MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) assured the public that its service remained uninterrupted in the Eastern Visayas region after it was struck by a magnitude 6.0 earthquake.
“I have directed PRO 8 (Police Regional Office Eastern Visayas) to assess if there is major damage to our police facilities,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement on Tuesday.
“But, rest assured that we have contingency measures in place, including backup communication systems and mobile deployment, to ensure uninterrupted police service,” he stressed.
READ: Damage reported across Eastern Visayas after magnitude 6.0 earthquake
The top cop further noted that PRO 8 personnel have been deployed to help in clearing operations, safety inspections and the distribution of relief goods to the affected communities.
“Our priority is to secure communities, prevent opportunistic crimes, and support evacuation and rescue efforts where needed,” Nartatez added.
The magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck nine kilometers northwest of San Julian, Eastern Samar on Monday afternoon, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
The strongest instrumental intensity recorded from the tremor was Intensity V (Strong) at Can-Avid in Eastern Samar; Dulag and Alangalang in Leyte; and Gandara, Samar, Phivolcs further noted. /mr
