Cebu: A total of 100 police and fire personnel from the Negros Island Region (NIR) have been deployed to Cebu province to assist in search and rescue operations following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck on Tuesday night.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Police Regional Office-NIR has sent 80 policemen, with 41 from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office and 39 from the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office. PRO-NIR Director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay praised the deployed personnel for their dedication in saving lives and ensuring public safety. He emphasized the importance of extending manpower, compassion, and solidarity to the affected communities. The personnel involved are trained in disaster response and will stay in the area for one to two weeks to support ongoing operations.

In addition to the police force, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-NIR has sent a 20-member special rescue team to assist with collapsed structure operations. These rescuers are from the BFP-NIR regional office and various fire stations in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, and Negros Oriental. Senior Supt. Gweenah Besas stated that the BFP-NIR personnel would remain on site until the operations conclude.

As of Thursday morning, reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council indicate that the earthquake has resulted in 72 fatalities, all from Central Visayas.