Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has directed all police commanders to brace for the potential impact of “Nando,” which weather experts warn may intensify into a super typhoon.
Nartatez said part of the order is to coordinate with local government units and local disaster response councils for united and strategic efforts to ensure public safety.
This includes police presence in case that mandatory evacuation for people living in coastal communities, and flood and landslide-prone areas is necessary.
“I have already directed all police commanders in the affected areas to prepare for worst case scenarios, including the mobilization of our personnel and mobility and communication assets in coordination with concerned local government units,” said Nartatez.
“If the response would require mandatory evacuation, so be it. Our main concern is to ensure the safety of our kababayan,” he added.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said “Nando” rapidly intensified into a typhoon on Saturday, Sept. 20, and and may reach super typhoon strength before approaching or making landfall in the Batanes-Babuyan Islands by Monday, Sept. 22.
Nando’s eye was located approximately 775 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora and is moving west-northwest at 10 km/h.
The typhoon currently packs maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h near the center, with gusts reaching up to 150 km/h, and a central pressure of 985 hPa. Typhoon-force winds may extend up to 500 km from the center.
As “Nando” threatens to bring heavy rains and strong winds, Nartatez said police forces particularly in the northern part of Luzon were tasked to ensure sufficient deployment of police officers as well as the assets needed for response measures.
He said neighboring police officers are also on standby in case additional deployment is needed in the affected areas. (Aaron Recuenco)
