MAGSAYSAY, DAVAO DEL SUR – Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Vice Admiral Joel S Garcia has commended the efforts of the PCG Task Force Tabang Mindanao who rescued a family with six members after being trapped in a remote area at Purok 8, Sitio Limonso, Barangay Maibo, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur on Wednesday, 06 November 2019.

“It is with great pride to recognize the brave and heroic efforts of our Coast Guard personnel to provide needed humanitarian assistance and disaster response to earthquake-stricken provinces in Davao del Sur, as well as in Cotabato. Rest assured that we will continue to exercise professionalism, commitment, and gallantry in all of our initiatives in service to the nation,” Vice Admiral Garcia said.

Reports revealed that the family, whose house was located in a mountainous area, was trapped and became isolated from its community due to a landslide caused by three consecutive earthquakes in the area.

The combined efforts of PCG medical doctors and nurses, Special Operations Force (SOF) members, as well as Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) K-9 unit and personnel were able to rescue Linda Masili, 85 years old; Emelda Emilio, 46 years old; Celin Capion, 41 years old; Ronie Masili, 31 years old, as well as a 17-year old teenager and a 9-month old baby.

PCG conducted a two-day social engineering activity to study the terrain, including the security and safety factors in the area before the actual search and rescue (SAR) operation that was also participated by the Bureau of Fire Protection – Search and Rescue Unit (BFP – SARU) in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur.

The joint SAR team arranged multiple layers of rescue chain strategy and trekked a 12-kilometer trail going to the target area to ensure the success of the operation.

Two of the family members were immediately brought to a nearby hospital for further medical attention, while the remaining rescued individuals were turned-over to the Municipal Social Welfare Office in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur for additional assistance.

Courtesy: Task Force Tabang Mindanao

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