The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ramped up its deployment of personnel and resources to assist in road clearing and disaster response operations in areas battered by Tropical Storm “Ramil."

In a statement on Monday, PNP Acting Chief P/BGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez noted that police units nationwide have been mobilized to help clear roads blocked by debris and flooding, a critical task to allow unhampered passage of relief goods and emergency responders.

“I have already directed all our commanders on the ground to ensure that sufficient number of our personnel be deployed to assist in road clearing operations,” he said.

“Road networks are essential in the distribution of assistance to the affected residents—we have to keep them cleared from any obstruction at all times,” he further noted. 

The PNP's disaster response teams are also on high alert and closely coordinating with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and local government units to support rescue and relief efforts.

“Our policemen know what to do in times like this. We’ve long been implementing our standard procedures during typhoons, and our units have been on alert since Ramil entered the PAR,” he added.

As of the latest report, a total of 22,311 individuals or 7,884 families from Calabarzon and Region V have been preemptively evacuated. The PNP played a key role in these evacuations, aiming to minimize casualties and ensure the safety of vulnerable residents.

The storm, which continues to bring heavy rains to parts of Luzon, is forecast to move northwestward across Central Luzon and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday morning.

Meanwhile, the PNP is also accounting for any personnel and their families who may have been affected by the storm, to ensure they are provided with immediate assistance.

The public is advised to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities as the country weathers the effects of Tropical Storm Ramil.