Manila: Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., acting Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), on Friday ordered police forces to assist in the preemptive evacuation of residents in areas along the path of Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi).

According to Philippines News Agency, the order is in response to the directive of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to the local government units (LGUs) to ensure preemptive evacuation in areas at risk. This includes those living in coastal areas and flood- and landslide-prone areas.

'We already deployed a sufficient number of personnel and resources to assist in all the disaster response measures, including preemptive evacuation to ensure the safety of our kababayan and in securing all the evacuation centers,' said Nartatez. 'I also directed our personnel on the ground to help ensure that all evacuation centers are safe and with sufficient food, water, and other basic needs in coordination with the LGUs. We will continue to monitor the situation on the ground,' he added.

Among those ordered to be alert are police search and rescue teams for emergency response and a sufficient number of personnel for road clearing operations and relief distribution. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. earlier directed all government agencies to ensure that all resources are available amid the threat of heavy rains and strong winds.

Opong is expected to cross the Bicol Region, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa on its way out of the country's area of responsibility.