The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has deployed to Cebu one of its largest ships carrying doctors, nurses, and emergency equipment to aid victims of the deadly earthquake that struck northern part of the province on Tuesday.
The BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) was scheduled to sail from Manila on Wednesday afternoon to deliver medical teams and relief supplies to communities hardest hit by the magnitude 6.9 quake, the PCG said.
In a statement, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan said portable water desalinators would also be sent to northern Cebu to help hospitals and evacuation centers whose water systems were damaged by the quake.
‘Rest assured that the PCG will respond fast and right in support of the whole-of-nation action for the recovery of the affected communities,’ Gavan said.
Moreover, additional Coast Guard assets are being mobilized from other regions.
The Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao is sending two 44-meter vessels, while Northeastern Mindanao is dispatching another to augment ongoing operations in Central Visayas. Search-and-rescue K9 units are also being deployed: a team of seven handlers with six working dogs boarded a Philippine Air Force C-130 for Cebu City on Wednesday morning, while other SAR personnel are arriving from Cagayan de Oro and Ormoc.
3 Coast Guard members dead
The Coast Guard also confirmed that three of its members, Seaman Second Class Lawrence Palomo, Apprentice Seaman Jujay Mahusay, and Apprentice Seaman Er Cart Dacunes, died when the San Remigio Sports Complex where they were staying in collapsed during the quake. Support teams have been dispatched to assist their families.
‘We extend our sincere condolences to the families of our fallen personnel. Their dedication to the service and camaraderie with our fellow uniformed men and women will always be remembered. The PCG stands in full solidarity with their loved ones and will ensure that they receive the utmost support,’ PCG Commandant Gavan said.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Wednesday that the earthquake left ‘as high as 60’ people dead across northern Cebu. The council, however, cautioned that the numbers remain subject to validation as reports continue to arrive from the ground.
The NDRRMC said assessments of damaged infrastructure are also ongoing as search and rescue operations continue