Philippines: Quake drill draws thousands

Thousands of Filipinos participated in an earthquake drill held in the Metro Manila on July 30.
Philippines: Quake drill draws thousands ảnh 1Filipinos participating in the drill (Photo:AP)

Thousands of Filipinos participated in an earthquake drill held in the Metro Manila on July 30.

In the drill, participants from government offices, the private sector and schools across the city practiced self-protection skills and exited from buildings in a 7.2 magnitude earthquake simulation.

Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III followed the drill closely with updated information from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

According to Francis Tolentino, Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the drill was successful.-VNA

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