Soldiers join rescue ops in Luzon’s quake-hit areas

Chuzon Supermarket in Porac, Pampanga, was one of the structures damaged by a magnitude 6.1 quake that shook parts of Luzon on Monday, April 22, 2019. (Photo by FAYE ORELLANA / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — Troops from the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been mobilized following the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that jolted parts of Luzon on Monday.

In a statement issued on Tuesday Nolcom said the units deployed to help out in the search and rescue efforts consist of 10 disaster response teams (DRT) from the Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion, one from the 505th Search and Rescue Group of the Philippine Air Force, two DRTs and one medical team from the 5th Fighter Wing, two K9 teams from the 710th Special Operations Wing were deployed to help out in the search and rescue efforts.

Reserve forces are also on standby in case more teams would be needed.

At the Chuzon Supermarket in Porac, Pampanga, possibly the hardest-hit town, soldiers were able to rescue nine individuals from the four-story building.

WATCH: Search and rescue operations at Chozun Supermarket in Porac, Pampanga after the magnitude 6.1 quake. Video from AFP @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/ko5UljCS2J

— Nestor A. Corrales (@NCorralesINQ) April 23, 2019

According to the Department of Health, 16 people were killed, 112 were injured and 15 were missing as a result of the earthquake.

AFP chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. and Nolcom chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat visited Porac to oversee the situation and the ongoing search and rescue operations.

The earthquake struck at 5:11 p.m. with an epicenter in Castillejos, Zambales at a depth of 21 kilometers.

The Philippines has one of the most active fault lines, being part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where majority of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.

/atm