Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday all units have been placed on heightened alert, as it ordered the immediate implementation of critical preparedness measures for the possible impact of Typhoon Inday.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP Directorate for Public and Community Relations (DPCR) Community Affairs Division (CAD) chief Col. Jonathan Abella stated that the PNP will be deploying its search and rescue as well as disaster response assets and personnel to areas that may be affected by the typhoon. "In anticipation of the possible effects of Typhoon Bavi (international name), the Philippine National Police has placed all Police Regional Offices, National Support Units, and other concerned units on heightened operational readiness to ensure the safety and security of the public," Abella told reporters in a chance interview at Camp Crame.
Abella mentioned that PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed all commanders of police offices to monitor developments in their areas and respond to any emergency or requests for assistance. "We have also directed all police commanders to continuously monitor developments in their respective areas of responsibility and promptly respond to any emergency or request for assistance," he said.
He added that the PNP is closely working with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Office of Civil Defense, and various local government units and emergency response agencies for security and safety during evacuation and assistance. The PNP will be activating its disaster preparedness and response protocols. Search, Rescue and Retrieval Teams, Quick Response Teams, and disaster response personnel are on standby for immediate deployment.
Abella further noted that rescue equipment, patrol vehicles, communication assets, and other emergency response resources have been inspected and prepositioned in areas that may be affected by the typhoon. He also emphasized that the PNP remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted police services and the protection of lives and property throughout the duration of the weather disturbance.
"Rest assured that the PNP stands ready to respond and will continue working alongside our partner agencies to safeguard our communities before, during, and after the passage of Typhoon Bavi," he stressed. The PNP official also urged the public to monitor advisories issued by the weather bureau and government agencies, particularly regarding evacuations, as well as avoid unnecessary travel in areas that are prone to flooding and landslides.
In a related development, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian called for the full implementation of the Ligtas Pinoy Act, which mandates the construction of permanent, fully equipped, and disaster-resilient evacuation centers in every city and municipality nationwide. In a statement Thursday, Gatchalian, co-author of the law, stressed the importance of early preparation and called on local government units to activate contingency measures, preposition relief goods, and ensure the readiness of evacuation centers.
Under the Ligtas Pinoy Act, which Gatchalian co-authored, evacuation centers must be built to withstand up to 300-kilometer-per-hour typhoon winds. According to Gatchalian, a PHP3.745-billion budget has been allocated under the 2026 national budget for the construction of evacuation centers.
