The Philippine National Police has mobilized its full resources to assist communities in Cebu and other parts of Visayas after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck late Tuesday night, resulting in fatalities, power outages and widespread structural damage.
PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Wednesday he ordered Police Regional Office 7 to activate its Disaster Incident Management Task Group, account for all deployed personnel, and conduct rapid damage assessments.
‘Our men and women in uniform are on the ground securing affected areas, assisting evacuations, and ensuring public order as we continue to assess the full extent of the damage,’ Nartatez said.
Initial reports confirmed structural damage in several areas, including a fire at SM Consolacion, a collapsed tunnel in Mambaling, damage to commercial establishments in Cebu City and the collapse of a church in Daanbantayan.
Power outages were also reported in Talisay City, Bogo, Danao, Toledo and other northern municipalities.
Nartatez said police are working closely with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, local governments and other agencies to coordinate relief and security efforts.
Additional police resources from neighboring regions are on standby for deployment.
‘The PNP is working in lockstep with all agencies concerned under the guidance of the president,’ he said.