PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) unit commanders were ordered to prepare PNP assets, including placing enough number of personnel as Tropical Storm “Maring” (international name “Kompasu”) continues to intensify and has merged with a typhoon that earlier entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Typhoon Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 has already been hoisted in 17 areas as of the 11 a.m. bulletin issued by the Philippine state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or PAGASA.
PNP Chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday, October 10, asked the public to remain alert after weather experts warned that Tropical Storm “Maring” has further intensified as it continuously merges with another weather disturbance, Tropical Disturbance Nando, which has already weakened into a Low Pressure Area (LPA).
The merger between the two weather disturbances was expected to be completed this Sunday morning.
PGen Eleazar said that local residents in storm surge, flood and landslide-prone areas should heed the call of their respective local government units (LGUs) for their safety.
“Nakikiusap tayo sa ating mga kababayan na sumunod sa mga kautusan ng inyong lokal na pamahalaan at huwag nang hintayin pa na kung kailan nasa peligro na ang inyong buhay ay saka kayo hihingi ng tulong para iligtas,” PGen Eleazar said.
“Hindi lang ang buhay ninyo ang mahalaga, mahalaga din ang buhay ng ating mga search and rescue teams na ilalagay ninyo sa peligro dahil sa katigasan ng inyong ulo,” he added.
TCWS No. 1 is in effect over the following areas: Catanduanes, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the northeastern portion of Isabela (Santa Maria, Cabagan, Tumauini, San Pablo, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, Ilagan City, San Mariano), Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, Eastern Samar, the eastern portion of Northern Samar (San Roque, Pambujan, Las Navas, Catubig, Laoang, Mapanas, Lapinig, Gamay, Palapag, Mondragon, Silvino Lobos), the eastern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Hinabangan, Paranas), Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte.
PAGASA warned that moderate to heavy rains due to Maring could be encountered in the next 24 hours over Eastern Samar and Catanduanes.
Meanwhile, light to moderate rains, heavy at times, may also be expected over the Bicol Region, Caraga, and the rest of Visayas.
“Sa gitna ng banta ng malakas na bagyo, inatasan ko na ang mga unit commanders sa mga apektadong lugar na ihanda ang mga PNP assets na maaring gamitin sa preemptive evacuation na gagawin ng mga lokal na pamahalaan,” he said.
“I also gave instructions to the PNP regional directors put on standby enough forces that will help not only in preemptive evacuation but also on the conduct of search and rescue and other disaster response,” PGen Eleazar said.