THE Philippine government has deployed a contingent to help in the conduct of search, rescue, relief and other operations in Turkey, which was struck by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on Monday, February 6, 2023.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said about 85 personnel from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force (PAF) and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), among others, will fly to Turkey on Wednesday, February 8.

He said they also brought some goods, including clothes and blankets, to be distributed to the affected population.

“So lahat, ‘yung engineering, mayroong pinapadala tayong mga engineer, mayroon tayong pinapadalang health workers, and of course the goods that we feel that they will need,” said Marcos.

(So everyone, the engineering, we are sending engineers, we are sending health workers, and of course, the goods that we feel that they will need.)

“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. The Philippines is ready to help in whatever way it can in responding to this disaster,” he added.

The death toll from the quake, which has been considered the most severe since 1999 in Turkey, soared to over 7,000 and is expected to increase.

The Turkish government declared a state of emergency in the affected areas on Tuesday, February 8, 2023. (SunStar Philippines)