PH team arrives in Myanmar for quake response, relief mission

The first batch of the Philippine humanitarian contingent for earthquake-hit Myanmar arrived Tuesday afternoon at the capital of Naypyidaw, seeking to provide disaster response and aid to residents affected by the calamity.

In a Facebook post, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said, "Matapos mag-refuel sa Phitsanulok Airport sa Thailand, nakalapag na sa Nai Pi Taw Airport sa Myanmar ang dalawang C-130 planes lulan ang unang batch ng Philippine Inter-agency Humanitarian Contingent na magsasagawa ng medical at search and rescue mission sa mga nasalanta ng 7.7 magnitude na lindol sa bansang Myanmar."

(After refueling at Phitsanulok Airport in Thailand, the two C-130 planes carrying the first batch of the Philippine Inter-agency Humanitarian Contingent have landed at Nai Pi Taw Airport in Myanmar to conduct medical and search and rescue missions to those affected by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar.)

Of the 91 members of the Philippine contingent, 58 were flown onboard two C-130 planes from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City in the Philippines at about 4 a.m.

"Two C-130 aircraft transported the initial 58 contingent members for their two-week deployment to Myanmar, with the remaining 33 members scheduled for transport by a single C-130 aircraft on April 2, 2025," the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said in a statement.

The contingent, headed by Lieutenant Colonel Erwen S. Diploma, consists of urban search and rescue teams from the following groups:

• Philippine Army
• Philippine Air Force
• Bureau of Fire Protection
• Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources
• Private Sector (EDC and APEX Mining)

A medical assistance team from the Department of Health (DOH) and OCD coordinators were also part of the Philippine contingent.

"Bringing with them essential search and rescue equipment and medical supplies, these personnel are ready to perform life-saving operations, provide medical assistance, and deliver critical aid throughout the mission," PAF said.

Further, 40 PAF personnel are also part of the mission as C-130 air crew, aeromedical personnel, and aircraft security.

The death toll in Myanmar following the magnitude-7.7 earthquake on March 28 has exceeded 2,000, according to state media. More than 3,900 were injured and at least 270 were missing.

Four Filipinos remained unaccounted as of posting time. — VDV, GMA Integrated News