The Philippine National Police (PNP) has placed Police Regional Offices (PRO) 11 and 13, covering Davao and Caraga, on full alert status following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck off the coast of Davao Oriental late Thursday night.

In a press briefing on Friday at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson P/BGen. Randulf Tuaño said police units in the two regions were immediately mobilized for humanitarian assistance, rescue operations, and to secure areas affected by the quake.

“The two regions—Davao and Caraga—are on full alert. Region 11 had signal issues, which caused delays in the situation report, while Caraga was able to submit theirs more quickly,” Tuaño said in Filipino.

Initial damage reports included the temporary closure of the Magsaysay Bridge in Butuan City due to structural damage, and power outages in parts of the Caraga region, according to information from regional police.

In Davao del Norte, the Panabo City Police Station sustained damage to its water tank, while a perimeter fence at the Talaingod Municipal Police Station was also reported damaged.

So far, the PNP has not released the number of police officers deployed or stations affected, pending completion of ongoing assessments.

Tuaño said classes across the Davao Region were suspended as a precaution, and police have activated “Oplan Kalsada” to assist commuters and ensure road safety.

The Davao police have also begun offering free rides and deployed drones to assess the extent of the damage in affected areas.

“Our personnel are ready to provide security in evacuation centers and assist in rescue and relief operations,” Tuaño assured.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier issued an advisory urging forced evacuations in coastal areas following a tsunami warning triggered by the offshore earthquake.

Residents in low-lying coastal areas of Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Davao Oriental were strongly advised to move to higher ground or farther inland.

Local Chief Executives (LCEs) were directed to implement critical preparedness measures, including evacuation protocols and tightened security in potentially affected communities.

“Our acting PNP chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., has urged all affected regions to heighten their security measures,” Tuaño added.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued an advisory on forced evacuation and precautionary measures following a tsunami warning due to the offshore quake.

The PNP reminded all concerned Local Chief Executives (LCEs) to prepare for the potential threat and to implement all necessary critical preparedness measures.