Breaking the Silence After Typhoons in Leyte

Posted on Jan. 11, 2026 at 11:17 pm

TACLOBAN CITY — For many communities in Leyte, the danger does not end when a storm passes.

After the winds calm and the rain stops, another problem often takes over—loss of communication. Power lines are down, cell sites are damaged, and families are left without any way to call for help. For responders, this silence makes it hard to know where help is needed most.

The Leyte Police Office (LPO) said this communication breakdown remains the biggest challenge whenever disasters hit the province.

Leyte, located along the eastern part of the Visayas, has a population of about 1.78 million, not including Tacloban City. With Tacloban’s more than 250,000 residents, nearly two million people live on the island. The province has 40 municipalities and two component cities, many of which are coastal or in low-lying areas that are prone to typhoons, floods, storm surges, and landslides.

These risks have been felt repeatedly over the years.

In December 2021, Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) struck Leyte and caused massive damage. Homes, roads, and public facilities were destroyed. In towns such as Matalom, up to 90 percent of properties were damaged. Power outages lasted for days, communication services were disrupted, and residents struggled to access clean water and basic needs. Local officials had difficulty coordinating relief efforts because information from affected areas was limited.

Not long after, Tropical Storm Agaton brought several days of heavy rain, triggering floods and landslides in different parts of the province. The storm caused deaths and destroyed homes and farmlands. In 2025, Typhoon Tino, internationally known as Kalmaegi, again flooded parts of Leyte, forcing evacuations, damaging houses and trees, and resulting in at least one reported fatality.

Each disaster pointed to the same problem: when communication fails, response is delayed.

Police Provincial Director PCol. Dionisio DC Apas Jr. said this is an issue they are now directly addressing.

“We discovered some gaps. The most significant gap during a typhoon is communication, and that is what we are working to address,” Col. Apas said.

To help solve this, the Leyte Police Office has equipped almost all police stations in the province with Starlink satellite internet and backup generators. This allows police stations to continue operating even when electricity and mobile networks are down, and to stay connected with local government units (LGUs) and disaster response teams.

“We can say that we are very proud that almost all of our stations in the province of Leyte are equipped with Starlink,” Col. Apas said.

With satellite internet in place, police stations can immediately send situation reports, request rescue operations, medical assistance, and supplies, and stay in contact with provincial headquarters and partner agencies without waiting for cell service to be restored.

However, Col. Apas stressed that preparedness is not only about equipment.

He said a strong disaster response also depends on police officers who know the communities they serve. Through the Police sa Barangay program, officers are assigned specific areas where they serve as the main contact between residents and authorities during emergencies, especially in remote and high-risk communities. With stable communication and power, these officers are able to stay connected even during disasters.

The approach has also improved regular police work. Col. Apas said Leyte now has the ideal number of police personnel across all categories, ensuring that no municipal police station is understaffed. During the 2025 Christmas season, the province recorded fewer crime incidents and firecracker-related injuries, which he attributed to better deployment and increased police visibility.

Improved communication has also helped maintain fast response times. Despite difficult terrain and post-storm conditions, the Leyte Police Office continues to record an average response time of three to five minutes. This is supported by regular disaster simulation exercises at the provincial and regional levels.

Support from local government units has been crucial in sustaining these efforts.

“We thank the local officials so much for their support, especially when it comes to fuel allocations, because that becomes a real problem when we need to respond immediately,” Col. Apas said.

From satellite internet that keeps police stations connected during disasters to digital mapping that helps officers position themselves in accident-prone areas, the Leyte Police Office continues to strengthen its emergency response.

In a province where typhoons are a regular threat, the focus has shifted. The goal is no longer just to endure the storm, but to make sure help reaches affected communities as quickly as possible once it is over.

(Photo courtesy: Leyte Police Provincial Office)