LEGAZPI CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 (Bicol) on Saturday activated its support force and emergency response teams in anticipation of the potential impact of Tropical Storm Ramil (international name Fengshen).
In a statement, PRO-5 Director, Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr., said 1,328 personnel have been mobilized in response to Ramil.
They consist of 713 members of the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF) and 615 personnel of the Search, Rescue, and Retrieval (SRR) teams, all of whom are on standby to provide immediate assistance to affected communities.
“Our officers are fully prepared to protect lives and property. We are closely coordinating with local government units and other response agencies to ensure a unified and effective disaster response. I urge everyone to stay vigilant, cooperate with authorities, and prioritize safety at all times,” he said.
The RSSF and the Emergency Response Team (ERT) are specialized teams ready for quick deployment to areas potentially affected by flooding, landslides, or other weather-related emergencies to provide immediate disaster response operations, rescue efforts, and law enforcement support as needed.
Babagay noted the importance of early coordination and communication to determine the necessary steps for safeguarding lives and property, particularly in evacuating residents from low-lying, coastal, and flood-prone areas.
Police units have also been assigned to assist in traffic management, maintain peace and order in evacuation centers, and distribute relief goods in coordination with local authorities.
He also ordered all provincial police offices and the Naga City Police Office to activate their respective Critical Incident Monitoring Action Teams (CIMAT) to bolster local disaster response operations.
These units are responsible for continuously monitoring critical areas, maintaining situational awareness, and ensuring that personnel and logistics are ready for possible deployment to affected communities.
The regional CIMAT monitoring team has also been instructed to monitor the situation 24/7 and coordinate with lower units for timely information dissemination, rapid mobilization, and effective resource management during any eventuality. (PNA)