NCRPO readies 2,000 police disaster responders

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Wednesday that it has put on standby more than 2,000 policemen for disaster response during the typhoon season.

The NCRPO leadership said it has trained 2,731 Water Survival Search and Rescue (WASAR) personnel ready for deployment as needs of the different district arises.

NCRPO police director Leonardo Espina said he has directed all district directors to re-enforce all WASAR personnel and equipment from non-flood areas to the nearest identified flood prone areas.

"This is to ensure that we can provide immediate response to areas that do not have sufficient equipment. Disaster may bring great damage in a second. Kung manggagaling sa malapit na police station o district ang tulong, mabilis itong makarating sa mga nangangailangan,” Espina said.

Police Senior Superintendent Tyron Masigon, head of the NCRPO's Regional Public Safety Battalion, on Wednesday presented for inspection the equipment, tools and showcased the skills of his men on water safety and survival, boat handling techniques, rope courses and high angle rescue, paramedics and first aiders.

The activity is a part of rhe Disaster Preparedness Week declared by Interior Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, which is part of the government's "zero-casualty" campaign during typhoons and massive flooding.