PHILIPPINE National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar on Friday ordered the setting up of Police Assistance Desks in different government-run evacuation centers in Batangas, where more than 1,600 residents are currently being housed amid the continuous threat of Taal Volcano eruption.

The PNP chief instructed Police Regional Office 4-A director Brig. Gen. Eliseo DC Cruz to ensure that the PADs will be manned 24/7 by uniformed personnel to make certain the security and safety of the Taal evacuees as well as their compliance to minimum health protocols to prevent more COVID-19 transmissions.

Based on the latest data from the Batangas Police Provincial Office, more than 1,600 evacuees are staying in at least 10 evacuation centers in the municipalities of Laurel, Talisay, Balete and Agoncillo.

There were concerns, however, on the health safety of the evacuees amid the continuing threat of the coronavirus disease, with some people fearing that the evacuation centers could be a ground for mass infection.

“I have already directed the commander, JTF COVID Shield, and the RD, PRO4A to set up Police Assistance Desks in all the evacuation centers in Batangas to ensure that the security and health safety are assured 24/7,” said Eleazar in answer to the public concerns.

“Kasama dito ang pag-designate ng COVID-19 protocol officer na makikipagtulungan sa local health office at LGU upang hangga’t maari ay matiyak na napapatupad ang minimum public health safety protocol sa mga evacuation center,” he added.

Eleazar also lauded Brig. Gen. Cruz and the Batangas Police Provincial Office headed by Col. Glicerio Cansilao for their immediate actions on the evacuation and other needs of the people affected by the Taal Volcano rumbling.

Police personnel and PNP mobile assets were already deployed and placed on standby in various locations in the affected areas in Batangas.

Checkpoints were also set up in strategic areas in Batangas to prevent the return of local residents and deny tourists and other people entry into the declared danger zones.

“Nauunawaan namin ang hirap ng sitwasyon ng ating mga kababayan na napilitang lumikas sa panahon pa mismo ng pandemya. Pero kailangan nating mag-ingat at makakaasa kayo na ang inyong PNP ay tutugon dito,” the country’s top cop said.

Cruz, meanwhile, directed the Rizal and Quezon Police Provincial Offices to organize their platoon size RSSF, with SAR Teams, in the event that the situation escalates.

Police Provincial Offices of Laguna and Cavite were also ordered to establish their border control points to discourage entry of tourists on affected localities as to prevent confusion and ensure orderly management of incident.

He said essential goods and services shall remain unhampered to ensure sufficient supply of commodities.

The Calabarzon regional director appealed to volunteers and donors of relief goods to directly proceed to Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office hubs for proper check-ins of resources and proper coordination.

As of 4:30 p.m. Friday, some 1,570 individuals from Laurel, Agoncillo, Balete and Talisay were evacuated by the PNP and local government units to 10 evacuation centers located mostly in Batangas province.

With Jane Eleda