PHILIPPINE National Police chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar ordered police forces in areas expected to be affected by typhoon ‘Kiko’ to be prepared in providing search, rescue and relief operations amid a PAGASA warning that the weather disturbance may bring catastrophic effects.

The PNP chief said they are monitoring the weather situation in areas where “Kiko” is expected to bring torrential rains and gusty winds.

“Patuloy ang monitoring ng inyong PNP sa maaring maging masamang epekto ng bagyong ‘Kiko’ sa mga lugar na dadaanan nito,” he said.

The top cop instructed all police force in adjacent areas that would not be affected by ‘Kiko’ to put on standby enough personnel and equipment for immediate response for worse-case scenarios.

According to weather bureau PAGASA, ‘Kiko’ is already tracking the direction towards Batanes province, which is now under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) No. 4, together with the northeastern portion of the Babuyan Islands.

PAGASA said stormy weather would be experienced in Batanes and the northeastern portion of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, with possible flash floods or landslides due to heavy to intense rains.

Further, rains and gusty winds are expected in Ilocos Norte, Apayao, the rest of Cagayan, Abra, Kalinga, and the northern portion of Isabela, with possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains.

Gen. Eleazar appealed to the public, especially residents of areas to be hit by the typhoon to follow instructions from local government officials and cooperate with authorities for their safety.

“Sa panahon ng mga ganitong kalamidad, ang ating pagtutulungan ang magsisilbing pag-asa ng ating mga kababayan sa agarang pagbangon sa mga masamang epekto hindi lamang ng bagyong ‘Jolina’ pati na rin ng bagyong Kiko,” the PNP chief said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon