In the wake of the devastation wrought by Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine”, the major service units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are working double time to rescue individuals who remain stranded due to flooding and deliver much-needed relief supplies to storm victims.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) utilized its air and ground assets for humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) operations in isolated areas in Bicol Region (Region 5).
“Lahat ng assets ng Philippine Air Force, whether on air or on the ground, ready and committed para maghatid ng tulog sa ating mga kababayang nasalanta (All assets of the Philippine Air Force, whether on air or on the ground, are ready and committed to deliver aid to our affected fellowmen),” PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo told radio dzBB on Sunday, Oct. 27.
In Bicol, the Tactical Operations Group (TOG-5) deployed three Black Hawk helicopters, a Huey search and rescue chopper, and several C-130 transport aircraft for HADR operations.
Even the Presidential aircraft assigned to secure President Marcos Jr. – two Bell 412 helicopters and a Black Hawk – were also being used to transport goods to Kristine-hit areas and conduct rapid damage assessment and needs analysis (RDANA).
“Gamit na gamit ang air assets (Our assets are fully utilized),” Castillo said.
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Meanwhile, two Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams of the Philippine Army’s (PA) 525th Combat Engineer Battallion distributed 1,100 food packs and 18 boxes of drinking water to storm victims in Bula, Camarines Sur.
The Army's 8th Infantry Division (8ID) also sent 200 personnel from the 8th Emergency Response Company and local disaster risk reduction and management council (LDRRMC) to intensify rescue and relief efforts across Bicol.
The Philippine Navy (PN) also mobilized the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) and Naval Forces Southern Luzon (Navforsol) for search, rescue and retrieval (SRR) and HADR operations in Northern Luzon.
Sailors and marines were dispatched to Laoag City, Ilocos Norte and Vigan, Ilocos Sur to augment personnel from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). They assisted in conducting feeding programs and distribution of relief goods to the evacuees.
The PN also conducted search and rescue operations in Nabua, Camarines Sur where 11 individuals trapped in their homes due to flooding were saved, including sick and elderly people.