Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar Retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief-turned 2022 senatorial candidate Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar

PNP on alert as ‘Maring’ intensifies

October 10, 2021 Alfred P. Dalizon 368 views

PHILIPPINE National Police chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Sunday asked the public to remain alert after weather experts warned that Tropical Storm “Maring” has further intensified as it continuously merges with another weather disturbance.

He reminded local residents in storm surge, flood and landslide-prone areas to heed to the call of their respective local government units (LGUs) for their safety.

“Nakikiusap tayo sa ating mga kababayan na sumunod sa mga kautusan ng inyong lokal na pamahalaan at huwag ng hintayin pa na kung kailan nasa peligro na ang inyong buhay ay saka kayo hihingi ng tulong para iligtas,” Gen. Eleazar said.

“Hindi lang ang buhay ninyo ang mahalaga, mahalaga din ang buhay ng ating mga search and rescue teams na ilalagay ninyo sa peligro dahil sa katigasan ng inyong ulo,” he added.

As of Sunday morning, weather bureau PAGASA said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over nine areas as Maring continues to merge with a low pressure area, the remnant of the earlier weather disturbance, Tropical Depression Nando.

TCWS No. 1 is in effect over the following areas: Catanduanes, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the northeastern portion of Isabela (Santa Maria, Cabagan, Tumauini, San Pablo, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, Ilagan City, San Mariano), Eastern Samar, the eastern portion of Northern Samar (San Roque, Pambujan, Las Navas, Catubig, Laoang, Mapanas, Lapinig, Gamay, Palapag, Mondragon, Silvino Lobos), the eastern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Hinabangan, Paranas), Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte.
PAGASA warned that moderate to heavy rains due to Maring could be encountered in the next 24 hours over Eastern Samar and Catanduanes.

Meanwhile, light to moderate rains, heavy at times, may also be expected over Bicol and Carga region and the rest of Visayas.

Gen. Eleazar tasked all concerned police units to prepare all the necessary assets for possible evacuation of residents that will be affected or hit by the typhoon.

“Sa gitna ng banta ng malakas na bagyo, inatasan ko na ang mga unit commanders sa mga apektadong lugar na ihanda ang mga PNP assets na maaaring gamitin sa preemptive evacuation na gagawin ng mga lokal na pamahalaan,” he said.

“I also gave instructions to the PNP regional directors put on standby enough forces that will help not only in preemptive evacuation but also on the conduct of search and rescue and other disaster response,” Gen. Eleazar said

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