QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — The Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PIAHC) has returned home after a nearly two-week mission providing disaster response and relief to Myanmar following a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake.
Lieutenant Colonel Erwen Diploma of the Philippine Air Force, who served as contingent commander, said the team ensured they were self-sustaining to avoid becoming an additional burden on the country they were helping.
“As the overall contingent commander, my primary concern was security,” Diploma said during an interview with PIA-NCR. “With the help of our Philippine Defense Attaché, we received crucial threat assessment support.”
The 91-member humanitarian team faced several challenges, including communication barriers and operational limitations. The contingent arrived more than four days after the March 28 earthquake, beyond the critical 72-hour window when urban search and rescue operations have the highest chance of finding survivors.
“When the 72-hour period is over, our rescue operations often transition to recovery efforts, which means recovering remains rather than rescuing survivors,” Diploma explained.
The team was prohibited from using Starlink satellite communications by Myanmar authorities, forcing them to adapt their communication plans. “As a foreign team entering their country, we had to follow their local policies,” Diploma said. “That’s very important to us.”
Despite these challenges, the Philippine team was able to work effectively alongside other international rescue units, including teams from Vietnam, Indonesia and Myanmar’s own responders. Diploma credited their success to following International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) guidelines.
“We didn’t have a hard time because we follow the same standards,” he said. “When we operated in Jade City on April 2, our procedures didn’t become a barrier because we understand the terminologies and how we operate.”
The contingent included representatives from multiple agencies, including the Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army, Department of Health’s Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team (PEMAT), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Emergency Response Team, Energy Development Corporation, and Apex Mining Co., Inc.
Moreover, the PEMAT delivered essential medical care to victims of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar as part of the larger PIAHC relief mission.
Beyond treating earthquake-related injuries, the team provided care for patients suffering from various conditions including hypertension, pneumonia, diabetes and other ailments, according to officials.
“We ensured the safety of our entire group while conducting humanitarian aid — an important aspect to guarantee smooth operations,” said Eric John Capito, PEMAT Assistant Team Lead and Assistant Chief Nurse from Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium.
The team’s successful mission demonstrated the characteristic resilience and compassion of the Filipino people amid challenging circumstances abroad. Their medical support formed a crucial component of the Philippine government’s response to the earthquake that claimed over 3,000 lives, including two Filipino nationals.
Malacañang Palace has expressed gratitude to the team and honored them with a commendation for their courage in fulfilling their duties. The first group departed for Myanmar on April 1, with a second group following the next day.
Two additional Filipino nationals remain missing as of writing. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
(Photos: MMDA, PIAHC, OCD, PAF)
