DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr and Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa commended the country’s humanitarian contingent to Myanmar on Sunday night, shortly after their return from a two-week deployment to the earthquake-ravaged country.
“You have exemplified the Filipino spirit which is helping others especially in times of need,” said Teodoro, who is also the chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, during a welcome ceremony at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Sunday night.
“The selflessness that you’ve shown, the professionalism that you have shown, is something that the Filipinos are very grateful for and are proud of,” he added.
The Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent was headed by Air Force Lt. Col. Erwen Diploma. It was deployed to Myanmar on April 1, says after the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that also hit neighboring Thailand. The quake left at least 3,500 people dead while hundreds remain missing, including two Filipinos in Mandalay City.
“Today, we gather not only to welcome home our brave men and women, but also to honor the selflessness, compassion and unwavering spirit that you have demonstrated in the face of tragedy beyond our shores,” said Herbosa.
“The 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar brought intense devastation. But in the moment of great need, you, our Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent, rose to the occasion. You responded not just as experts in rescue, health, logistics and coordination, but as true ambassadors of hope and humanity,” he added.
Herbosa said the contingent did not only bring life-saving equipment and supplies to Myanmar but also the “warmth of Filipino spirit of `bayanihan,’ ready to heal, to help and to stand in solidarity with those in distress.”
The contingent is composed of personnel from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Armed Forces, Department of Health, Metropolitan Development Authority, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Energy Development Corporation and Apex Mining Co Inc.
Apart from Teodoro and Herbosa, the others who welcomed back the contingent were AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, and OCD administrator Ariel Nepomuceno.
“This mission underscores the Philippines readiness to extend humanitarian assistance beyond its borders and strengthens regional cooperation through unified, inter-agency efforts,” the Air Force said in a statement.
