Police mobilizes units to assist in quake-hit provinces

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that it has mobilized its units in provinces affected by the magnitude 6.8 earthquake which hit the Negros-Cebu area Monday morning.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said that all police resources and personnel in Central and Western Visayas will be mobilized for disaster response and mitigation efforts in Negros Oriental and Cebu.

He said that he has also directed Region 7 Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo and Region 6 Chief Superintendent Cipriano Querol Jr. to ensure that their units roll out effective information and mass communication systems on tsunami alerts with the local government units, regional disaster risk reduction and management council.

Meanwhile, other police units have been placed on standby for possible augmentation to affected provinces.