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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH Navy base in La Union severely damaged but troops press on with relief efforts for typhoon victims

PH Navy base in La Union severely damaged but troops press on with relief efforts for typhoon victims

Published Jul 26, 2025 12:18 pm  |  Updated Jul 26, 2025 02:08 pm
An entire window panel at the headquarters of Joint Task Force Karagatan at Naval Station Ernesto Ogbina in San Fernando City, La Union collapses under the force of Tropical Cyclone
An entire window panel at the headquarters of Joint Task Force Karagatan at Naval Station Ernesto Ogbina in San Fernando City, La Union collapses under the force of Tropical Cyclone "Emong", exposing interior workspaces to wind and rain. (Photo: Philippine Navy)
A severely damaged headquarters did not deter troops from the Philippine Navy (PN) in La Union from performing their mandate to ensure the safety of the people amid the onslaught of Tropical Cyclone “Emong”, a ranking official disclosed Saturday, July 26.
Captain John Percie Alcos, PN spokesperson, said that strong winds and flying debris shattered multiple windows, damaged roofing, and caused flooding in several workspaces at the Naval Station Ernesto Ogbina, the headquarters of Joint Task Force (JTF) Karagatan, when Emong battered San Fernando City in La Union.
The troops also suffered from power outages, further complicating their living conditions.
But despite the setbacks, troops from JTF Karagatan continued to conduct critical search, rescue, and retrieval (SRR) operations across northern Luzon to support affected communities, Alcos noted.
The Navy spokesperson said five individuals who were trapped in rising floodwaters were rescued by JTF Karagatan in Brgy. Poblacion, Burgos, Ilocos Norte.
SRR teams were also mobilized in La Union to conduct a preemptive evacuation of 500 individuals in San Fernando City. The evacuees who were living in flood- and landslide-prone areas were transported to evacuation centers.
Military personnel also conducted road clearing operations in Barangay Poro Point, San Fernando City to restore access to key roads and reduce public risk.
JTF Karagatan personnel also provided critical manpower assistance to various government agencies for the repacking, loading, and distribution of relief goods in La Union.
An SRR team from JTF Karagatan was also deployed in Bangued, Abra as a standby augmentation for local disaster response units when Emong struck the province.
Meanwhile, at the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City, Navy personnel from various units assisted in a large-scale repacking of relief goods in support of families affected by Typhoon Crising and the intensified southwest monsoon (habagat).
The initiative was led by the Civil Affairs Unit of the Civil-Military Operations Group–Philippine Navy (CMOG-PN), in close coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development–NROC (DSWD-NROC).
Through the combined efforts of government agencies, civilian volunteers, and uniformed personnel, a total of 10,700 family food packs were successfully prepared for immediate distribution to disaster-stricken communities nationwide, Alcos said.
Tropical Cyclone Emong damages ceilings and shatters windows at the headquarters of Joint Task Force Karagatan at Naval Station Ernesto Ogbina in San Fernando City, La Union. (Photo: Philippine Navy)
Tropical Cyclone Emong damages ceilings and shatters windows at the headquarters of Joint Task Force Karagatan at Naval Station Ernesto Ogbina in San Fernando City, La Union. (Photo: Philippine Navy)
Tropical Cyclone Emong damages ceilings and shatters windows at the headquarters of Joint Task Force Karagatan at Naval Station Ernesto Ogbina in San Fernando City, La Union. (Photo: Philippine Navy)
Tropical Cyclone Emong damages ceilings and shatters windows at the headquarters of Joint Task Force Karagatan at Naval Station Ernesto Ogbina in San Fernando City, La Union. (Photo: Philippine Navy)
Joint search, rescue, and retrieval (SRR) teams from Northern Luzon Naval Command and 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing under the Joint Task Force Karagatan evacuate victims of Tropical Cyclone Emong in San Fernando City, La Union on July 24, 2025. (Photo: Philippine Navy)
Joint search, rescue, and retrieval (SRR) teams from Northern Luzon Naval Command and 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing under the Joint Task Force Karagatan evacuate victims of Tropical Cyclone Emong in San Fernando City, La Union on July 24, 2025. (Photo: Philippine Navy)
A Joint Task Force Karagatan personnel’s private vehicle sustained significant damage at the height of Tropical Cyclone Emong. (Photo: Philippine Navy)
A Joint Task Force Karagatan personnel’s private vehicle sustained significant damage at the height of Tropical Cyclone Emong. (Photo: Philippine Navy)

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