The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is preparing for the possible deployment of emergency teams that will help in search and rescue (SAR) operations in Turkey following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Monday, Feb. 6.
Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno, OCD Administrator, expressed condolences to the Republic of Turkey in the aftermath of the devastation that has since killed thousands of people in the Middle Eastern country.
“The OCD extends its heartfelt sympathies to all the victims and affected families of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit southern Türkiye,” Nepomuceno said.
"Our prayers are with those who are still missing as a result of this tragic event," he added.
Nepomuceno said the OCD and member-agencies of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are prepared to extend the necessary assistance to the earthquake-hit country after the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Manila formally expressed their request for assistance in the form of emergency medical and urban search and rescue teams.
“Currently, OCD is coordinating with concerned agencies and mustering available manpower and equipment for possible deployment responding to the request of Türkiye,” Nepomuceno added.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has assured the OCD that the earthquake in Turkey will “have no effect to the Philippines.”
"The earthquake in Turkey will not affect us as the active fault that caused the magnitude 7.8 earthquake is too far away and not connected to our active faults," Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. explained.
However, Nepomuceno reminded the public that the powerful quake in Turkey may also happen in the Philippines since there are still active faults so preparation is still a must.
“It is best for us to remain prepared, alert, and well informed in case of similar unfortunate event may happen in our country,” he noted.