COLONEL Peter Limbauan, director of Samar Police Provincial Office, lauded the personnel of Sto. Nino Municipal Police Station for their successful search, rescue and retrieval operation after they brought some 50 fishermen to safety amid the onslaught of Typhoon Jolina from September 7 to 8, 2021.
“In behalf of Police Regional Office 8 (Eastern Visayas) through Samar Police Provincial Office, we are greatly indebted with the unified effort of the advocacy groups and force multipliers of Sto. Niño Municipal Police Station who immediately provided assistance during this time of calamity,” said Limbauan.
“Likewise, the local government unit of Sto. Niño quickly acted on the needs for the search, rescue and retrieval operation. Further, the swift and timely response of the police officers in this situation saved the lives of these fishermen and they made it possible for them to return to their families safely,” the police provincial director added.
Personnel of Sto. Nino Municipal Police Station, headed by Lieutenant Manuel Ricalde, rescued the fishermen while they were floating for several hours in the seawaters during the onslaught of Typhoon Jolina.
The police and the local government unit also coordinated with the police stations of the nearby island towns regarding the incident.
With the local government unit and other members of the community, the Sto. Niño police initiated a search, rescue, and retrieval operation for more than 13 hours.
They also retrieved at least four cadavers during the operation.
The police, along with the local government unit, established an emergency health station at the municipal gymnasium for rescued typhoon victims.
The station provided first aid, hot meals, dry clothes, slippers, and other basic needs to the wounded and rescued fishermen.
As of September 8, all the 50 survivors were already transported to their respective towns. (SunStar Philippines)