NO MAJOR crimes were recorded in four areas in Cebu province following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit the island on September 30.
In a phone interview on Monday, October 6, 2025, Central Visayas Police Director Brigadier General Red Maranan said zero “focus crimes” was recorded in Bogo City and the municipalities of San Remegio, Medellin and Daanbantayan from October 1 to 5.
Focus crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft and carnapping.
“Namaintain natin ‘yung peace and order doon sa mga hard-hit areas sapagkat maaga ang deployment. Right after nung pagtama nung lindol, nandun na ‘yung mga kapulisan natin. Nandun na rin ‘yung BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection) at saka AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and up to now, more than 1,500 pa ‘yung pulis natin na nandun na nagbabantay,” said Maranan.
(We were able to maintain peace and order in the hard-hit areas because of the early deployment. Right after the earthquake struck, our police were already there, along with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Up to now, more than 1,500 police officers remain on the ground to maintain security.)
“Kasama nga sa binabantayan natin yung iba’t-ibang mga collapsed structures, mga damaged houses nang sa ganun hindi ito mapagsamantalahan at tayo naman ay natutuwa sapagkat ‘yung mga Cebuano, lalong-lalo doon sa northern part, kung saan greatly affected ng lindol, ay talagang nakikipag-cooperate sa ating mga security measures,” he added.
(We are also closely monitoring the various collapsed structures and damaged houses to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the situation. We’re glad to see that the Cebuanos, especially those in the northern part who were greatly affected by the earthquake, are fully cooperating with our security measures.)
In a press conference, Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. lauded the “peace-loving” Cebuanos.
“The result is they are organized and the rescue and the actual rehab now being put in the northern part of Cebu and the entire Cebu into normalcy. In fact, one commendable thing is nandun na rin sa mga kababayan natin na ang talagang mga Pilipino mga peace-loving, lalong-lalo na sa Cebu, zero recorded crimes,” said Nartatez.
Nartatez commended police personnel for the maintenance of peace and order in the earthquake-hit areas in Cebu, as well in facilitating the distribution of relief goods to more affected residents and communities that resulted in the “gradual restoration of normalcy” in the entire province.
“The quick response and continuous hard work of our personnel on the ground did not only pave the way for government assistance reaching more affected communities especially in the northern part of Cebu but also resulted in gradual restoration of normalcy in the entire province,” he said.
He also assured continuous coordination for smooth response to the affected residents.
“We are coordinating with the local government units, particularly the Provincial Government of Cebu, to map out ways to facilitate and expedite the distribution of assistance down to the farthest affected barangays,” said Nartatez.
“We recognize the urgency of the situation and in response, we have already redirected our personnel on the ground to relief distribution -- from clearing the roads and providing security to the transportation and distribution,” he added.
Earlier, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro instructed the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to accompany local officials in the distribution of relief packs to ensure that the assistance will reach all barangays.
Aside from security and transportation, Nartatez said police forces on the ground are also stepping up police visibility on the roads to help in traffic management as part of the ways to prioritize the transport of relief items and other forms of assistance.
He said a sufficient number of personnel are also on standby, including several mobility assets that include personnel and resources from the PNP Maritime Group. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)