The Philippine Army has deployed an 18-member Urban Search and Rescue team to General Santos City as government agencies intensified search, rescue, and humanitarian operations in areas affected by the strong earthquake in Mindanao.
The Army said the team was sent to help support ongoing response efforts in quake-hit communities, particularly in General Santos City, where significant infrastructure damage was reported.
The 10th Infantry Division deployed around 200 personnel to General Santos City for humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. The teams came from one platoon of the 10th Emergency Response Company, three platoons of Task Force Gensan, one platoon from the 1002nd Infantry Brigade, and one company from the 28th Infantry Battalion.
The 6th Infantry Division also sent 53 personnel from 12 disaster response teams under the 105th Infantry Battalion and 37th Infantry Battalion. These teams were deployed to General Santos City; Maitum, Kiamba, and Maasim in Sarangani; and Lebak in Sultan Kudarat.
Military vehicles were also dispatched to support operations in affected areas, including eight KM250 trucks, five KM450 trucks, two mobile patrol vehicles, and three motorcycles.
The Army said additional personnel and assets remain on standby for possible deployment. Around 530 personnel from 53 disaster response teams under the 10th Infantry Division and 77 personnel from nine teams under the 6th Infantry Division are on standby alert.
A total of 56 military trucks and one patrol car from the two divisions are also ready for deployment if needed.
The Philippine Army said it is closely coordinating with national government agencies and local government units to ensure a swift and organized response to the earthquake and continuing aftershocks in the region.