PH alerts Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia for Cebu earthquake rescue—OCD

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Wednesday said Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia have been alerted in case the Philippines would need their help for the rescue of victims after the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu. 

“We have asked our neighboring countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia na in the event na kailangan natin ng international rescue team ay na-alert na natin,” OCD officer-in-charge Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said in a press conference.

(We have asked our neighboring countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia that in the event that we need an international rescue team.)

“So once the assessment is done at kailangan talaga, they can immediately come in,” he added.

(So once the assessment is done and we really need them, they can immediately come in.)

For now, Alejandro said personnel from unaffected local governments as well as uniformed personnel are instructed to help in the search and rescue operations.

At least 60 people have been reported dead while 147 others have been reported injured due to the earthquake as of Wednesday morning.

A total of 1,000 people have evacuated in Bogo City alone, where the epicenter of the earthquake was located.

Alejandro believed that responders still have “golden hours” to save more victims under the rubble. 

“Ang ating principle na sinusunod in kapag ganito po is the golden hour principle which is 24 hours. Actually, it can go beyond 24 hours. That's why we're mobilizing 'yung trained talaga kasi hindi biro po magtanggal ng mga debris. Kung hindi ka marunong, it might lead to more casualties,” he said.

“We are still in the golden hours na we can still save more lives,” he added.

The magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Bogo City in Cebu at 9:59 p.m., according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

It was initially reported as a magnitude 6.7 before being upgraded to 6.9. It had a depth of five kilometers and was tectonic in origin.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered various government agencies to mobilize and provide immediate aid to communities affected by the earthquake. —VAL, GMA Integrated News