Iloilo City: The Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO6) is ready to respond in times of disaster, said its spokesperson on Thursday. Lt. Col. Arnel Solis emphasized the preparedness of the regional office as they participated in the annual inspection of disaster response equipment held in conjunction with the national headquarters during the third week of May.

According to Philippines News Agency, Solis explained that the police force has prepared its assets early in anticipation of potential disasters. Personnel with specialized training in disaster response have been accounted for, ensuring efficient identification and deployment for search, rescue, and retrieval operations when needed. While maintaining law and order remains the primary responsibility of the police during disasters, Solis noted that they are ready to deploy their resources as necessary.

Solis highlighted that trained personnel are available in every province, and the police maintain close coordination with local disaster risk reduction and management offices at the municipal or city level. However, he acknowledged that not all required equipment may be available, which is why collaboration with local government units is vital. These units have established disaster risk reduction and management offices, enhancing the overall disaster response capability in the region.