QUEZON CITY (PIA) - Collapsed buildings, piles on top of piles of rubbles, and debris lying all around.

This is the scenario that the Philippine Inter-Agency Contingent teams saw during their search and rescue operation in Adiyaman, Turkiye based on the photos shared by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

OCD reported that the teams are doing the Hasty Search, a fast-paced methodological process of searching for victims or signs of life in an assigned area, wherein members of a SAR team are spread out and slowly jog when needed in order to immediately locate victims who are in need.

Despite the hazardous environment, officials in the Philippines are confident that the teams will achieve their goals in Turkiye.

In a recent NDRRMC briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Philippine Army Spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad, their light USAR team (525th Engineering Combat Batallion) are capable of conducting search and rescue: high angle, collapse structure, confined spaces, and rapid response and main responder to the National Capital Region.

Philippine Air Force-Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo said their 12 personnel have the same skills and experience as their Army counterparts and the “hearts to risk the lives to save lives.”

For her part, Department of Health-Health Emergency Management Bureau Director Bernadett Velasco, on the other hand, assured that the emergency medical teams will also treat chronic illnesses, high blood pressure, asthma, etc., ensure water sanitation for patients and their teams and provide psychosocial services. (LP)