QUEZON CITY -- Over 4,500 combined Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) uniformed personnel have been deployed and are currently conducting disaster response operations with more than 19,000 on standby following the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in the Visayas and Mindanao area, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said that the PNP and BFP, two agencies under the Department, have evacuated some 247,400 individuals in regions hammered by ‘Odette’. He said the PNP has deployed 2,431 police officers while 2,125 fire fighters of the BFP have been mobilized in these regions.

“Our forces from the PNP and BFP have been working round the clock since the storm signals have been raised in Central Visayas and nearby regions. Hanggang ngayon po ay kasalukuyan pa din silang nasa ground para tumulong sa search and rescue operations para sa ating mga kababayan,” Año said.

Typhoon Odette which made its initial landfall in Siargao Island in Surigao Del Norte pounded provinces in Central Visayas and adjacent regions leaving millions worth of infrastructure damage alone.

Año said that the PNP assisted in evacuating a total of 99,571 individuals, of which 44,761 are from MIMAROPA; 12,271 are from Region 6; 44,615 are from Region 7; 7,681 are from Region 8; 278 are from Region 10; 29,820 are from Region 13; and 145 are from Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

He likewise said the PNP rescued a total of 4,941 individuals most of whom are from Region 6 accounting to 4,007 and assisted in 448 relief operations. “Hindi po tayo iniwanan ng ating mga kapulisan. Their presence in this disaster is truly a relief for the local government units (LGUs) and especially for the people victimized by this typhoon.”

Moreover, Año said that 499 fire fighters were involved in hazard response efforts aiding citizens against flooding, landslide, and storm surge, while 1,626 were deployed for search, rescue and retrieval (SRR) operations which involved 1,444 personnel for fire suppression; 118 for emergency medical services; and 64 for SRR.

He said that through the BFP’s efforts, 147,829 individuals have been evacuated to safer areas and evacuation centers most of whom were from CARAGA totalling 107,698 individuals. Ninety-one (91) evacuees were from MIMAROPA; 813 from Region 6; Region 7 with 30; 19,597 for Region 7; 7,840 from Region 10; and11,760 from BAR.

“Very visible ang ating mga bumbero sa pagtugon sa ating rescue and relief efforts para sa mga nasalanta ni ‘Odette’. We are grateful for their service lalo na sa mga panahon ng sakuna katulad nito,” Año said.

Meanwhile, PNP’s 8,562 Reactionary Standby Support Force and BFP’s 10,631 fire fighters, Año mentioned, are on standby and are awaiting orders for deployment, if need be, to boost relief and rescue efforts in areas hardly hit by ‘Odette’. (DILG)