The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready to deploy a team of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) experts that would help the government in repatriating Filipinos from some cities in China.
The possible deployment of the team, composed mostly of policemen with medical background, was announced by PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa on Monday in response to the orders of President Duterte mobilizing the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease.
The CBRNE-trained medical personnel from the PNP Health Service would assist “concerned agencies in the repatriation of Filipinos based in China and other countries affected by the 2019-nCoV who will wish to return to the country subject to mandatory quarantine procedure,” Gamboa said.
Currently, the PNP has a ready complement of 105 CBRNE-trained personnel from Special Action Force, Health Service, Crime Laboratory and EOD-K9 that can be mobilized to respond to CBRNE cases.
“As specifically directed by President Duterte, through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, the PNP shall actively assist the task force in implementing the presidential directive within the limits of our operational capability,” Gamboa said.
Meanwhile, the PNP chief has directed all regional and National Support Unit directors to make available individual face masks for all PNP personnel, and provision for hand sanitizers in PNP offices and facilities.
The order was issued in support to the effort of the Department of Health to control the possible spread of the Corona virus through person-to-person contact.
Gamboa said the PNP is also seriously considering the temporary lockdown of all of its training facilities, including the PNP Academy and all of its regional training schools in order to ensure the safety, and protection, of cadets and trainees in the facilities.
The PNP chief has also ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and local PNP units, to assist the Department of Trade and Industry, and local government units, in monitoring market activities to identify establishments, and traders, engaged in hoarding and profiteering of medical supplies, such as face masks and disinfectants, in order to create artificial demand and justify a hike in prices.