PNP to stay on heightened alert after M7.8 Mindanao earthquake

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will remain on heightened alert after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao earlier this week.

“The cancellation (of the tsunami warnings) does not remove the risk of aftershocks, which are expected after a major seismic event,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. explained in a statement on Tuesday.

“This prompted the PNP to maintain heightened alert status in evacuation centers and coastal security zones,” he noted.

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READ: Over 2,000 PNP personnel deployed for Mindanao earthquake response

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The earthquake struck 32 kilometers southwest of Maasim, Sarangani at 7:37 a.m. on Monday, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to issue tsunami warnings for several areas.

Phivolcs lifted the tsunami warning at 3:19 p.m. on Monday.

In response, the PNP placed its personnel in Minandao on heightened alert to assist in evacuation efforts and relief operations.

In the statement, Nartatez noted that more than 2,000 police officers had been deployed to evacuation centers and critical infrastructure to extend assistance.

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The police force was monitoring over 2,400 individuals or more than 500 families in 545 evacuation centers, according to the PNP chief.

“I also directed our personnel to monitor tsunami warnings or alerts so that they can act accordingly and help affected residents evacuate. Let evacuations be forced if needed,” Nartatez explained.

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“Police units have been instructed to ensure that essential needs such as safety, order, and coordination with relief agencies are maintained,” he added. /das

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HELP MINDANAO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

The Inquirer Foundation is calling for support for communities devastated by the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao.

In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, the foundation is amplifying appeals for food, clean water and other critical assistance for affected families.

Donors may send contributions directly to the Philippine Red Cross through its official transfer channels, the complete list is available on the PRC’s Facebook page.

The Philippine Red Cross has activated its emergency fund campaign and deployed teams on the ground to provide medical services, distribute relief goods and extend psychosocial support to affected families.