Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered the immediate inspection of police stations and the accounting of personnel in areas affected by the magnitude 6.4 earthquake that struck off Sarangani.

Nartatez directed affected police regional offices, provincial police offices and municipal police stations to immediately account for all personnel and inspect police facilities for possible damage.

He also ordered the deployment of additional personnel to assist local government units, the Office of Civil Defense and other responding agencies in damage assessment and humanitarian assistance, if necessary.

The directive was issued in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s instructions, through the guidance of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to ensure uninterrupted public safety and police services during emergencies.

"We have directed all affected police units to immediately account for personnel and inspect police facilities. Initial reports indicate that our stations remain operational, but we will continue validating the situation to ensure uninterrupted police services," Nartatez said.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck at 12:13 p.m. on 5 August, with its epicenter located 29 kilometers southwest of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, at a depth of 13 kilometers.

The strongest shaking, Intensity V, was recorded in Glan, Sarangani, while Intensity IV was reported in parts of Sarangani, South Cotabato and General Santos City.

"Our personnel will assist local government units and disaster response agencies in damage assessment, public safety and emergency response. We are also ready to provide security, traffic management and humanitarian assistance whenever needed," Nartatez said.