CAMP BGEN. OSCAR M. FLORENDO, La Union — The men and women of Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) have been in the forefront of rescue and rehabilitation efforts in the wake of the massive flooding and extensive damage brought about by typhoon “Pepeng” in the region.

In the worst-hit provinces of Pangasinan and La Union, practically all police personnel in the city and municipal police stations were mobilized for evacuation, search and rescue (SAR), and road-clearing operations.

The Regional and Provincial Mobile Groups of PRO1 were deployed in hard-to-reach areas and were instrumental in saving scores of residents trapped by the rampaging floodwaters.

Chief Superintendent Ramon V. Gatan, PRO1 director and chairman of RDCC1, personally led and closely monitored the ongoing operations in the towns affected severely by the typhoons and floods in his area. At the height of the typhoon, Gatan was able to visit several police stations in Pangasinan and La Union, and in the process personally witnessed the emergency response activities of the police personnel.

“I saw for myself how our policemen in the stations worked so hard to rescue so many people. Indeed, the local government units rely chiefly on our policemen to do the public safety tasks, especially those that entail much danger,” the RDCC1 chair said.

“Our mobile units were also on mission 24-hour a day in the rescue efforts. In particular, the personnel of the Regional Mobile Group 1 led by Senior Supt. Alejandro M. Valerio Jr. worked round-the-clock, braving the swift current of floodwaters and even the nighttime darkness to be able to reach trapped victims. Despite being stretched near their limit, they persevered with admirable courage to rescue a considerable number of residents,” Gatan recounted.

“I would like to thank and commend our police personnel for such display of dedication to duty which is nothing less than heroic,” he emphasized.