Mindanao: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed personnel to secure and manage evacuation centers across Mindanao following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Sarangani on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the PNP said police visibility has been increased in affected provinces to support local government units in crowd control and relief operations, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive for all government agencies to work together in addressing the needs of affected communities.
'A number of our kababayan were traumatized over this incident and police presence in evacuation centers and other areas are meant to make them feel that their PNP will be there to assist them whatever happens and at all cost,' PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement Tuesday.
More than 2,000 police personnel have been deployed to evacuation centers, critical installations, and affected communities as search and rescue operations continue in coordination with partner agencies, particularly Police Regional Office 12.
Evacuation efforts remain extensive, the PNP said, with 545 evacuation centers currently sheltering more than 2,400 individuals from over 500 families.
Nartatez ordered local commanders to ensure evacuation sites are ready and accessible for residents who may be displaced by aftershocks or renewed tsunami threats.
He said personnel and resources from nearby regions will serve as standby forces as the national government implements response and rehabilitation efforts.
'We want to make sure that there will be sufficient manpower and resources that will be tapped for a unified response in assisting our affected kababayan,' he said.
Police personnel were also tasked to assist in road-clearing operations to ensure the unhampered delivery of goods and services to affected communities.
Meanwhile, the PNP chief vowed to extend assistance to police personnel in Mindanao who were also affected by the earthquake.
Four police stations and two regional headquarters buildings sustained varying levels of damage due to the quake.
At least 228 uniformed personnel and 13 non-uniformed personnel have been affected and are receiving welfare assistance while structural assessments continue.
Despite widespread disruption, authorities reported that peace and order remain stable, with no major security incidents recorded.
Church leaders offer prayers
For his part, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula offered prayers and assured earthquake victims of the Catholic Church's support.
'With deep sorrow, I join our brothers and sisters in General Santos City and the surrounding communities who have been affected by the recent earthquake,' he said in a message aired over Radio Veritas on Monday.
The head of the Archdiocese of Manila also appealed to the faithful to extend assistance to affected families.
Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy likewise called on the faithful to pray for those affected by the tremor.
'Let us keep all the victims, their families, and rescue workers in our prayers,' he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Prelature of Isabela de Basilan Bishop Leo Dalmao directed parishes to hold a second collection during the Mass on Sunday for relief efforts, while the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States, said it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local partners to assess humanitarian needs in earthquake-affected areas.
