Nartatez Orders Immediate Structural Inspections of Police Facilities
In the wake of the magnitude 7.4 offshore earthquake near Davao Oriental and the subsequent 6.8 aftershock, Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), directed a comprehensive structural integrity check of all police stations and related infrastructure. The move aims to ensure the safety of personnel and the continuity of public security operations in Mindanao’s affected areas.
Leadership and Operational Coordination
The PNP has activated its engineering service as the lead unit for inspections. According to Nartatez, the directives have already been conveyed to the directors of the Davao and Caraga regional police offices. The region’s command centers were instructed to submit detailed reports to compile a consolidated situation update for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
What Is Being Inspected
Inspections cover police stations, headquarters, and other critical infrastructure. Inspectors are assessing structural integrity, including foundations, walls, roofs, and load-bearing components, to identify cracks, settlement, or other damage that could compromise safety or delay emergency responses. In addition to physical structures, authorities are checking communications equipment, vehicles, and other operational assets that may have sustained impacts from the earthquakes.
Rationale Behind the Checks
PNP officials stress that the safety of frontline officers is paramount. The inspections are designed to verify that facilities can continue to support rescue operations, evacuations, and security missions without risking personnel exposure to hazard or equipment failure. By ensuring robust infrastructure, the PNP aims to maintain an effective presence in disaster-affected communities, deter crime, and facilitate rapid relief efforts.
Maintaining Public Safety and Visible Presence
Beyond structural assessments, Nartatez emphasized the importance of visibility patrols in evacuation centers and heavily affected communities. He urged commanders to keep patrols active to deter looting and criminal activity while relief operations are underway. The public safety priority remains clear: protect communities, support evacuations, and uphold law and order during the crisis and recovery phases.
How Local Communities Can Respond
Officials called on residents to stay calm, follow guidance from authorities, and report any unsafe conditions or damage to police or local disaster response teams. Spreading verified information helps prevent panic and misinformation that could hinder relief efforts. The PNP also opened lines of coordination with regional disaster agencies to ensure a synchronized response across Mindanao.
Looking Ahead
As assessments progress, the PNP plans to relay ongoing findings to the NDRRMC and relevant regional authorities. The aim is to rapidly address any vulnerabilities uncovered during inspections and to reinforce security, safety, and order in the affected areas. Nartatez acknowledged the tireless work of personnel on the ground and reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining an effective policing presence throughout Mindanao.
Public safety and order remain the guiding priorities as Mindanao recovers from the earthquake events. The PNP will continue to monitor structural conditions, protect disaster responders, and support communities in rebuilding their lives with a steady, safety-forward approach.
