Nolcom evacuates individiduals stranded by 'Egay,' 'Falcon' in Batanes

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City – The Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), through the Tactical Operation Group 2 (TOG 2) of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), has evacuated individuals stranded by typhoons “Egay” and “Falcon” in Basco, Batanes.

Major Al Anthony B. Pueblas, acting Nolcom chief public information officer, said they were evacuated starting Thursday, August 10.

Assisting in the evacuation was the 10th Marine Company of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-10 which provided aircraft security, ensuring safe arrivals and departures at Basco Airport amid challenging weather conditions.

The joint efforts of the PAF and Marines yielded tangible results as 51 individuals were successfully evacuated from Basco Airport to Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte and to Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. 

The 220th Airlift Wing also played a pivotal role, utilizing the C295 NR 217 aircraft to facilitate the evacuation.

“As of August 11, 2023, the air evacuation mission remains ongoing, with the dedicated teams committed to evacuating over 250 individuals. Stranded tourists, local flight passengers, as well as personnel from local government units and government agencies are among those being rescued,” said Air Force Col. Glenn S. Piquero, group commander of TOG 2.

Lt. Gen. Fernyl G. Buca, Nolcom commander, commended the swift response of these units. 

Buca emphasized that “the unyielding efforts of our responders in the face of adversity are a testament to the selfless service and commitment of our Armed Forces in the performance of their sworn mandate as defenders of the North and protectors of the people.”

TOG 2 is the PAF unit under Nolcom  responsible for the search, rescue, and retrieval operations during the onslaught of Egay and Falcon in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) and responsible for tracking down the crashed Cessna-152 plane on August 2 in the mountains of Apayao.