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AFP, PNP activate units for 'Ulysses' response ops

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan and Priam Nepomuceno

November 11, 2020, 2:44 pm

<p><strong>'ULYSSES' FURY.</strong> Floods caused by heavy rains brought by Typhoon Ulysses have inundated houses in Barangay Hinipaan, Bagamanoc, Catanduanes on Wednesday (Nov. 11, 2020). The AFP and the PNP have activated troops to assist in disaster response operations in areas along the path of the typhoon that is expected to affect areas of Luzon. <em>(Photo courtesy of Tricia Cinco)</em></p>

'ULYSSES' FURY. Floods caused by heavy rains brought by Typhoon Ulysses have inundated houses in Barangay Hinipaan, Bagamanoc, Catanduanes on Wednesday (Nov. 11, 2020). The AFP and the PNP have activated troops to assist in disaster response operations in areas along the path of the typhoon that is expected to affect areas of Luzon. (Photo courtesy of Tricia Cinco)

MANILA – Military and police units are now on alert to assist disaster response operations in areas along the path of Typhoon Ulysses.

"Personnel and equipment of Southern Luzon Command, Northern Luzon Command, and JTF (Joint Task Force) National Capital Region down to the battalion level are already prepositioned in safe locations. Coordination with other LGUs (local government units) are also in earnest including NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) and its local counterparts to ensure their immediate response as soon as the storm passes," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Gen. Gilbert Gapay said in a statement on Wednesday.

Gapay said that search-and-rescue units with mobility assets are also working round the clock to evacuate those that are still in low-lying areas. He added that all AFP disaster response units in the entirety of Luzon and parts of Visayas are still on high alert.

"Ang inyong Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas, katuwang ng iba't ibang sangay ng pamahalaan, ay mananatiling nakatutok sa inyong kaligtasan. Kami ay muling nananawagan sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan na mag-ingat, makinig, at makiisa upang maibsan ang epekto ng bagyong ito. Gabayan nawa tayo ng Panginoon sa panahong ito (Your Armed Forces of the Philippines, in cooperation with other agencies of the government, would focus on ensuring your safety. We are again calling on our fellow Filipinos to take precaution, be updated, and cooperate to mitigate the effects of this typhoon. May God guide us at this time)," he said.

He also expressed confidence that the Filipino spirit will continue to prevail despite the impact of the recent calamities and the looming threat from "Ulysses".

"(Typhoon) Ulysses will test once more our spirit, bruised but not broken," he added.

Meanwhile, newly-appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, has ordered the activation of police units for disaster response in anticipation of the onslaught of the typhoon.

Particularly alerted were all police regional offices and national support units in the entire Southern Luzon to muster all disaster-response capability for risk reduction and public safety operations.

Among preemptive measures being taken are prepositioning of PNP disaster response personnel, equipment, and resources in perennial geohazard areas prone to flooding and landslides to implement forced evacuation of communities in these areas in coordination with LGUs and other agencies.

Likewise, local units were directed to provide assistance and security to evacuation centers and temporary shelters put-up by LGU and DRRMO authorities where PNP Food Bank resources will also be prepositioned. (PNA)

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