MANILA — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is using all its available assets to help the government in its ongoing relief efforts for Typhoon Ompong victims.
“As of to date, the PAF is continuously conducting reconnaissance missions and working hand in hand with other government agencies in support to the humanitarian assistance and disaster response duty of the 15th Strike Wing and the Philippine Air Force in general to the areas affected by Typhoon Ompong, specifically to the northern part of the country,” PAF spokesperson Maj. Aristides Galang said in a statement Wednesday.
This includes the search-and-rescue operations conducted by the PAF 505th Search and Rescue Group, an aerial reconnaissance and rapid disaster assessment and needs analysis (RDANA) done by 15th Strike Wing AgustaWestland AW-109 helicopters in different typhoon-hit areas, such as Vigan in Ilocos Sur and the towns of Badoc, Pagudpud and Laoag City in Ilocos Norte.
“The team also made an aerial reconnaissance and RDANA to some areas of Baguio City particularly at Barangay Ucab, Itogon, which was known to be the most affected area in Benguet due to landslides and the most number of people reported missing,” Galang noted.
Upon its arrival, the PAF team immediately addressed all the necessary requirements needed to respond to typhoon-affected areas, he added. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
