QUEZON CITY, (PIA) --The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sends its urban search and rescue (USAR) teams from the Philippine Army's 525th Engineer Combat Battalion, 51st Engineer Brigade and the Philippine Air Force 505th Search and Rescue Group as part of the Philippine delegation to Turkey.

The 33 personnel from the AFP will join USAR units of the MMDA and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. In addition, the Office of Civil Defense will send a communications and logistics team, while the Department of Health will dispatch emergency medical personnel to aid the response team of earthquake-stricken Turkey.

 “On the side of the AFP, we will send two groups from the Army and Air Force trained in search and rescue operations. They are also knowledgeable in conducting search and rescue on collapsed structures. They have the training and equipment to do this special task,” Chief of Staff, AFP (CSAFP) Gen. Andres C Centino said during the inspection of the AFP contingent.

The CSAFP advised the contingent to keep safe as they accomplish the special task that will last for at least two (2) weeks.

The Philippine delegation is composed of 87 personnel and will fly tomorrow evening on board a Turkish airline flight. They will also bring other items such as blankets and hygiene kits as part of the relief effort requested by the Turkey government.

DND OIC Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez led the send-off ceremony of the Philippine Contingent to Turkey. He was accompanied by the CSAFP, DOH OIC Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire; Office of Civil Defense OIC, Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro I; MMDA Acting Chairman Romando Artes; and, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Fire Department Manager Ranny Magno. (paoafp/pia-ncr)