PNP mobilizes personnel for relief ops amid Kiyapo, habagat

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has mobilized personnel and resources to support relief operations in communities affected by Tropical Storm Kiyapo (international name: Noul) and the southwest monsoon (habagat).

In a statement on Monday, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police units are assisting local government units in rescue operations, coordinating with local disaster risk reduction and management councils, and validating casualty reports.

“Our personnel and resources were mobilized and strategically deployed to assist in the relief operations for affected communities,” Nartatez said.

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“We assure all our affected kababayan of the PNP’s presence to ensure your safety,” he added.

Nartatez further said he ordered the police units in the affected regions to conduct a damage assessment on their respective stations and facilities to guarantee uninterrupted services and response.

Flooding caused by the combined effects of Kiyapo and the monsoon affected around 59,000 families in the regions of Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region and Soccsksargen, according to the PNP.

Kiyapo left the Philippine area of responsibility last Saturday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). ** Geneson Satsatin, INQUIRER.net trainee** /jpv