ARLA/CLUSTER: Radioamadores filipinos na primeira linha de socorro às vitimas do terramoto.

[João Gonçalves Costa]

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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Earthquake hits, radio amateurs act

Effects continue across the central Philippines after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck triggering landslides with dozens of people killed and many trapped in toppled homes.

Chief Operating Officer for IARU society PARA, Eddie Valdez DU1EV said ham radio operators are now active in communications assistance.

Eddie DU1EV said those near the epicentre of the earthquake in the DU7 and DU6 call areas are active. They have chosen to use the VHF band for communications.

Their services included message handling with phone communications cut, widespread power outages, bridges and other infrastructure damaged.

The earthquake in a narrow strait between the heavily populated island provinces of Negros and Cebu hit around lunchtime on Monday.

There had been more than 200 aftershocks, some nearly as strong, causing further panic.

This came after typhoon storms swept the Southern Philippines on December 16 to 18 with a heavy loss of lives and radio amateurs helping out. 

Jim Linton VK3PC

Chairman, IARU Region 3, 
Disaster Communication Committee.