Over 530 security personnel train for major earthquake response

MANILA, Philippines — Over 530 military, police and Coast Guard personnel tested their response to a major earthquake during a three-day interagency exercise that ended Friday in Manila, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Saturday.

The second Interagency Exercise, dubbed “Pagsasanay Sanlakas,” brought together personnel from the AFP, Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for tabletop and field exercises from Wednesday to Friday.

The drills simulated search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, triage and maritime casualty evacuation following a major earthquake.

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The exercise aimed to test the agencies’ ability to coordinate personnel and resources and mount a joint disaster response on land and at sea. The PCG served as lead agency.

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READ: PCG, AFP, PNP hold drills on major earthquake response

The exercise opened Wednesday at the PCG National Headquarters before field activities were held at the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal at Pier 15.

PCG Deputy Commandant for Operations Vice Adm. Edgar Ybañez, who presided over the opening, stressed the need for the three agencies to work together in preparing for large-scale disasters.

The exercise was organized by the Joint AFP-PNP-PCG Education, Training and Doctrine Cell, which oversees joint training and doctrine among the three services.

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PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan, AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Rommel Roldan and PNP Deputy Director for Education and Training Brig. Gen. Romeo Ruel Berango attended the closing ceremony Friday.

Rear Adm. Christopher Meniado served as exercise director./ja