Central Philippines earthquake update

Communications have been set up on HF as the emergency activity of amateur radio becomes established in the earthquake and landslide hit areas. Chief Operating Officer for IARU society PARA, Eddie Valdez DU1EV said that Ham Emergency Radio Operations (HEROs) has activated the emergency frequencies of 144.740 MHz and 7.095 MHz.

Eddie DU1EV said "They have established their command centre on board the Philippine Coast Guard search and rescue vessel BRP Davao del Norte. HEROs have been busy forwarding traffic from the disaster areas to Cebu and Manila." Rescue workers are searching for survivors after the 6.7-magnitude quake earthquake killed dozens of people. The death toll is 43 but rescuers are still searching for missing people in the rubble and landslides. It struck just before noon local time on Monday in the heavily populated islands of Negros and Cebu in the country's central region. Eddie DU1EV said that the traffic handled included mainly responding to overseas inquiries for persons looking for information about their family and friends in the earthquake areas.

He said "As land lines and cellular phones have been erratic, amateur radio has provided a vital link. Among the active HEROs are RJ DU7RJA, Roy DU7DDJ, DW7XKS and, DW7RDX. Alvin DU1AJ/7 has set up his station so that it could act as relay for the HEROs at the earthquake stricken areas. He receives and sends traffic via HF, VHF, echolink and Facebook."

In Manila, HEROs operatives Butch DU1RP and Lito DU1PA have set up camp at the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) under the Department of Defence. They are active on HF and they act as liaison between the disaster area and the NDRRMC command centre in Manila, reported Eddie DU1EV.

Jim Linton VK3PC, Chairman, IARU Region 3, Disaster Communication Committee.

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