The Philippine National Police (PNP) is on alert as Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) approaches the country’s landmass.
Tino was last spotted at 10 a.m. some 285 kilometers (km) east-southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, moving west-southwestward at 25 km per hour (kph), with a maximum sustained wind speed of 120 kph and gusts of up to 150 kph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
‘The Philippine National Police has placed all units on alert and has already begun deploying personnel ahead of the expected landfall of [Typhoon] Tino,’ the PNP said in a statement on Monday morning.
‘Police units nationwide have activated their disaster action plans in coordination with local government units, the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council), and other emergency responders,’ it added.
PNP community relations executive officer Col. Jessie Tamayao particularly noted that the full alert status was raised for the regional police offices of Eastern Visayas, Negros Island Region, Western Visayas, Mimaropa, Bicol region and Caraga.
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stressed that residents in the affected areas should follow updates from verified sources, avoid unnecessary travel and seek police assistance through the 911 hotline or their nearest police station.
‘Tino will move generally westward and may make its landfall over the vicinity of the southern portion of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte or Dinagat Islands tonight (Nov. 3) or tomorrow (Nov. 4) early morning,’ Pagasa said.