MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde has ordered an inspection and assessment of police stations and other facilities in Metro Manila and Central Luzon after the magnitude 6.1 earthquake on Monday.
A statement from the PNP on Tuesday said Albayalde has directed Brigadier General Elmer Cabreros, director of PNP Engineering Service, to lead an immediate inspection of the facilities in the said regions.
The PNP said the move aims to “determine their (facilities) structural integrity, safety, and fitness for use by PNP personnel and the public availing of police services.”
Albayalde also emphasized the need to secure detention cells to ensure that no suspects under custody will be able to escape.
Meanwhile, Jail Chief Superintendent Allan Iral, officer in charge at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, also directed the regional directors of Metro Manila and Central Luzon to conduct post-earthquake assessment of jail facilities managed by the agency.
Eleven casualties have so far been reported in Pampanga.
READ: Earthquake death toll in Pampanga climbs to 11
The Central Luzon police has earlier activated its Disaster Incident Management Task Group and has deployed mobile force personnel in areas hardest hit by the earthquake for search, rescue, and clearing operations.
Vehicles from the PNP national headquarters and the National Capital Region Police Office were deployed Monday night to help transport stranded commuters in the metropolis. /gsg