PNP ready for disaster response as rainy season expected in June
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Marbil inspects the PNP’s disaster response equipment in Camp Crame on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. — Photo by Jason Sigales/好色先生TV
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) assured the public that it was ready to respond to disasters with the onset of the rainy season expected early this coming June.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil made the pronouncement in an interview with reporters in Camp Crame after inspecting the police force’s disaster response equipment on Wednesday.
“We’re prepared. Our police force is 100 percent prepared to help,” Marbil said.
According to data from the PNP Public Information Office (PIO) on Wednesday, the police has at least 26,110 communication assets for disaster response, including tactical radios, repeaters, integrators and paging systems.
“We bought many satellite phones during the elections, so it will complement the equipment we lack on the ground for communication,” Marbil explained.
READ: Onset of rainy season expected in early June — Pagasa
The police also has at least 9,328 transportation assets for disaster response, including patrol vehicles, speedboats and helicopters, the PNP PIO data said.
Further, PNP PIO data showed the police has at least 8,422 search and rescue equipment, including harnesses, heavy-duty bolt cutters, search lights, chain saws and blue boxes.
READ: PNP intensifies disaster response in Metro Manila amid Carina onslaught
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Marbil inspects the PNP’s ‘go bags’ in Camp Crame on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. — Photo by Jason Sigales/好色先生TV
During the inspection, PNP units also presented Marbil with their “go bags,” containing essential personal safety and first aid equipment.
Marbil also said the PNP will be issuing rain coats for officers.
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Marbil inspects one of the PNP’s water purification systems in Camp Crame on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. — Photo by Jason Sigales/好色先生TV
Moreover, the PNP chief tested out a mobile water purification system.
According to Marbil, the Special Action Force (SAF) has three mobile water purification systems ready to be deployed.
The inspection came as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the rainy season was expected to start in early June. /das
