RP to send medical teams, addt'l peacekeepers to Haiti

The Philippines will send medical teams and more peacekeepers to Haiti to to assist in relief operations following this week's devastating earthquake that killed thousands of people. During the inauguration of the Caticlan Airport in Aklan on Friday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said she has instructed the Department of Health to form medical teams that will be sent to aid in humanitarian work in the Carribean country, which was rocked by a magnitude-5.7 earthquake Tuesday afternoon (Wednesday morning in Manila). "We are more than ready to give a helping hand as we were victims ourselves -- Ondoy, Pepeng and Frank -- and a few months ago, about a year ago, we have also been a recipient of international assistance, now it is our turn to the give back," President Arroyo said. At the same time, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said the President has also given orders to the military leadership to prepare to deploy more peaceekeepers to Haiti. Brawner said 155 soldiers would be sent to assist in relief and recovery operations. "We are just waiting for the approval of UN (United Nations) and the pertinent documents like visas and then the vaccines and other necessary requirements for postings," he said. Medals, recognition Mrs. Arroyo said she would grant medals and other forms of recognition to the Filipino peacekeepers already in Haiti who are assisting in rescue and recovery operations even though they themselves were victims as the United Nation headquarters they were staying at collapsed because of the earthquake. "It is especially close to our hearts because we have peacekeeping troops on Haiti who are doing a good job. To once again rise to the occasion, we have risen to the occasions here in the Philipines each time, so we will give them medals when they return," she added. Three Filipino peacekeepers remain trapped inside the UN headquarters. They have been identified as Perly Tanagui of the Philippine Navy, Sgt. Jermis Arcena of the Philippine Air Force, and Sgt. Estacio Bermudez of the Philippine Army. Data from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) show that there are 462 Filipinos in Haiti — 290 are civilians, while 172 are military and police peacekeepers. On Thursday, Cpl. David Catacutan was rescued after being trapped in the Montana hotel since the earthquake rocked the country. "We are glad to hear that one of them has already been rescued and, moreover, there is a strong likelihood that the three others have survived the temblor. The only thing to do is clear the rubble to get to them," said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde. Remonde assured that Philippine authorities are ready to cope with such disasters should they occur in the Philippines. "Heaven forbid that a similar tragedy should befall the Philippines. However, if it does, our National Disaster Coordinating Council is at a level of preparedness to meet that contingency," he said. - with additional report from Johanna Camille Sisante/RSJ, GMANews.TV