Photo courtesy of PNP/Facebook
The Philippine National Police has ordered all regional and field units to strengthen disaster preparedness measures as Tropical Cyclone Inday threatens to affect parts of the country.
The directive required police units to check the readiness of personnel, mobility assets, communication systems and logistical resources for possible emergency response.
Regional and provincial commanders were also told to monitor weather developments and identify vulnerable areas in their jurisdictions.
The PNP said field units should prepare contingency measures before weather conditions worsen.
Police units were directed to coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management councils, local governments, the Office of Civil Defense, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine Coast Guard and other agencies.
The coordination will cover possible evacuations, traffic management, security in evacuation centers and other public safety operations.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Nartatez said police units must be in position before communities feel the impact of severe weather.
The PNP urged the public to follow official weather bulletins, heed local authorities and take precautionary measures, while assuring that police units nationwide are ready to support government response efforts.