Philippine troops search for survivors in Myanmar after quake

The Philippine Army's search-and-rescue team has begun searching for signs of life in Myanmar following last week’s devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake.

Troops from the 525th Combat Engineer Battalion arrived at Nay Pyi Taw Military Air Base on April 1 and immediately joined inter-agency humanitarian efforts, including a light search operation at the collapsed Jade Hotel and Entertainment Complex in the capital city of Nay Pyi Taw.

Despite four hours of searching, no survivors were found; however, two cadavers were discovered and turned over to local authorities.

The Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PIAHC), comprising 91 members from various government agencies and private sector volunteers, adheres to specific security measures to mitigate risks from petty crimes and aftershocks.

Headed by Lieutenant Colonel Erwen S. Diploma, the contingent continues its mission amidst unstable conditions and ongoing assessments for further operations.