Frontline units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have been mobilized to conduct rescue and evacuation operations as intense monsoon rains caused widespread flooding across multiple regions.
Additional personnel and disaster response equipment have been placed on standby for rapid deployment to the hardest-hit communities.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the police force is maintaining close coordination with local government units (LGUs) and disaster management teams to deliver real-time assistance.
“Our personnel and our resources have been closely monitoring and conducting real-time response in coordination with the LGUs (local government units) and other frontline services. We (have) made available as many personnel and resources for evacuation and other disaster response,” Nartatez said.
The PNP chief assured that all police units are prepared for emergency dispatch while advising the public to rely exclusively on official updates and refrain from sharing unverified claims online that could trigger unnecessary panic.
“We urge the public to remain calm but vigilant and heed the advice of authorities for your own safety,” he said.
Relentless monsoon rainfall, exacerbated by tropical cyclones, has submerged low-lying communities and rendered key thoroughfares impassable across Luzon, driving local authorities to enforce mandatory evacuations in high-risk zones.