PRO-7, six stations damaged

CEBU, Philippines - Six police stations and the regional police office in Central Visayas sustained cracks and other damage during the 7.1-magnitude earthquake last Tuesday, said Regional Intelligence Division-7 chief Pablo Labra II.

These were the police stations of Fuente and Pardo in Cebu City; Basak in Mandaue City; Trinidad, Looc, and Danao in Bohol; and the Police Regional Office-7 headquarters along Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City.

“As per monitoring nato dinhi sa RID, these police stations are damaged, although not major damages,” Labra said.

Cracks were seen in the walls of the buildings where Labra maintains office and the media center. Part of the ceiling of the main PRO-7 building was detached because of the quake.

PRO-7’s conference hall has also been closed since Tuesday due to cracks in the wall and the significant damage to its comfort room.

However, Labra emphasized that although the damage in all affected police stations and office were minimal, police operations were not halted.

For now, he said they are waiting for structural engineers to assess the extent of the damage and the possible recommendations.

Shortly after the earthquake struck Cebu and Bohol, PRO-7 director Danilo Constantino raised a full alert status in the entire Central Visayas.

Labra said they also sent over 3,700 police personnel to assist in the search and rescue operations in Bohol, which was most affected by the quake.

Nearly 200 search and rescue personnel were also sent into devastated areas in Cebu; 117 of them deployed to Pinamungajan town where a stampede claimed the life of a four-year-old boy, and over 50 of them were deployed to Pasil, Cebu City, where five persons died after debris fell on them.

With the status raised, Labra said no policeman will be allowed to take leave of absence and will only be pulled out from their assigned areas once the search and rescue operation end their search for missing persons.  (FREEMAN)