The Philippine National Police (PNP) will not falter in its law enforcement mandate despite damage sustained by some of its facilities due to the onslaught of Super Typhoon ‘Uwan’ which pummeled the country over the weekend.
In a statement on Tuesday, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said that they will continue with their public safety and non-stop law enforcement services.
Based on police records, Uwan damaged a total of 24 police stations and two headquarters across Cagayan Valley, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.
Two police vehicles were also damaged, while 27 uniformed personnel and one non-uniformed personnel were affected by the storm, with some losing personal property.
‘There were temporary disruptions in some areas especially in regions hard hit by Typhoon Uwan but we immediately restored communication lines and operational control. Our command centers remained functional,’ Nartatez said.
‘Even if a number of our police stations and offices were damaged and some of our personnel were also affected, your police continued their duties. Some even operated from temporary posts just to ensure public safety and continuous coordination with local responders,’ he added.
To address the impacts of the typhoon, the PNP conducted rapid damage assessments of all affected police stations and headquarters, and activated temporary command posts and relocation centers for units unable to operate in their regular facilities.