The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed more than 2,000 personnel to support rescue, evacuation, security, and disaster response operations following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. monitored the situation from the PNP Command Center and ordered the real-time validation of field reports, as police units coordinated with local governments and other response agencies.
As of 1 p.m., the PNP said 2,092 personnel had been deployed for augmentation support, including police presence in evacuation centers, security assistance for critical installations, and support for affected communities.
Authorities have opened 545 evacuation centers, which are now accommodating more than 2,400 individuals or over 500 families.
Search and rescue operations remain underway with partner agencies, particularly in areas covered by Police Regional Office 12.
Transport disruptions were also reported after the quake. Around 360 passengers were stranded in airports and more than 470 others in seaports due to canceled flights and suspended sea travel. Some land transport operations were also delayed along affected routes.
The PNP said one airport facility sustained minor damage and was undergoing technical inspection. Several roads remained passable only to light vehicles, while some bridges were still being evaluated for safety.
Police facilities were also affected, with four police stations and two regional headquarters buildings reporting varying degrees of damage. The PNP said 228 uniformed personnel and 13 non-uniformed personnel were also affected, with welfare and assistance measures being provided.
Despite the damage and disruptions, the PNP said the peace and order situation remained stable, with no major security incident reported.
“Nandito ang PNP para sa mabilis at maayos na pagtugon. We are closely coordinating with all concerned agencies to ensure that help reaches our people as quickly as possible. Huwag po tayong mangamba, tuloy-tuloy ang ating monitoring at assistance operations,” Nartatez said.
The PNP said police visibility and assistance operations will continue in evacuation areas and affected communities while assessments and humanitarian response efforts are ongoing.
The agency urged the public to remain calm, monitor official advisories, and avoid sharing unverified reports that may cause confusion or panic.