Palace appeals for preparation vs typhoon; cops on heightened alert

Malacañang urged the public Saturday to be alert and not to panic over reports that potential super-typhoon “Juan" (Megi) will bring as much rain as storm “Ondoy" (Ketsana) poured last year. Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said government is keeping track of Juan and has prepared concerned agencies to address potential damage. “Huwag tayo maaalarma pero maghanda tayo sa darating para ma-avert ang malaking pinsala (Let us not be alarmed but we must be ready to avert major casualties)," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. Meanwhile, police in Metro Manila were placed on heightened alert Saturday and will go on full alert Sunday noon in preparation for the possible destruction typhoon cyclone Juan will bring. New Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome gave the order during a meeting with his district directors early Saturday. “We placed our men on heightened alert so at least half our force will be on duty at any time. By noon Sunday, Metro Manila police will be on full alert," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. By Sunday he said he expects all police personnel to be at their posts. “Lahat kailangan sa kanilang istasyon, para kung may mangyari nakahanda pa rin tayo (All should be at their stations by then, so if something happens we will be ready)," he said. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority went on high alert as well, with MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino asking outdoor advertisers to take down their billboards. Falling billboards had been blamed for deaths in past cyclones that hit the country. “We appeal to outdoor advertisers to take down their billboards so if Juan affects Metro Manila there will be less chances of damage and casualty caused by billboards," he said in an interview on dzBB. Bartolome met with district directors of the Northern, Southern, Eastern, Manila and Quezon City police Saturday morning, a day after formally assuming his post. “All district directors attended the meeting. We discussed preparations for Juan," he said. Bartolome took over the Metro Manila police from Director Leocadio Santiago Jr., who faces administrative charges for the Aug. 23 Manila hostage tragedy. State weather forecasters earlier said Juan entered the Philippine area of responsibility at 1 a.m. Saturday and may make landfall over Cagayan province on Monday. — LBG, GMANews.TV