Policemen and soldiers were deployed in several areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces to assist motorists, commuters and local residents who were affected by flash floods brought by heavy rains spawned by tropical storm “Ondoy”.

Following the flooding that swept several parts of Metro Manila, Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina, spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP), immediately advised the residents to stay home and secure their families instead of reporting to work or going to malls.

“The PNP is presently operating with all members of the Disaster and Coordinating Councils in all affected parts for emergency response, rescue, evacuation and relief operations,” said Espina.

A report reaching Camp Crame in Quezon City revealed that more than 30 barangays in Metro Manila were swept with an average of two-feet flood, especially the low-lying areas in the Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela area and in Quezon City, Pasig, San Juan and Marikina.

A total of 37 road sections in Metro Manila are not passable to light vehicles due to flooding, including EDSA where a monstrous traffic jam occurred on both northbound and southbound lanes that started a few hours before noon.

Lieutenant-Colonel Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman, said 14 teams of Navy personnel were sent in various areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces to assist affected residents.

Aboard rubber boats, some of the teams were able to extend assistance, especially in transporting trapped residents in the CAMANAVA area.

Arevalo said two teams were also sent in the southern part of Metro Manila, particularly Parañaque, while eight rescue teams were tasked to concentrate the operations in Cavite and another two in central Luzon.

In Metro Manila, some 1,800 persons were already moved to evacuation centers due to heavy flooding, most of them in Marikina City and Pasig City.

Senior Superintendent Manolito Labador, commander of the Laguna Police, said a total of 250 families from Barangay, Palingon, Calamba City were already evacuated to the nearby Palingon Elementary School.

“Assisting the evacuees are the city disaster council to include the PNP and barangay officials,” said Labador.