PH Consulate General and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Istanbul Laud Efforts of PH Humanitarian Contingent After Mission in Türkiye

PH Consul General to Istanbul Shirlene C. Mananquil, Major Erwen S. Diploma of the 505th Search and Rescue Group of the Philippine Air Force, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Representatives Messrs. Erhan Yıldırım and Hakan Gözalıcı, together with the entire Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PHIAC) Team and representatives from Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı (AFAD) or the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority of Türkiye, and the Istanbul Ground Airport (IGA) staff pose for a group photo during the send off ceremony on 28 February 2023 (Istanbul PCG Photo).

28 February 2023 - The Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul, led by Consul General Shirlene C. Mananquil, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Istanbul, represented by Erhan Yıldırım and Hakan Gözalıcı, lauded the efforts of the 82-member Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PHIAC) Team in their search and rescue and disaster relief mission in Türkiye from 09 to 27 February 2023, in a simple send off ceremony at the Istanbul International Airport earlier today. The Team is expected to arrive in Manila in the evening of the same day.

“On behalf of the Philippine Embassy in Ankara led by our Philippine Ambassador Mariel Algabre and all of us from the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul, we want to thank the Philippine Humanitarian Team for coming here to Türkiye in their hour of need. Through you, the Philippines was able to show Türkiye that we are a caring nation ready to assist our partners in time of need. You have made the Philippines proud and have helped strengthen the relations between the Philippines and Türkiye. Mabuhay kayong lahat!,” said Consul General Mananquil.

Representatives from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Istanbul Mr. Erhan Yıldırım, likewise, extended Türkiye’s heartfelt gratitude by awarding a plaque of appreciation to the Contingent’s Team leader, Major Erwen S. Diploma of the 505th Search and Rescue Group of the Philippine Air Force.

“On behalf of the Turkish government, our President Erdoğan, our local governors, the Istanbul Governor’s Office, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and many different Ministries, are thanking you for your service. Thank you for being our heroes,” said Mr. Erhan Yıldırım as he handed over the plaque of appreciation.

The Team was also accorded VIP treatment in the Istanbul International Airport’s check-in and immigration counters, access to the IGA Lounge where they were able to get drinks and snacks, and driven by airport buggies to their boarding gate. At each of their stops, the Contingent Team members were honored with applause by airport and lounge personnel.

The Contingent, which was composed of officers from the Office of Civil Defense, the Philippine Emergency Medical Team (PEMAT) from the Department of Health, 525th Engineer Combat Battalion of the Philippine Army, 505th Search and Rescue Group of the Philippine Air Force, Metro Manila Development Authority and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, worked under the Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı (AFAD) or the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority of Türkiye following the devastating earthquakes of February 2023. Based on the statement of the Philippine Embassy in Ankara dated 27 February 2023, “the PEMAT assisted more than 1,000 patients in need, and the Philippine USAR rescued at least 10 survivors while retrieving over 100 more for grieving families”.

Also present during the team’s send off were Consul Lorena Joy P. Banagodos, Vice Consul Maika Ros B. Fontelera, representatives from the Afet ve Acil Durum Yönetimi Başkanlığı (AFAD) or the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority of Türkiye, and the Istanbul Ground Airport (IGA) staff. END

PH Consul General to Istanbul Shirlene C. Mananquil expresses her gratitude to Major Erwen Diploma of the Philippine Air Force and the entire Philippine Humanitarian Team as Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Istanbul representative Mr. Erhan Yıldırım looks on (Istanbul PCG photo).

Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Istanbul representative Mr. Erhan Yıldırım awards a plaque of appreciation to Major Erwen Diploma of the 505th Search and Rescue Group of the Philippine Air Force as a symbol of the Turkish Government’s appreciation to the Philippine Humanitarian Team’s service (Istanbul PCG photo).

The Philippine Medical Assistance Team (PEMAT) of the Department of Health and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team together with Consul General to Istanbul Shirlene C. Mananquil, Consul Lorena Joy P. Banagodos, Vice Consul Maika Ros B. Fontelera, and Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Istanbul representative Mr. Erhan Yildirim (Istanbul PCG photo).