Eastern Visayas top cop asks men to be on typhoon alert

TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 14  -- The Police Regional Office 8 (Eastern Visayas) here has asked its men to be on alert as Typhoon Ompong threatens several provinces in the country.

PRO-8 Director Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos ordered policemen to check on residents in coastal areas and assist in the evacuation, if necessary.

The police official issued the directive as the region experienced stronger winds and moderate rains in the past two days as “Ompong” moves closer to northern Luzon. There are 5,000 policemen in the region. 

“Our police officers all over the region are mandated to prepare their search and rescue equipment in their public safety companies and to coordinate with the local risk reduction council to help evacuate residents if necessary,” Carlos added.

Of all the six provinces, only Northern Samar was placed under signal No. 1, but rough seas have been observed in almost all coastal communities in the region since Thursday.

Carlos added that to be prepared, it is good to do the right measures in securing families and houses.

“Our police officers in the region are ready to help, offer their services, however they also need the cooperation of the residents for the safety of everyone,” Carlos said in a statement sent to reporters Friday.

Even with the absence of storm warning signals, several local government units in Eastern Visayas suspended classes in all levels since Thursday as a precautionary measure.

As of 11 a.m., the typhoon was already 540 km. east of Baler, Aurora, moving northwest at 20 km. per hour (kph).
The typhoon has maintained its maximum winds of 205 kph and gustiness of up to 255 kph. (SQM/PNA)