PNP orders personnel, facility check after strong quake hits some Mindanao areas anew
Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered all police commanders in areas jolted by the 6.4 magnitude quake to check on the status of their personnel and facilities.
At the same time, Nartatez tasked chiefs of police and unit commanders to ensure the availability of sufficient numbers of personnel and resources for disaster response in areas affected by the effects of heavy rains that were triggered by tropical storm “Maymay” and two other weather disturbances.
A magnitude 6.4. struck at 12:13 p.m. on Aug. 5 with its epicenter located 29 kilometers southwest of Sarangani, Davao Occidental at a depth of 13 kilometers, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
The strongest shaking, Intensity V, was recorded in Glan, Sarangani. Intensity IV was reported in parts of Sarangani, South Cotabato, and General Santos City.
Nartatez said he instructed the deployment of additional personnel to assist local government units, the Office of Civil Defense, and other responding agencies in damage assessment and humanitarian assistance when necessary.
“We have directed all affected police units to immediately account for personnel and inspect police facilities. Initial reports indicate that our stations remain operational but we will continue validating the situation to ensure uninterrupted police services,” Nartatez said.
“Our personnel will assist local government units and disaster response agencies in damage assessment, public safety, and emergency response. We are also ready to provide security, traffic management, and humanitarian assistance whenever needed,” he added.