Bogo: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday expressed readiness to ensure the safety and security of communities located near the Bogo Bay Fault in northern Cebu following a recommendation from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to avoid building any permanent structure within a five-meter radius from either side of the fault trace.
According to Philippines News Agency, the five-meter zone of avoidance refers to a safety zone meant to prevent construction and settlement directly on or too close to the fault line, which could move or rupture during an earthquake.
In a statement, PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said this is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to the PNP, through Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to strengthen disaster preparedness, minimize disaster risks, and protect vulnerable communities.
'I have directed our regional and local police units, particularly in Central Visayas, to immediately coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management councils and implement proactive safety measures. Our police stations in Bogo City and neighboring areas have been tasked to assist in information dissemination, patrol vulnerable communities, and help local authorities enforce safety perimeters within the 5-meter zone of avoidance,' said Nartatez.
To ensure smooth coordination and efficient response, the PNP is working hand-in-hand with Phivolcs and other government agencies in conducting community mapping, evacuation planning, and enforcement of safety measures for the 5-meter buffer zone.
As part of its proactive measures, Nartatez also ordered the deployment of mobile patrols in high-risk areas to deter illegal construction, monitor compliance with safety regulations, and maintain peace and order within the zone of avoidance. 'Our role is to provide security, maintain public order during any evacuation or clearing operations, and support the enforcement of the recommended safety buffer,' he said.
Police units have also been instructed to remain visible in affected barangays, provide guidance to residents, and assist in local risk communication campaigns to prevent panic or misinformation.
'Disasters may test our strength, but they also reveal our unity. The PNP will always be where duty calls, protecting every Filipino family and proving that true service means standing firm, especially when the ground beneath us shakes,' Nartatez said.
