The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday, July 4, bared that it has transported two million pounds of cargo and 2.2 million food packs meant to assist the national government in responding to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
"We understand that the fight is far from over, but I would like to express our gratitude to the tireless men and women who continue to work behind the scenes loading, flying, steering, and maintaining our ships and aircrafts non-stop for more than three months now," said General Felimon Santos Jr., chief of staff of the AFP.
According to military records, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and Philippine Navy (PN) have both dedicated seven aircrafts and 16 vessels to help the military's efforts to address the health crisis.
The PAF has logged more than 881 flying hours in total with its two C-130 and three C295 transport planes doing most of the heavy airlifting. It includes the air transport of medical supplies and equipment, and health care workers to and from abroad, and elsewhere in the country.
As for the PN, logistics support vessels BRP Bacolod City and BRP Dagupan, and landing craft BRP Batak have ferried the most weight.
Meanwhile, land operations have also transported individuals and supplies nationwide with over 261 vehicles currently in use.
Some 123,000 passengers -- either stranded commuters, locally stranded individuals, or returning overseas Filipinos -- were accommodated as reported by the AFP's Unified Commands and Major Services.
"The strength of our will is being tested by this pandemic and every day we continue to prove nothing can wear our troops out," Santos said. "As I near the end of my term as chief of staff, I am confident that our soldiers will carry on with the selfless service that has so far marked the AFP's legacy in this pandemic."
Santos will turn 56 years old, the mandatory retirement age for military personnel, on Aug. 3.