The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been placed on heightened alert status effective Saturday, November 8, 2025, as the country braces for the impact of Typhoon Uwan, internationally known as Fung-wong.
Nationwide Police Deployment
Acting PNP chief Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed the mobilization of 4,142 police personnel across multiple regions to support pre-disaster preparedness operations. The deployment breakdown shows Police Regional Office (PRO) 4A contributing the largest force with 3,391 personnel, followed by PRO 1 with 375, PRO 3 with 368, and PRO 4B with eight personnel.
An additional 8,358 members of the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF) from PRO 1, PRO 2, PRO 3, PRO 4A, PRO 4B, and PRO Cordillera Administrative Region are on standby for immediate deployment to areas expected to be severely affected by the approaching typhoon.
Equipment and Evacuation Readiness
The PNP has prepositioned 187 vehicles and mobility assets to facilitate rescue, relief, and evacuation operations. Currently, 20,433 designated evacuation centers nationwide are being closely monitored by local police units to ensure the safety and orderliness of evacuees.
Nartatez emphasized that the PNP's disaster response efforts align with directives from President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. "Our men and women in uniform are ready to respond anytime and anywhere," he stated. "We are working closely with local government units and other frontline agencies to make sure that our communities are safe and that help reaches those who need it the most."
Regional Preparedness Measures
In Central Luzon, Police Chief Brigadier General Rogelio Peñones conducted a comprehensive inspection of disaster response equipment on Friday, November 7, at the PRO 3 Parade Ground in Camp Capt. Julian Olivas. The inspection verified the operational readiness of search and rescue tools, including rescue boats, life vests, chainsaws, generators, floodlights, first-aid kits, and communication systems.
Police units in typhoon-prone regions have received specific instructions to assist in pre-emptive evacuations and clearing operations. The Central Luzon police chief has directed all provincial and city directors to coordinate closely with their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs) and ensure all response units remain in a state of immediate deployability.
Government Leadership Directive
Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla has called for the suspension of foreign travels by all local chief executives until the typhoon situation stabilizes. This directive follows President Marcos' declaration of a state of national calamity, emphasizing the critical need for leadership presence during disaster response and relief operations.
Remulla also reminded local government units to reactivate Local Price Coordinating Councils to prevent overpricing of essential goods and to maintain close coordination with regional and provincial DRRMCs and DILG regional offices for timely response measures.
All DILG regional directors have been instructed to ensure uniform implementation of these directives across all levels of local government, underscoring the importance of strong, hands-on local leadership in protecting lives and ensuring swift community recovery following the typhoon's impact.
