Over 4,500 PNP, BFP personnel involved in disaster response ops in Visayas, Mindanao – DILG

Over 4,500 combined personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) have been deployed for disaster response operations in Visayas and Mindanao, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Tuesday.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the PNP has deployed 2,431 police officers, while 2,125 firefighters from the BFP have been mobilized in the affected areas.

“Our forces from the PNP and BFP have been working round the clock since the storm signals have been raised in Central Visayas and nearby regions,” Año said in a statement.

“Hanggang ngayon po ay kasalukuyan pa din silang nasa ground para tumulong sa search and rescue operations,” he added.

(Until now, they are still on the ground assisting in search and rescue operations.)

Año said the authorities have evacuated at least 247,400 individuals in the regions battered by Typhoon Odette.

“Hindi po tayo iniwanan ng ating mga kapulisan (Our police personnel did not leave us). Their presence in this disaster is truly a relief for the local government units (LGUs) and especially for the people victimized by this typhoon,” he said.

Año said that 499 firefighters were involved in hazard response efforts aiding citizens against flooding, landslide, and storm surge.

At least 1,626 BFP personnel were deployed for search, rescue and retrieval (SRR) operations, which involved 1,444 personnel for fire suppression, 118 for emergency medical services, and 64 for SRR.

“Very visible ang ating mga bumbero sa pagtugon sa ating rescue and relief efforts para sa mga nasalanta ni Odette. We are grateful for their service lalo na sa mga panahon ng sakuna katulad nito,” Año said.

(Our firefighters are very visible in responding to our rescue and relief efforts for Odette’s victims. We are grateful for their service especially in times of calamities.)

He added that at least 8,562 PNP personnel were on standby, while 10,631 fire fighters from the BFP were waiting orders for deployment.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) earlier said that Odette could be considered the fiercest tropical cyclone to hit the country this year.

The areas most affected by the typhoon were northeastern Mindanao, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Palawan.

At least 156 people died, 37 were missing, and 275 were injured following Odette's onslaught, according to the NDRRMC on Tuesday.  — VBL, GMA News