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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH Army: 38K individuals evacuated in 'Opong-hit' Luzon, Visayas

PH Army: 38K individuals evacuated in 'Opong-hit' Luzon, Visayas

Published Sep 26, 2025 03:17 pm
Troops from the Philippine Army's 63rd Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division take part in a coordinated operation that led to the rescue of a missing woman amid the onslaught of Ompong in Guiuan, Eastern Samar on Sept. 25, 2025. (Photo: PA)
Troops from the Philippine Army's 63rd Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division take part in a coordinated operation that led to the rescue of a missing woman amid the onslaught of Ompong in Guiuan, Eastern Samar on Sept. 25, 2025. (Photo: PA)
Around 38,000 residents were taken to safer grounds by the Philippine Army (PA) as Severe Tropical Storm “Opong” lashed parts of the country on Friday, Sept. 26.
PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said 10,961 families or 38,521 individuals were evacuated across Southern Luzon, Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas by different Army humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) teams.
“Soldiers, alongside local government disaster responders, are working tirelessly to assist families affected by Opong,” he said.
Troops from the 6rd Infantry Battalion of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) took part in a coordinated operation that led to the rescue of a missing woman amid the onslaught of Ompong in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
In Bicol Region, the 9th Infantry Division (9ID) deployed 56 squads and 40 military trucks in close coordination with the Office of the Civil Defense Region V (OCD5) for relief operations across Masbate, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte.
Meanwhile, a total of 4,946 soldiers, CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) members, and reservists were on standby for immediate deployment in Metro Manila and across Luzon and the Visayas.
“The Army is firmly committed to delivering swift and coordinated disaster response efforts across the country, working alongside national government and local government responders to ensure the safety and well-being of affected families,” Dema-ala said.
Air Force relief operation
Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) mobilized two Black Hawk helicopters to airlift more than 800 boxes of relief goods from Laoag City to Calayan Island, Cagayan, for communities affected by the recent Super Typhoon “Nando.”
The mission was carried out by pilots and crew from the 205ᵗʰ Tactical Helicopter Wing and ground personnel from Tactical Operations Group 1 and 2 of the Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon, in coordination with other uniformed services, including the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The essential goods, provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Education (DepEd), were delivered to Calayan to support timely distribution to affected communities.
The PAF also deployed a C-130 cargo aircraft to deliver 1,000 family food packs from Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City to Basco, Batanes, and to transport 88 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and tourists back to Pasay City.
The mission was executed through the joint efforts of PAF personnel from Tactical Operations Group 1 and 2 of the Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon, together with the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), 30th Marine Company (30MC), Marine Battalion Landing Team 10 (MBLT10), and both Air Force and Army reservists.
Navy to the rescue
The Philippine Navy (PN) Northern Luzon Naval Command (NLNC) mobilized its disaster response and rescue teams to carry out extensive HADR operations across Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, and Batanes in wake of Nando.
The NLNC assisted in hauling and distributing over 200 relief packs and 100 food boxes, while 14 liaison NCOs were deployed to LGUs and DRRMOs to ensure real-time coordination and support.

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