Gamboa starts PNP donation drive for Mindanao quake victims

MANILA, Philippines — Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police (PNP), announced Monday that he’s initiating a donation drive for the earthquake victims in Mindanao.

Gamboa said a policeman or PNP personnel can donate at least P10 for the cause. PNP consists of around 190,000 police officers and staff.

“But I am encouraging everyone to donate some more for the victims doon sa earthquake natin sa (of the earthquake in) Mindanao particularly in Regions 10, 11, and 12,” he said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Some 77 police officers from Soccsksargen were also affected by the earthquakes, according to Gamboa. He said he has yet to receive information on the number of policemen affected by the tremors in nearby regions.

He said PNP will also extend aid to its affected members.

“As a matter of fact, I required all financial institutions to offer them [help], pwede din siguro ‘yung zero-interest loans [maybe zero-interest loans will also do], especially sa [in the] repair ng [of] houses, and soft loans for them,” he said.

PNP units in Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen fielded 2,756 personnel for search, rescue, and relief operations in quake-hit areas, including in 30 evacuation centers currently housing some 29,000 persons, according to Gamboa.

He added that field units of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group also support the Department of Trade and Industry and local government units in implementing a price freeze on basic commodities in areas under state of calamity pursuant of the Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act.

Officials said at least 23 people have died from the series of earthquakes that struck Mindanao in October. The region was first hit by a 6.3-magnitude quake on October 16. This was followed by 6.6-magnitude temblor on October 29, and another on October 31 at 6.5-magnitude. /kga