Monday, November 26, 2007 Police chief activates 'Oplan Sagip' to help typhoon victims
NATIONAL Police Chief Avelino Razon Jr. has ordered all police regional directors in areas along the path of typhoon Mina to activate "Oplan Sagip", the Philippine National Police's (PNP) disaster response plan, to assist in evacuation, emergency rescue, and public safety operations.
At the same time, Razon ordered the police regional directors in the Bicol region, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Central Luzon, and Cagayan Valley to exercise their authority as chairperson of their respective regional disaster coordinating councils (RDCCs) in directing all efforts of government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to mitigate the effects of the extreme weather disturbance.
"As chairmen of the RDCC, it is also incumbent upon PNP regional directors to issue travel advisories and to prohibit motorist and commuter traffic in high risk areas, and assist stranded travelers," Razon said.
Effective noon last Saturday, the PNP high command declared a Suspension of Offensive Police Operations (Sopo) against insurgents and domestic threat groups in five regions in Luzon that are threatened by the onslaught of typhoon Mina.
"The Sopo will ensure the availability of all PNP personnel and resources for evacuation, rescue and relief operations in affected areas," Razon said.
According to PNP spokesman Samuel Pagdilao Jr., even while a Sopo is in effect, "police units will continue performing normal police functions of law enforcement, and peace and order maintenance."
Pagdilao said aside from disaster response and law enforcement operations, police units were also instructed to monitor market activities in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and LGUs to ensure that hoarders, profiteers and unscrupulous traders will not take advantage of the calamity situation by raising prices of food products, essential commodities, and fuel products.
The police text hotline TXT PNP 2920 and Patrol 117 will continue to receive and act on complaints of unfair trade practices and profiteering in areas affected by the calamity.
Other PNP operational support units with rescue and emergency response capabilities such as the Special Action Force, Traffic Management Group, Maritime Group, Aviation Security Group, and Health Service and Police Community Relations Group were also placed on alert status to respond to contingencies. (VR/Sunnex)
