By Priam Nepomuceno/PNA
MANILA — Philippine Air Force (PAF) aircraft and personnel are in the forefront of ongoing relief efforts for communities severely devastated by Tropical Depression Usman.
This was bared by PAF spokesperson Major Aristides Galang in a statement forwarded to reporters Thursday night.
“Humanitarian assistance and disaster response teams from the 505th Search and Rescue Group together with the help of the 220th Airlift Wing were actively conducting rescue and retrieval operations in all typhoon-hit areas mostly devastated by heavy landslides and flash floods in the Bicol area,” Galang said.
He also noted that during the height of Usman’s onslaught, disaster response teams from the Tactical Operations Group 5 and Tactical Operations Wing Southern Luzon were also deployed in the area for fast access and manning in the rescue operations with the use of M-35 trucks and rubber boats.
“Moreover, several aircraft were also utilized, such as the Super Huey, UH-1D and C-295 aircraft to help reach impenetrable areas which paved the way to evacuate victims in the areas of Sitio Peñafrancia, Barangay Sagrada, Buhi and San Miguel, Nabua, Camarines Sur,” the PAF spokesperson added.
To date, a total of 13 flying hours were conducted by the PAF and 32,800 pounds worth of relief goods were transported to all the victims affected by the monstrous typhoon with the help of several national government agencies in the area.
“The Philippine Air Force is continuously on its feet to rescue and help all our fellow Filipinos trapped in different areas of Bicol region,” Galang stressed.
