evacuation operations when needed, while ensuring the safety of our personnel,” Nartatez said.
Malacañang said that Marcos is closely monitoring flood-prone areas and rising dam levels, directing agencies to coordinate on controlled water releases as conditions evolve. Nartatez emphasized that local officers must assist in moving residents out of high-risk zones before weather conditions deteriorate further.
“Our local police units must actively assist local governments in preemptive evacuations, particularly in areas 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 added.
To manage the response, the PNP activated its Subcommittee on Natural Disaster under the Directorate for Police Community Relations. Around 800 PNP personnel have already been deployed to affected regions, with approximately 10,000 reserve personnel on standby for deployment.