PNP lends hand in quake-hit areas

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday disclosed that available police units in Regions 11 and 12 will aid in the search, rescue and rehabilitation efforts in earthquake-hit Davao del Sur.

According to PLt. Gen. Camilo Cascolan, the police’s logistics command in Region 11 specifically tasked to help inspect buildings which has sustained structural damages during last Sunday’s magnitude-6.9 temblors.

Those deemed unsafe to be inhabited may be ordered closed or condemned.

“Region 12 Director (PGen. Arnold) Corpus and Region 11 Director (PBGen. Filmore Escobal, I have directed them to reactivate their crisis incident management committees. So that we will be able to respond on what’s going to happen next in this natural disaster,” Cascolan said in a press briefing in Camp Crame.

“Say, for example in Padada. A 3-storey building collapsed there. We already have a response team there. The Region 12 director was instructed to send response teams. Even Compostela Valley and neighboring provinces were also instructed to prepare their response teams, so that we won’t have to look for responders from Luzon. Because even here, up to now, we are also anticipating any eventuality which I hope does not happen,” he added.

Seven public structures around Davao del Sur were totally destroyed from the total of 36 hit by the earthquake.

Meanwhile, the latest death toll from the weekend quake is now at seven, while 87 sustained injuries, according to the latest situation report released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Of the fatalities, one was reported in Matanao, one in Magsaysay, one in Hagonoy, one in Bansalan and three in Padada.

Around 1,951 families, or 9,755 individuals, have been displaced by the quake and most of them are temporarily being sheltered in evacuation centers in the Digos City and Bansalan and Sta. Cruz towns.