The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that the Philippines' contingent, deployed to assist victims of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit Turkey, safely arrived in Istanbul on Thursday at noon.
OCD joint information center head Diego Agustin Mariano said that the response team had confirmed their arrival in Istanbul after their flight around midnight.
The Philippine contingent contains a total of 85 personnel, 33 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, 21 from the Army's 525th Engineer Combat Battalion, 51st Engineer Brigade, and 12 from the Air Force's 505th Search and Rescue Group.
Other contingent members include two from the OCD, ten from the Metro Manila Development Authority, nine from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and 31 from the Department of Health.
Earlier, Defense Officer-in-Charge Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. stated that the goal was for this team to be self-sufficient and not a burden on the host country.
The contingent will also bring donations for earthquake victims. Winter clothing and sleeping bags, as well as hygiene and sanitary kits, will be provided by the OCD in collaboration with the private sector and local government units.
