Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Tuesday that it continues to ensure public safety and maintain law enforcement operations despite the significant damage inflicted by Super Typhoon Uwan on police facilities nationwide. The typhoon affected 24 police stations and two headquarters across Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas. Additionally, two police vehicles were damaged, and 27 uniformed personnel along with one non-uniformed personnel were impacted, with some losing personal belongings.
According to Philippines News Agency, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that although there were temporary disruptions, especially in regions severely hit by Typhoon Uwan, communication lines and operational control were quickly restored. He assured that command centers remained functional, and despite the damage to facilities and the personal impact on personnel, the police continued their duties, sometimes operating from temporary posts to ensure public safety and coordination with local responders.
The PNP conducted rapid damage assessments of all affected facilities and activated temporary command posts for units unable to function in their usual locations. Nartatez emphasized that disaster preparedness and response had been timely and effective, with personnel and assets prepositioned before the typhoon’s landfall. He noted that units across regions were alerted and personnel were deployed to aid in preemptive evacuation, search and rescue, and relief operations. Despite the typhoon’s severity, the majority of units remained operational.
In addition to recovery efforts, the PNP plans to provide emergency assistance to police personnel affected by the typhoon, including support for damaged homes and lost personal property. As recovery continues following Typhoon Tino, law enforcement in Central Visayas managed to arrest 183 suspects in a weeklong intensified operation from November 2 to 8. This included apprehending 84 drug suspects and seizing 647.67 grams of suspected shabu, valued at PHP4,404,156. Anti-firearms operations led to 14 arrests, the recovery of 36 unregistered firearms, three explosives, and 204 rounds of ammunition. Authorities also served 41 warrants of arrest, capturing 11 most wanted individuals and 30 other wanted persons. Efforts against illegal gambling resulted in 44 arrests and the seizure of PHP7,813 in gambling proceeds.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. commended local government units for their proactive measures during Uwan’s onslaught. Through effective communication and leadership, over 1.6 million individuals, or nearly 490,000 families, were safely evacuated from danger zones. The DILG praised these efforts for preventing greater loss of life and showcasing the benefits of proactive governance and community collaboration.
