THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has confirmed the conclusion of search, rescue, and retrieval (SRR) operations in areas affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu.
Authorities are now concentrating their efforts on providing relief and rehabilitation assistance to the affected communities.
“Search and retrieval operations ended last night as the search for the injured was completed,” stated PNP Regional Director Police Brigadier General Antonio Marallag Jr. during a press briefing at Camp Crame. “Our focus is now on relief and rehabilitation operations.”
The PNP has mobilized 2,250 police personnel from various units across the region to assist in disaster response, including delivering relief goods, undertaking rehabilitation work, and maintaining peace and order. Additional support units from Police Regional Office 8, the Police Negros Island Region, and other PNP offices have also been deployed.
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 established 1,025 evacuation centers within the jurisdiction of PRO-7, with three centers still housing 171 families (471 individuals) as of Thursday morning.
The PNP reported conducting 405 SRR operations, resulting in the rescue of 471 individuals. The earthquake impacted 43 barangays across the region, damaging 34 police stations, two headquarters, and six police mobility assets. Despite the damage, authorities confirmed that no barangays were completely isolated, road access remains passable, and there have been no cancellations of flights or maritime activities.
