Manila, March 29 -- Three Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Teams (PEMATs) are ready to help in post-earthquake response in Myanmar and Thailand, the Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday.

Following the news of a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar and neighboring Thailand, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa immediately instructed the PEMATs to be on standby for deployment once international coordination protocols with the affected countries are complete and a request is received.

"We are continuously in touch with the office of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for further instructions as the Philippines coordinates with its earthquake-stricken ASEAN neighbors," Herbosa said.

The DOH previously deployed PEMAT members ...