Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Mandatory evacuation from a landslide-prone area in Burgos, Ilocos Sur. Photo: MDRRMC Burgos Ilocos Sur

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762672385495viber_image_2025-11-09_15-09-41-701.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Mandatory evacuation from a landslide-prone area in Burgos, Ilocos Sur. Photo: MDRRMC Burgos Ilocos Sur"/>Mandatory evacuation from a landslide-prone area in Burgos, Ilocos Sur. Photo: MDRRMC Burgos Ilocos Sur</div>MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. urged the public on Sunday to follow preemptive evacuation measures, as Super Typhoon Uwan barreled through the Bicol Region.In making his appeal, Teodoro cited reports of people refusing to leave their homes despite calls for preemptive evacuation.&quot;Kaya magkakaroon ng forced evacuation sa iba-ibang lugar na kakayanin pa,&quot; he said.(That is why we will implement forced evacuation in places that we can still reach)He appealed to the public to follow evacuation orders so they will not have to be rescued when the situation worsens.Teodoro said refusing to follow preemptive evacuation measures will put the lives of not just residents, but the rescuers at risk..He also warned of possible consequences, should residents refuse to follow forced evacuation orders. &quot;Ito po ay labag sa batas at disobedience to a person in authority. Ayaw po natin umabot sa ganun dahil buhay po ang ating ipinagtatanggol dito,&quot; he said.(That would be against the law and disobedience to a person in authority. We don&#x27;t want things to get to that point, especially since we are trying to keep lives safe)<div> </div><div>MORE THAN 900,000 EVACUATED FROM HOMES</div>The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said over 900,000 individuals or more than 270,00 families have been evacuated preemptively as of 11 a.m. on Sunday.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/11/9/residents-evacuated-in-isabela-ilocos-due-to-uwan-1358">READ: Residents evacuated in Isabela, Ilocos due to &#x27;Uwan&#x27; </a></div>Around 522 evacuation centers are being used in various parts of the country.  The OCD has also received reports of power and signal outages in parts of the Bicol Region, as well as Eastern Visayas.Teodoro, who is also the chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, visited the Lead Joint Information Center for Coordinated Crisis Response.Under Teodoro&#x27;s directibe, the new Joint Information Center will be established on November 9, Sunday &quot;to enhance coordination and communication during critical situations.&quot;<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/9/gov-t-work-classes-suspended-in-several-regions-due-to-uwan-1116">READ: Gov’t work, classes suspended in several regions due to &#x27;Uwan&#x27; </a></div>Key agencies including the OCD, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Coast Guard are part of the JIC.OCD Deputy Administrator for Administration Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV will lead the initiative &quot;to ensure unified and efficient public information management during emergencies.&quot;

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. urged the public on Sunday to follow preemptive evacuation measures, as Super Typhoon Uwan barreled through the Bicol Region.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. urged the public on Sunday to follow preemptive evacuation measures, as Super Typhoon Uwan barreled through the Bicol Region.

Defense chief: Evacuation now better than calling for rescue later

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Defense chief: Evacuation now better than calling for rescue later

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 09, 2025 03:21 PM PHT

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Updated November 09, 2025 05:50 PM PHT

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Department of National Defense

UwanPH

Uwan

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Gilberto Teodoro Jr

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