By Priam Nepomuceno | Philippine News Agency
The Philippine Army (PA) and Philippine Air Force (PAF) units have assisted local responders in rescuing families severely affected by widespread flooding from heavy rains caused by Tropical Storm Kristine.
In a statement Wednesday, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) teams from the 5th, 7th, 2nd, 8th, and 9th Infantry Divisions rescued families affected by flooding in their respective areas of responsibility, especially in the Bicol region.
Meanwhile, the 525th Combat Engineer Battalion of the Combat Engineer Regiment also deployed a light urban search-and-rescue team composed of 18 personnel to the headquarters of the AFP Southern Luzon Command in Camp Nakar, Lucena City, Quezon.
“The PA leadership assures the public of the HADR teams’ operational readiness and commitment to save lives amid the massive flooding brought about by Tropical Storm Kristine,” Dema-ala said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force (PAF), through Tactical Operations Group 5, on Oct. 22 assisted 76 stranded individuals in Albay. Disaster response task units were immediately deployed, along with a KM-250 vehicle, to ensure the safe transport of affected individuals from Ayala Mall in Legazpi City to the Daraga Covered Court Evacuation Area, where they received essential shelter and assistance.
PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said two water search-and-rescue teams from the PAF’s 505th Search and Rescue Group, equipped with rubber boats, are being deployed to respond to emergency operations in the hardest-hit communities.
“With the situation under close monitoring, the PAF remains on high alert and is fully prepared to extend additional assistance wherever needed, demonstrating its unwavering dedication to safeguarding communities in times of crisis,” Castillo added.
12K cops ready for storm response
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has deployed more than 2,000 officers nationwide to assist in disaster relief and rescue efforts, while 10,000 officers are on standby.
“Definitely, our standby forces in nearby and provinces of Sorsogon, Albay, and Naga City would be deployed to augment our PNP personnel who were assigned there,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo told reporters in a press briefing held at Camp Crame.
The tropical storm has been dumping torrential rains over Bicol provinces since Tuesday, causing widespread floods in the region.
She said the PNP is assisting forced evacuation operations and providing security during the distribution of relief goods to affected residents.
“The instruction of our chief PNP (Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil) is also to make sure our affected PNP personnel would be assisted. This is for them not to worry about their families. We have already created an incident command system for this,” she added.
Fajardo also said the PNP has deployed Women and Children Protection Center personnel to ensure the safety of women and the youth.
“As to the victims and casualties, we have to defer to the OCD (Office of Civil Defense) because they are the ones authorized to provide such figures to avoid any conflict. That was the agreement with other government agencies,” she added.
