The Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO6) is ready to respond in times of disaster, said its spokesperson on Thursday.

Lt. Col. Arnel Solis, in an interview, said the regional office joined the national headquarters for the annual inspection of disaster response equipment during the third week of May and presented its capabilities.

“We prepare our assets early in case of disaster. We have accounted personnel with training on disaster response, so when the situation dictates, it would be easy for us to identify and deploy for search, rescue and retrieval operations,” he said.

He added that while the main work of the police in times of disaster is on law and order, they are not discounting the possibility of deploying their assets when needed.

Solis said they have trained personnel in every province, but they also closely coordinate with the local disaster risk reduction and management offices at the municipal or city level.

“In terms of equipment, we cannot say that all the needed equipment is there. That is why our efforts are collaborated with local government units because they have disaster risk reduction and management offices,” he added. (PNA)