PHILIPPINE National Police chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. on Friday ordered all policemen to arrest profiteers and hoarders in areas badly devastated by typhoon ‘Egay.’

“In areas declared under state of calamity, PNP units were instructed to closely monitor market activities against profiteering, hoarding and unfair trade practices and to assist the Department of Trade and Industry and local government units in imposing price freeze on basic commodities,” the top cop said in a press statement.

He added that the PNP’s ongoing relief operations and preparedness measures are part of their commitment to serve and protect the people during times of crisis.

“With the support of its personnel and resources, the PNP aims to provide much-needed relief and assistance to those affected by Typhoon Egay, demonstrating the resilience and solidarity of the nation in the face of natural disasters,” he said.

Acorda has ordered the launching of a comprehensive relief operation and preparedness plan to provide vital assistance to the affected communities.

The relief operations and preparedness plan encompass a range of key initiatives aimed at delivering aid and support to regions severely hit by the powerful storm.

They include the PNP Food Bank readiness and deployment of personnel in the affected areas. Acorda ordered the Police Community Affairs and Development Group (PCADG) headed by Brigadier Gen. Lou F. Evangelista and concerned Police Regional Offices to conduct thorough inventory checks of goods and items stored in their respective Food Banks.

“This measure ensures that the PNP is well-equipped to dispatch and augment relief operations in devastated regions,” he said.

The PNP also launched its ‘Adopt-A-Region Program wherein specific PROs have been assigned to support and provide aid to regions in need.

The National Capital Region Police Office will adopt the Police Regional Office 1; the PRO3 will adopt PRO 2, and PRO 4-A will adopt the Cordillera Police Regional Office.

The respective regional directors have been tasked to submit lists of severely affected areas in their jurisdictions to prioritize aid dispatch and personnel augmentation.

Acorda also ordered the utilization of specialized resources like the PNP Special Action Force headed by Major Gen. Rudolph B. Dimas, which is preparing its desalination machines to provide clean drinking water to communities where water sources have been contaminated.

Meanwhile, the PNP Aviation Unit is ensuring the readiness of its helicopters to transport relief goods to areas inaccessible by conventional vehicles.

The PNP Highway Patrol Group and Maritime Group were also ordered to provide assistance to the transportation of relief goods and ensure a smooth and efficient distribution process.

PNP Director for Police-Community Relations, Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan O. Okubo, and PNP The Chief Directorial Staff, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel B. Peralta led the simultaneous send-off ceremonies of police units that will be deployed in the affected areas.