Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764135528922cropped-589232801_1351926910315895_3171562980072391618_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">57 barangays in Oriental Mindoro are submerged in floods as of Nov. 26, 2025. Courtesy of MDRRMO Baco via Dennis Datu, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed personnel and equipment across storm-hit communities as severe tropical storm Verbena continues to trigger flooding and evacuations across parts of the Visayas.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/11/26/verbena-intensifies-into-severe-tropical-storm-1157">Verbena intensifies into severe tropical storm</a></div><p>In a statement, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police units were dispatched early to ensure the safe evacuation of residents in high-risk areas and to maintain order in evacuation centers.</p><p>“We mobilized and deployed many of our personnel and all the available resources on the ground to assist all our kababayan—from evacuation and rescue operations to securing evacuation centers and assisting in disaster response,” Nartatez said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/11/26/verbena-now-nearing-severe-tropical-storm-strength-as-it-moves-farther-away-from-land-0624">Verbena now nearing severe tropical storm strength as it moves farther from land</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RESCUE OPERATIONS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>In Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, personnel of the Bayawan City Police Station ferried families stranded in Sitio Plywood, Barangay Ubos, as rising floodwaters cut off access to several homes.</p><p>Across Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, police units in Guihulngan, Hinigaran, and Pamplona conducted river monitoring, checked on evacuees, and provided transportation for internally displaced families.</p><p>Maritime police in Negros Occidental also launched rescue and clearing operations in Purok Mars, Barangay Singcang Airport in Bacolod City, ensuring communities near waterways remained safe as water levels rose.</p><p>In Cebu, police officers, LGU personnel, and rescue teams worked together in Carcar City to pull stranded residents from sudden flash floods.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;EARLY DIRECTIVES&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>During a press briefing Wednesday, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said early directives from Nartatez helped accelerate coordination with local government units.</p><p>“Malaki pong bagay ang binigyan ng kautusan ng ating chief PNP na bago pa man dumaan itong bagyong Verbena ay nakapaghanda ang PNP kaugnay ng pakikipag-ugnayan sa LGU sapagkat malaking bagay na ‘yung mga pre-accounting natin, pre-inspection sa mga units natin para matugunan ‘yung mga gagawin ng ating mga pulis,” he said.</p><p>“Sa kasalukuyan naman ay wala tayong nai-record na damage sa PNP mobility, communications, stations at patuloy lang nakaantabay at sumusuporta ang inyong PNP kaugnay ng nasabing bagyo.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>CHALLENGES ON THE GROUND</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Nartatez acknowledged the difficulties faced by police personnel amid the storm’s impact, citing flooded roads, landslides, and intermittent power interruptions.</p><p>Despite this, he assured the public that the PNP is maximizing all resources available.</p><p>The PNP called on the public to heed evacuation orders, stay away from flooded areas, and avoid unnecessary travel.</p><p>Residents were also encouraged to immediately report emergencies to local police or through official hotlines.</p><p>Authorities continue to monitor situation reports from local units as Verbena moves across the country.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sA1eKSZtoFo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o1Ln1r4mcak?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The PNP has deployed personnel and equipment across storm-hit communities as severe tropical storm Verbena continues to trigger flooding and evacuations across parts of the Visayas.</p>

The PNP has deployed personnel and equipment across storm-hit communities as severe tropical storm Verbena continues to trigger flooding and evacuations across parts of the Visayas.

PNP steps up rescue efforts as Verbena floods Visayas

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PNP steps up rescue efforts as Verbena floods Visayas

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 26, 2025 01:41 PM PHT

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PNP

police

Verbena

tropical storm

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