MANILA, July 19 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Saturday it has deployed 1,606 police officers to provide help in coastal communities and other areas prone to landslides and flash floods amid the threats posed by the combined effects of the southwest monsoon and Severe Tropical Storm Crising.

In a message sent to reporters, PNP Information Chief, Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuano, said the deployed personnel came from the Police Regional Offices (PROs) in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Cordillera, Metro Manila, and Negros Island, while 4,307 Reactionary Standby Support Force members remain on standby for possible deployment, if necessary.

He added that 13,715 evacuation centers have been identif...