SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Eight members of the search and rescue unit of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will be sent to Japan to help in rescue operations there following the catastrophe brought about by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake last week.
The SBMA team will be joining other operatives from the search and rescue groups of the local government units of Makati and Pasig for a 10-day search and recovery operation, said SBMA administrator Armand Arreza.
Arreza said a directive from President Benigno Aquino III has prompted three of the best search and rescue units in the country to help in humanitarian operations in Japan.
The group will be landing at Tokyo’s Yokota Air Base and will be met there by liaison officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs, who will coordinate the conduct of their operations with Japanese authorities.
“The SBMA search and rescue team has the capability to help our neighboring countries in times of need, that’s why we’re sending help. We do have the necessary equipment and personnel with appropriate training and experience in this type of operations,” Arreza added.
The SBMA official also said that the Subic team is keen on seeing action, especially since 31 Filipinos are reportedly still unaccounted for after the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
The SBMA rescue team led by fire chief Ranny Magno includes fire marshalls Nardo Alcantara, Hedion Esteban and Romeo Paulmino, and firefighters Billy Joel Capistrano, Arnel Tolero, Eliseo Yco and Romeo Dionisio, Jr.
The Philippine Embassy in Japan has already identified the 31 missing Filipinos, most of whom are married to Japanese nationals, reports said.
The SBMA team will be joining other operatives from the search and rescue groups of the local government units of Makati and Pasig for a 10-day search and recovery operation, said SBMA administrator Armand Arreza.
Arreza said a directive from President Benigno Aquino III has prompted three of the best search and rescue units in the country to help in humanitarian operations in Japan.
The group will be landing at Tokyo’s Yokota Air Base and will be met there by liaison officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs, who will coordinate the conduct of their operations with Japanese authorities.
“The SBMA search and rescue team has the capability to help our neighboring countries in times of need, that’s why we’re sending help. We do have the necessary equipment and personnel with appropriate training and experience in this type of operations,” Arreza added.
The SBMA official also said that the Subic team is keen on seeing action, especially since 31 Filipinos are reportedly still unaccounted for after the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
The SBMA rescue team led by fire chief Ranny Magno includes fire marshalls Nardo Alcantara, Hedion Esteban and Romeo Paulmino, and firefighters Billy Joel Capistrano, Arnel Tolero, Eliseo Yco and Romeo Dionisio, Jr.
The Philippine Embassy in Japan has already identified the 31 missing Filipinos, most of whom are married to Japanese nationals, reports said.
