PNP personnel deployed to Batangas returning to mother units

January 30, 2020

All 2,000- strong Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF) from the Philippine National Police (PNP) will return to normal duties after providing assistance to affected residents due to Taal Volcano activity, according to a police official.


“In compliance with the order of the President, PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa has immediately directed for the pull-out of the 2,000 strong NHQ PNP RSSF from Batangas effective tonight, with all members to report back to their respective units tomorrow and return to normal duties,” said Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, the PNP spokesman, in a statement last Wednesday night.


Banac said local police units and the Calabarzon police search and rescue unit will continue to provide security and assist in relief operations in areas in Batangas affected by the Taal Volcano eruption with local government units.

“All NHQ PNP RSSF members pulled-out from Batangas have been advised to visit PNP General Hospital to undergo check-up for any sign of respiratory ailment after days of deployment in Taal eruption affected areas,” he said.

In an interview with reporters at the sidelines of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Prospects Forum, Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano said only PNP personnel from respective municipalities are enforcing the lockdown on several barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel.

 “They are okay. People are following (the order) and we give a window of visiting hours so that the people can also tend to their livelihood,” he said.

 Ano said there is no need for augmentation after President Rodrigo Duterte last Wednesday night ordered the withdrawal of security forces in Batangas province as some residents keep on insisting to enter the danger zone.

Duterte has left it to local chief executives and police to secure critical areas.

Residents in some areas in Batangas province can go home after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) lowered the alert status of the volcano to Alert Level 3.

However, towns of Agoncillo and Laruel are still on lockdown while the Taal Volcano Island will be permanently closed to residents. Ella Dionisio/DMS