PNP: Search, rescue ops end in earthquake-hit Cebu

The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed Thursday that search, rescue, and retrieval (SRR) operations have concluded in areas hit by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu, with authorities now shifting their full focus to relief and rehabilitation efforts for affected communities.

“Tinigil ang search and retrieval operations kagabi sapagkat natapos na ang paghahanap sa mga na-injured,” PNP Regional Director Police Brigadier General Antonio Marallag Jr. said during a press briefing at Camp Crame.

“Kaya ang concentration po natin ay relief and rehab operations na lang po.”

(Search and retrieval operations ended last night as the search for the injured was completed. Our focus is now on relief and rehabilitation operations.)

The PNP reported that 2,250 police personnel from various units have been mobilized across the region to assist in disaster response, including the delivery of relief goods, rehabilitation work, and maintaining peace and order in quake-hit communities.

Additional support units from Police Regional Office 8, the Police Negros Island Region, and other PNP offices were also deployed to augment the operations.

As part of the response, 540 personnel from Reactionary Standby Support Forces were dispatched, with 312 from PRO-7, 116 from PRO-8, and 112 from the Negros Island Region, according to Marallag.

Authorities also established 1,025 evacuation centers, all within the jurisdiction of PRO-7, with three centers still occupied as of Thursday morning, housing 171 families or 471 individuals displaced by the quake.

The PNP reported conducting 405 SRR operations, resulting in the successful rescue of 471 individuals.

“This prompt deployment of personnel and technical teams has been crucial in saving lives and minimizing further casualties,” Marallag noted.

The powerful tremor impacted 43 barangays across the region, damaging 34 police stations, two headquarters, and six police mobility assets. Despite the infrastructure damage, authorities said no barangays were completely isolated, road access remains passable, and no cancellations in flights or maritime activities were reported.

Marallag added that 36 uniformed and one non-uniformed personnel were directly affected, most sustaining damage to their homes.

“Mayroon tayong initial na tulong na ibinigay sa mga personnel natin para hindi ma-disrupt ang tulong sa komunidad,” he said.

(We have provided initial assistance to our personnel so that the support for affected communities will not be disrupted.)

The PNP is now coordinating with civil engineers and experts from the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers to conduct a comprehensive damage assessment of affected police facilities, including stations, headquarters, and mobility assets, starting October 3.

Despite the scale of the disaster, authorities said no incidents of looting or gender-based violence were recorded in affected areas.

“The PNP maintains a strong presence to ensure law and order and to prevent any opportunistic crimes during the recovery period,” Marallag emphasized.

With SRR operations complete and relief work ramping up, Marallag assured the public that all PNP personnel in affected areas remain on full alert. “Ang ibig sabihin po ng naka-full alert ay 100% ng PNP personnel ay naka-duty po sa ngayon,” he said.

(Being on full alert means that 100% of PNP personnel are currently on duty.)

The PNP vowed to continue working with local authorities and other government agencies to speed up recovery, restore normalcy, and ensure the safety and security of communities affected by the earthquake.

Earthquake death toll

The death toll from the devastating Cebu earthquake has risen to 72, according to the latest figures from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) released on Thursday morning.

The NDRRMC said all casualties are still for validation.

The magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bogo City, Cebu on Tuesday has affected 47,221 families, or 170,959, and displaced 20,000 persons, according to their data.

Aftershocks also continue to be felt in the province with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reporting 2,461 of them as of 6 a.m. on Thursday. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News