So this particular unit was had a display during the 1st Tactical & Survival Expo back in June. They had some fliers out and I wanted to basically transcribe the relevant information here as well as post some of the pictures I was able to take since the flyer is getting ratty and I was gonna throw it out.525th Engineer Combat Battalion "Mandirigtas" (Mandirigmang Tagapagligtas)
51st Engineer Brigade, Philippine Army
Army Adzone, Western Bicutan, Taguig City
Who We Are
The 525th Engineer Combat Battalion, aside from being a combat support unit, is the primary Philippine Army Disaste Response Unit (PA DRU) since 16 March 2012. The unit designation is in line with the Command's intent to have a unit hat will have a focused development of DRO capabilities.
Our Mission
To provide combat engineer support to PA maneuver units and conduct disaster response and rescue operations.
How We Are Mobilized
Upon announcement from PAGASA of typhoon signal number 1 or upon approval of appropriate authority, the PA DRU is activated.
The Methodology
The PA DU provides HADR capability to the AFP in its conduct of Humanitarian and Disaster Response (HADR) operations in support to NDRRMC and other agencies in other to mitigate the effects of natural and man-made disasters.
Upon orders or when situation demands, the PA DRU is activated and organized with the 525th ECB as the nucleus augmented by one K9 Platoon, Truck Battalion from Army Support Command for mobility assets, one company each from Civil-Military Operations Group, Security and Escort Battalion, Special Services Unit, and a platoon from Signal Regiment. It conducts area assessment to determine the pertinent response needed establishes linkage with the affected LGU and appropriate resources are deployed. PA DRU conducts DRO in accordance with the operational concepts pf the Incident Command System. The operation is terminated upon orders.
Our Strength
The Command Group and Battle Staff are trained on Incident Command System (ICS-Level 4)
Our team with equipment:
• (3) Urban Search and Rescue Teams
• (3) Rescue Teams with Ropes & Hardware
• (9) Water Search and Rescue Teams
• Mass Casualty Decontamination Unit
What We Can Do
As the PA DRU, we can:
• Perform Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue
• Conduct confined space rescue operation
• Vehicular victim extraction
• Mountain and Forest Rope Rescue Operation
• Water Search and Rescue Operation with swift water and limited under water rescue capability
• Evacuation and transportation of disaster victims
• Conduct area reconnaissance, assessment and survey
• Provide emergency, medical First Response (BLS/EMT-BSC)
• Conduct limited heavy route clearing operations
• Support relief and rehabilitation operations
• Support water purification and filtration operations
• Mass Casualty Decontamination
What Shapes Us
Basic Competencies:
• Basic Rescue Training
• Incident Command System Course
• Basic Emergency Responders' Training
• Hazardous Material (Awareness Level)
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Training
Rope and Mountain Rescue
• Earthquake and Landslide Search and Rescue Training
• Rope Rescue Training (Building, Tower, Mountain)
• High Angle Training
Urban Search and Rescue
• Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue Training
• Vehicular Accident Victim Extrication Training
• International Urban Search and Rescue Training
• Basic Fire Fighting Training
• Mass Casualty Decontamination Training
Water Search and Rescue
• Basic Water Search and Rescue Training
• Flood Incident Rescue and Safety Training
• Specialized Water Search and Rescue Training
• Swift Water Fist Responder Training
• SCUBA-Open water driving and Underwater First Responder Training
Our Partners
HADR Exercises:
• Hawaii Army National Guard
• Guam National Guard
• Royal Thai Army
• Royal Brunei Land Forces
• 1st Corps U.S. Army
• United States Army Pacific
Capacity-building Training:
• Office of Civil Defense
• Philippine National Red Cross
• Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
• MMDA
• Department of Health
• Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices
• Center for Disaster and Emergency Management
• Philippine Coast Guard
• Bureau of Fire Protection
• U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency
What We Have Done
The unit has responded to:
• Typhoon Pablo (COMVAL Province) - Dec. 2012
• Typhoon Habagat (Metro Manila) - July 2012
• Typhoon Maring (Cavite) - Aug. 2013
• Typhoon Santi (Northern Luzon) - Oct. 2013
• Super Typhoon Yolanda (Tacloban) - Nov. 2013
• Typhoon Glenda (NCR and neighboring areas) July 2014
• Typhoon Mario (NCR and neighboring areas) - Sept. 2014
• Water Purification (Bicol, Albay) - Sept. To Dec. 2014
• Typhoon Lando (Central Luzon) - Oct. 2015
The unit participated as part of the Incident Management Team (IMT) for:
• Traslacion of the Black Nazarene - Jan. 2015
• Pope Francis' Apostolic and State Visit - Jan. 2015
• APEC 2015
• Translacion of the Black Nazarene - Ja. 2016
What We Intend to Do
To become fully effective, the unit must:
• Acquire competency certification
• Develop certified trainers and instructors
• Enhance capability for higher discipline, e.g. Fire fighting, air/water insertion into disaster areas
• Acquire relevant HADR equipment
• Develop TTPs and SOPs on DRO
• Sustain stakeholder engagement
Contact Details:
Tel. No. (02) 806-6660
Globe: 0905-557-1328
Smart: 0919-622-7524
Email: cmo52ecb@gmail.com
