Dogs helped retrieve 28 fatalities in typhoon-hit ComVal

Residents search for victims of Tuesday’s flash flood caused by Typhoon Bopha at New Bataan township, Compostela Valley in southern Philippines Thursday Dec. 6, 2012. The powerful typhoon that washed away emergency shelters, a military camp and possibly entire families in the southern Philippines has killed hundreds of people with nearly 400 missing, authorities said Thursday. AP/Bullit Marquez

MANILA, Philippine—The combined efforts of humans and animals have helped retrieve 28 bodies of victims of typhoon Pablo in New Bataan, Compostela Valley.

Makati City Government and the Office of the Vice President have sent a 10-man rescue team and two dogs, “Ira” and “Drena,” and retrieved 28 bodies including a pregnant woman, female child and two soldiers.

Ira and Drena, both Belgian Malinois dogs, were trained by the Philippine K9.

“We are devastated by the tragedy and our dogs and the team will remain as long as they are needed,” Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay said.

Aside from Ira and Drena, the Makati Rescue also brought with them two chainsaws, a vibrascope (to see victims trapped underneath debris and tree trunks), a vibraphone (to communicate with live victims trapped underneath), and a hydraulic cutter (hydraulic spreader) used in vehicular extrication.

The mayor said that Makati will acquire more search dogs to be trained by Philippine K9 for deployment to disaster-stricken areas whenever needed.

The Makati Rescue members are Roy Gordon dela Cruz (team leader), Joseph Michael Bernaldez, John Paul Amado, Amaleo Amado Coralde, Jesus Sumalinog, Richard Perez and Sherwin Tan Go. The members of the Philippine K9 Search and Rescue Foundation are Nemencio Muyot, Joselito Baldamor and Jeffrey del Rosario.