Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 6) — The Philippines is preparing to deploy rescuers to Turkey after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the country on Monday, according to the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD).
Currently, the OCD is coordinating with concerned agencies and mustering available manpower and equipment for possible deployment responding to the request of Türkiye (Turkey),” OCD spokesperson Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro said in a statement.
According to the OCD, the Embassy of Turkey in Manila has formally expressed the country’s request for assistance in the form of emergency medical and urban search and rescue teams.
Authorities reported at least 2,300 deaths and thousands more injured from the quake that hit the Turkish city of Gaziantep. Tremors were also felt in several countries, including Israel and Lebanon.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier announced that the Philippines is prepared to provide assistance to Turkey and Syria following the deadly earthquake in the region.
In a tweet, Marcos extended his condolences to both countries over the lives lost due to the quake.
Our thoughts and prayers go to the peoples and governments of Türkiye and Syria following the strong earthquake that has claimed many lives and caused massive destruction to their countries,” Marcos said. “The Philippines is ready to help in whatever way it can in responding to this disaster.The Philippine embassies in Turkey and Syria have reported no Filipino casualties so far among the victims.Both offices also said they are monitoring the situation and called on Filipinos affected by the quake to reach out to them.
The Philippine Embassy in Turkey may be contacted through telephone and WhatsApp at +905345772344 and via email at ankara.pe@dfa.gov.ph, while the Philippine Embassy in Syria at +963949155557 and pe.damascus@gmail.com.
