Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Wednesday assured that the police force is fully prepared for disaster response in the upcoming rainy season.
“Prepared kami 100 percent ang pulis natin (We are 100 percent) prepared to help. Yung gamit namin sabi ko nga although konti pero yung puso namin talagang nandun, talagang committed (Although we lack equipment, our heart is committed),” he told the media during an inspection of the PNP’s disaster response equipment at Camp Crame.
The PNP Public Information Office (PNP PIO) said the police force has at least 9,328 transportation assets for disaster response, including patrol vehicles, speedboats, and helicopters.
The PNP also has 8,422 search and rescue equipment, including harnesses, heavy-duty bolt cutters, search lights, chain saws, and blue boxes, and 26,110 communication assets for disaster response.
“Bumili kami ng maraming (We purchase a lot of) satellite phones during the elections, so it will complement yung mga kakulangan natin sa ground na equipment (our for deficiencies in ground equipment),” he said.
During the inspection, PNP units also presented Marbil with their “go bags,” containing essential personal safety and first aid equipment.
Marbil said raincoats will be distributed to police officers, while three mobile water purification systems are ready to be deployed.
The PNP has a manpower of 21,840 personnel composed of urban search and rescue, water search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief teams, ready for rapid response during disasters. (PNA)
