(Photo courtesy of Gabaldon Municipal Police Station)
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday reported that six police offices and four vehicles in Central Luzon incurred damage from Sunday's onslaught of Super Typhoon Karding.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the Police Regional Office in Central Luzon (PRO 3) estimated the initial cost of damage from the typhoon at PHP480,980.
“That’s the initial report we tabulated,” Azurin told the Philippine News Agency.
Six police facilities recorded the following damage and its cost from the weather disturbance.
--Dingalan, Aurora Municipal Police Station (MPS) (damaged ceiling due to strong winds, PHP5,980)
--Community Police Assistance Center (COMPAC) 41, Mobile Patrol Unit, Angeles City Police Station in Barangay Balibago, Pampanga province (damaged roof and ceiling due to fallen tree, PHP20,000)
--303rd Mobile Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 3, Gapan City, Nueva Ecija (damaged roof and ceiling due to strong wind and a fallen tree branch, PHP150,000)
--Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office headquarters in Cabanatuan City (damaged canopy at provincial director's quarters and roof and ceiling of club house due to strong winds and fallen tree, PHP30,000)
--Licab MPS, Nueva Ecija -- damaged window and station signage due to strong winds, PHP130,000)
--Gabaldon MPS, Nueva Ecija -- damaged roof and window due to strong winds, PHP70,000)
Azurin assured that the PNP has its own funds to finance the repair of police stations and other offices that are damaged in times of natural calamities.
Meanwhile, the typhoon also damaged four police vehicles:
--4 x 4 personnel carrier of Dingalan, Aurora Police Station (minor crack in blinker, PHP20,000)
--4 x 2 patrol jeep of Bongabon MPS, Nueva Ecija (dents on the hood by a fallen tree, PHP10,000)
--4 x 2 patrol jeep of Santo Domingo MPS, Nueva Ecija (broken windshield and blinker, PHP30,000)
--4 x 2 patrol jeep of San Jose MPS, Tarlac (broken windshield, PHP15,000)
Azurin also tasked the chiefs of police and other commanders to check the status of their respective personnel to determine if they were affected by the weather disturbance.
Meanwhile, the PNP has also deployed personnel in identified evacuation areas so immediate assistance can be assured.
“Our personnel are in constant coordination with the LGU and all other government agencies in assisting to the need of transferring the residents to a safer place. It is high time to show our spirit of Bayanihan. Tulong-tulong tayo sa pagligtas ng ating mga kababayan (Let us help save our compatriots),’’ Azurin said.
“We continue to urge the public, especially those directly hit by the calamity, to exercise vigilance and discipline in this trying time. Our hardworking personnel are constantly conducting patrols to scour on areas and assess the typhoon effect,” he added.
Meanwhile, the PNP has shifted its focus to clearing operations in areas severely affected by the typhoon.
Some 1,584 police personnel in the National Capital Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Bicol regions for search, rescue and retrieval operations.
“Now that “Karding” has exited from the Philippine Area of Responsibility, our personnel will be assisting on clearing operations and relief operations. There is so much work to be done especially since many structures and houses were damaged by the storm,” PNP deputy chief for administration and officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo said in a separate statement.
He said police units have been continuously coordinating with their respective Local governments and disaster management authorities.
“Our assets, including our transportation and communication equipment were made available to augment in the rescue, relief and clearing operations. Tulong-tulong tayo sa pagbangon, sino man, saan man, kami ay handa kayong protektahan at pagsilbihan. Kami ang inyong kapulisan. Kakampi ninyo sa kaligtasan (Let's help each other to get up, whoever, wherever, we are ready to protect and serve you. We are your police. Your ally in salvation),” he said.
Malayo assured charity groups and other concerned individuals that the PNP is willing and able to assist them in the relief efforts to alleviate the dire situation of those directly affected by the typhoon. (PNA)
