MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that four Filipino teachers based in Mandalay, Myanmar, were reported missing, after a strong quake jolted the country last Friday, March 28, 2025.
In a media briefing on Monday, DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo De Vega said that the family of the four missing teachers reached out to the department to seek assistance in looking for their loved ones.
“Ang pinaka-apektado yung nasa Mandalay, kasi yun ang malapit sa epicenter. So, sa mga 151 Filipinos there, apat ang [hinahanap] pa sila, maaaring nandun sila, kasama sa isang gusali na bumagsak, yung isang condominium doon,” De Vega said.
“So silang apat. Sa awa ng Diyos, well, hindi pa nadadadadagan yung number na nawawala na Filipinos. So, we hope pa rin for the best,” he added.
The four Filipino teachers, who are still unaccounted for, are currently working for an international school in Myanmar, De Vega confirmed.
He also mentioned that the Philippine Embassy in Myanmar is requesting for a Financial Assistance Authorization to release USD 100,000 (PHP 5.7 million) for Filipinos affected in Myanmar.
When asked how much will be allotted for every Filipino affected due to the earthquake in Myanmar, De Vega said there is no cap for the amount, although the country has previously given USD 1,000 for every affected Filipino national during the devastating 7.8 magnitude that hit Turkey in 2023.
Humanitarian contingent on its way to Myanmar
The Philippines will also send a humanitarian contingent to assist in the search and rescue operations in Myanmar.
According to De Vega, the country will be sending doctors, search and rescue personnel, and experts to help in the humanitarian effort.
“So, we're sure at least in the next few days, mga April 2, April 3 na doon na sila. They're ready to be deployed today or tomorrow. Thing is, I think they'll have to fly to Thailand muna before they can go to Myanmar. So, we'll see what they can do,” he added.
“Pero they've done it before. They know how to do these things. And of course, tulong lang natin sa ating mga kapatid from Myanmar,” De Vega stated.
De Vega encouraged families of Filipinos whom they lost contact in Myanmar, to call the Philippine Embassy in Myanmar with phone numbers (+95) 998 521 0991. They may also send a direct message to Overseas Filipinos Help Facebook page or via the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration hotline: OWWA 1348.
In a report from Reuters, about 2,000 people have so far been reported dead following the destructive 7.7 magnitude earthquake that shook Myanmar last Friday, considered the “deadliest natural disaster” to hit the country in years, damaging critical infrastructure.
Foreign aid contributors
Foreign aid started pouring in, with China sending the first batch of USD 13.9 million in emergency aid to Myanmar on Monday, according to reports from Reuters.
India sent a search and rescue team, medical professionals and a military transport aircraft filled with blankets, hygiene kits, food packets and other essential items on Saturday.
New Delhi has since sent at least four more aircraft and four ships carrying relief material, a special military medical unit and members of its disaster response agency.
The United States pledged USD 2 million in aid "through Myanmar-based humanitarian assistance organizations". It said in a statement that an emergency response team from USAID, which is undergoing massive cuts under the Trump administration, is being sent to Myanmar.
Vietnam has sent a team of more than 100 rescuers, medical staff and firefighters along with aid and sniffer dogs.
"The most important task of the Vietnamese rescue force is to focus on searching for and rescuing survivors," Vietnam's Ministry of Defence said on Monday.
State media reported that Vietnam had also sent USD 300,000 in aid to Myanmar.
South Korea said it would provide USD 2 million in initial humanitarian aid through international organisations to help Myanmar respond to Friday's earthquake.
"The Korean government hopes that this support will help efforts to save lives in the affected areas, and will closely monitor the damage situation and consider additional support if necessary," its foreign ministry said on Saturday.
Thailand, which was also hit by the quake, has sent 55 air force personnel, including medics and search and rescue specialists, as well as medical supplies to Myanmar.
Two Russian aircraft carrying 60 rescue workers, four dogs, ambulances and rescue vehicles arrived in Myanmar's capital Naypyitaw on Sunday, Myanmar's state broadcaster MRTV reported.
The Japanese government has dispatched a five-person assessment party that includes medical professionals to lay the groundwork for a larger emergency rescue team.
The government said it would provide emergency relief supplies such as daily necessities for disaster victims, and was in the final stages of determining what to include in the relief packages.
Singapore has sent an 80-member team to assist with disaster rescue efforts. The government contributed 150,000 Singapore dollars (USD 111,940.30) as seed money to support the fundraising efforts of the Singapore Red Cross.
Malaysia pledged 10 million ringgit (USD 2.25 million) in humanitarian aid to the earthquake victims and deployed a 50-member disaster relief team on Sunday. Malaysia, this year's chair of ASEAN, a 10-member grouping of Southeast Asian nations including Myanmar, said the organisation would also send a humanitarian mission to Myanmar this week.
Indonesia's military said in a statement on Monday that it was sending emergency teams, including search and rescue workers, to Myanmar, as well as tents, food and logistical supplies.
New Zealand said it would contribute NZ$2 million (USD 1.14 million) to the International Red Cross to support their humanitarian responders.
The Philippines said it was deploying 114 personnel, including search and rescue teams, medical assistance teams and ASEAN emergency responders. They are scheduled to travel to Myanmar on April 1.
Taiwan's Red Cross donated USD 50,000 for disaster relief, but its fire department on Sunday night stood down the 120-person rescue team it had put on standby. Taiwan's foreign ministry said it has offered to liaise with Myanmar on ways it can provide help.
(With reporting by Khanh Vu in Hanoi, Josh Smith in Seoul, Ben Blanchard in Taipei, Karen Lima in Manila, Kiyoshi Takenaka in Tokyo, Tanvi Mehta in New Delhi, Lucy Craymer in Wellington, Chayut Setboonsarng in Bangkok and Xinghui Kok in Singapore; Writing by Saad Sayeed; Editing by Kate Mayberry and Raju Gopalakrishnan.)
