The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has mobilized its land, air, and sea assets to aid search, rescue, and relief operations in Cebu and nearby provinces following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck off the island Tuesday night.
The Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force (PAF) said troops have been dispatched to heavily affected areas, while more units remain on standby for rapid deployment.
The Army reported that 158 soldiers from its 53rd Engineer Brigade were deployed across Cebu and nearby regions to conduct search, rescue, and retrieval (SRR) operations.
Teams also brought an ambulance and mission-essential equipment to extend medical aid. Initial reports noted five individuals rescued, five injured, and four cadavers retrieved.
Their operations currently cover Medellin, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu, Brgy. Caradio-an in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, Sabang II in Allen, Northern Samar, Kuta Kankabato in Tacloban City, and Dingle, Iloilo.
“This is a developing report and the Army also awaits official reports from other Philippine Army units within the affected areas,” said Army Spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala.
The PAF deployed Disaster Response Task Units through the Tactical Operations Wing Central. A C-130 cargo aircraft ferried additional responders from the 505th Search and Rescue Group and Philippine Army humanitarian and disaster response (HADR) teams.
Black Hawk helicopters, meanwhile, conducted rapid damage assessments and airlifted medical teams, equipment, and relief goods to devastated areas.
On the ground, personnel from the 560th Air Base Group joined Army responders in conducting assessments, search and rescue operations, and relief distribution.
“The Philippine Air Force remains steadfast in its mission to save lives and deliver timely humanitarian assistance. Working alongside government agencies, local officials, and volunteers, the PAF continues to bring hope and critical support to communities in crisis,” Air Force Spokesperson Christina Basco said.
AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said nearly 1,600 teams of active soldiers, reservists, and CAFGU Active Auxiliary members are on standby to augment ongoing operations.
“The AFP assures the public of our full commitment to support interagency response operations and to work with other government agencies in ensuring the safety and welfare of our people,” Padilla said, while urging the public to remain vigilant and follow official advisories.
The AFP stressed that official data on casualties and damage would come from the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
