NEARLY 300 policemen and their families in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) region have been affected by the Taal Volcano eruption, Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa said on Wednesday, January 15.

"There are 278 policemen who are also affected so ang guidance ni RD, we do not expect them to go on duty, take care of their families first, although 'yung iba nag-duty, so that 'pag maayos na 'yung kanilang pamilya, that's the time that they can render back duty," Gamboa said.

He said the PNP will extend P10,000 assistance to each affected policeman.

"That's around P2.78 million which we'll be releasing to the regional director para naman makatulong doon sa mga pulis na apektado," Gamboa said.

He said they were also able to collect P2.5 million from the P10 donated by each PNP member.

He said the PNP has enough standby forces at the national headquarters should there be need to augment forces in Calabarzon.

Gamboa said police forces involved in response operations in the affected areas are already equipped with N95 masks, goggles and raincoats to protect them against volcanic ash. (SunStar Philippines)