BACOLOD City – The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has deployed 80 disaster-trained personnel to Cebu to reinforce search, rescue, and humanitarian operations following the devastating earthquake that struck the province and nearby areas.
A send-off ceremony was held on October 1, 2025, led by PRO-NIR officials including Colonel Dennis A. Esguerra (acting deputy regional director for administration), Colonel Lito E. Patay (officer-in-charge deputy regional director for operations), Colonel Gilbert T. Gorero (acting chief of the regional staff), and Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOcPPO) director Colonel Dennis C. Wenceslao, alongside other regional staff and NOcPPO officers.
The augmentation team is composed of 41 personnel from NOcPPO and 39 from the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO). They are equipped with specialized gear to assist in life-saving missions, evacuation, and humanitarian efforts in quake-hit communities.
“This deployment reflects the true spirit of bayanihan. By augmenting PRO-7, we extend not only our manpower but also our compassion and solidarity to earthquake-affected communities. I commend our personnel for their courage and professionalism as they carry out this vital mission,” said PRO-NIR director Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay.
PRO-NIR emphasized that the personnel selected are trained for disaster response and will stay in Cebu for an initial duration of one to two weeks.
The mission underscored the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) commitment beyond law enforcement — standing in unity with communities in times of crisis to save lives, extend compassion, and help rebuild stronger. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
