THE Philippine National Police continues coordinated response operations following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao, as authorities maintain sustained monitoring, rescue assistance, and inter-agency coordination to ensure the safety and welfare of affected communities.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. has been continuously monitoring developments from the PNP Command Center, directing real-time validation of reports from the field and ensuring seamless coordination with concerned government agencies and local government units.
As of 1 p.m., 2,092 PNP personnel have been deployed nationwide for augmentation support, including presence in evacuation centers, security of critical installations, and assistance to affected communities. A total of 545 evacuation centers have been opened, currently accommodating over 2,400 individuals and more than 500 families receiving temporary shelter and basic assistance. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing in coordination with partner agencies, particularly in areas under Police Regional Office 12.
Transport disruptions have been recorded, including cancelled flights and suspended sea travel, with around 360 passengers stranded in airports and over 470 passengers in seaports, alongside delayed land transport operations in affected routes. One airport facility has reported minor damage and is currently undergoing technical inspection, while several roads remain passable only to light vehicles and select bridges are under safety evaluation.
Several police facilities have also been affected, with four police stations and two regional headquarters buildings reporting varying degrees of damage. A total of 228 uniformed personnel and 13 non-uniformed personnel have been affected, and appropriate welfare and assistance measures are being provided while structural assessments are ongoing.
Despite the impact of the earthquake, the overall peace and order situation remains stable, with no major security incidents reported. Police visibility and assistance operations continue in evacuation areas to support local government units and ensure the safety of affected residents
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. assured the public of the organization’s continued presence and readiness on the ground.
“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,” he said.
The ongoing operations are aligned with the PNP Focused Agenda under Enhanced Managing Police Operations, ensuring unified command, rapid deployment, and efficient coordination across all units responding to the situation. This approach reinforces the organization’s commitment to timely and organized disaster response.
As assessments and humanitarian operations continue, the PNP urges the public to remain calm, stay informed through official channels, and avoid sharing unverified reports that may cause confusion. Additional updates will be released as validated information becomes available from field units.
The Philippine National Police reaffirms its commitment to serve and protect the Filipino people during this critical time, standing firmly with the national government under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the public it serves, guided by the principle of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.”
(PNP-PIO)
