MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said it deployed 4,908 police officers in response to the threat posed by Super Typhoon Ofel (International name: Usagi).
In a press briefing on Thursday, PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the officers were deployed in the Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Bicol regions.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) earlier told INQUIRER.net that Ofel was expected to make landfall near Cagayan by Thursday afternoon.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Duterte threatens to slap, hit Trillanes with mic at drug war probe NEWSINFO WALANG PASOK: Class suspensions for November 14 due to Ofel NEWSINFO Ofel nears super typhoon category; Cagayan under Signal No. 4On Thursday morning, Pagasa raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5 over the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan.
In addition to the deployed officers, the PNP has 3,503 personnel on standby in its Reactionary Standby Support Force in the Bicol region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Cagayan Valley, Fajardo said.
Article continues after this advertisementPNP data showed that 8,890 families or 30,089 individuals were preemptively evacuated for their safety.
Article continues after this advertisementAccording to Fajardo, Police Regional Office 2 Director Brig. Gen. Antonio Marallag started preemptive evacuations in Cagayan Valley, with 153 families or 480 individuals brought to safer locations.
Article continues after this advertisementThe PNP also reported that it rescued 494 individuals and conducted five search, rescue, and retrieval operations.
Ofel is the third tropical cyclone to affect Luzon this November, following Typhoons Nika (International name: Toraji) and Marce (Yinxing).
Article continues after this advertisementOfel was last spotted over the coast of Divilacan, Isabela with maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour and a gustiness of 230 kph, according to Pagasa.
This rapid succession of typhoons comes in the wake of Typhoon Leon (Kong-rey) and Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami), both of which also impacted the island region late last October.
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When asked about the police force’s response to the consecutive cyclones, Fajardo said, “Hindi tayo pwedeng mapagod.”
(We cannot afford to be exhausted.)diamond game
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