Phl sends 90-man contingent to aid Myanmar quake victims

The government will send a 90-man Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PHIAC) to assist local authorities in Myanmar with search, rescue, and retrieval (SRR) operations for the victims of the magnitude 7.7 earthquake in the area.

In a media interview on Monday, Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said the PHIAC will be composed of Communications and Logistics teams, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Light Teams, and Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Teams from different government agencies, the military, and the private sector.

The 90-man PHIAC consists of three personnel from the OCD; 10 from the Philippine Army (PA) 525th Engineer Combat Battalion; 11 from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) 505th Search and Rescue Group; 10 from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) - Special Rescue Unit; 10 from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA); as well as 14 search and rescue personnel from the private sector; and 32 medical personnel from the Department of Health (DOH).

Nepomuceno, who also serves as National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) chair, said the deployment of PHIAC is part of the Philippines’ commitment to the declaration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for collective response to disasters, called “One ASEAN, One Response.”

“Tinuturing nating obligasyon na makiisa sa ating mga kasamahan sa ASEAN at ito ay consistent sa sinasabi nating One ASEAN, One Response—na makikipagkaibigan natin sa mga kapit-bahay nating bansa (We consider it as our obligation to stand in solidarity with our ASEAN colleagues, and this is consistent with what we call One ASEAN, One Response—where we build friendships with our neighboring countries),” he told reporters.

Nepomuceno said the Philippine government will deploy experienced teams to support Myanmar, utilizing the lessons and strategies learned from past emergency response efforts, including those in Turkey and Syria, to provide effective assistance.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Myanmar. The Office of Civil Defense, along with other government agencies, is committed to assisting Myanmar, drawing from our experience in providing immediate aid during the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria,” he said.

Nepomuceno said the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has committed two of its C130 aircraft to operate for the deployment of PHIAC, including the transport of personnel and necessary equipment for SAR teams.

The OCD chief explained that the Myanmar government will be responsible for the tactical deployment in the area.

Nepomuceno, however, noted that the Philippine government is closely monitoring the situation of quake-hit overseas Filipinos in the area.

The deployment of the PHIAC is set for April 1. They are expected to assist in Myanmar’s SAR operations until April 12.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who also chairs the NDRRMC, conveyed his condolences to the quake victims.

“We stand in solidarity with Myanmar during this difficult time. The Philippines is ready to respond to the urgent needs of our neighbors, and we are mobilizing resources to assist as quickly as possible,” Teodoro said.

According to the OCD, the Myanmar government has requested urgent assistance, including emergency search and rescue teams (with K9 or SAR dogs), medical assistance teams, medicines, medical equipment, emergency first aid kits, mobile generators, water sanitation kits, solar-powered lights, and temporary shelters such as tents and tarpaulin sheets.

For Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, Nay Pyi Taw Airport in Myanmar will serve as the primary entry point, while Yangon Airport may be utilized as a refueling site for aircraft.

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28, which was also felt as far as China and Thailand, is considered one of the largest shakes in the past century.