Disaster relief operations are carried out by the Philippine Army in earthquake-affected communities.
The Philippine Army announced today that troops from its units located close to the areas struck by the magnitude 7 earthquake are now assisting public and private responders in relief operations and in cleaning important roadways damaged by landslides.
Army spokesperson, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, said the responding units are from the Isabela-based 5th Infantry Division and the Nueva Ecija-headquartered 7th Infantry Division.
"(The) 54th Infantry Battalion troops and one squad of CAFGU Active Auxiliary rescued stranded patients aboard an ambulance at Sitio Balawa, Barangay Liwon, Asipulo, Ifugao. The patients were promptly brought back to the Rural Health Unit of Barangay Antipolo, Asipulo, Ifugao," he said.
Residents of Barangay Poblacion Norte, Lidlidda, Ilocos Sur, received aid from the 71st Infantry Battalion troops, who also carried out rescue efforts.
Trinidad said "Army engineers from the 548th Engineer Battalion likewise cleared debris that blocked the Naguilian Road in La Union while the 72nd Division Reconnaissance Company helped evacuate village folk in coastal barangays of Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur."
He continued by stating that the 5th Infantry Division had sent out units and resources to help with disaster response to support the efforts being conducted by the national government to aid earthquake victims in the Cordillera and Cagayan Valley.
"Army units in Ilocos Region, Cordillera, and Cagayan Valley augmented their standby search, rescue, and retrieval teams as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the possibility of aftershocks," Trinidad said.
Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., the commander of the PA at the time, praised the Army's servant-soldiers for their prompt disaster reaction and aid to earthquake victims.
“Rest assured that the Philippine Army -- in close coordination with national government agencies, local government units, and private sector partners -- will work ‘round the clock to assist our fellow countrymen in quake-hit communities,” he added.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) also staged a send-off ceremony on Thursday for its officers who will carry out relief efforts in earthquake-affected regions of northern Luzon.
Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., the PNP OIC advised troops to exercise additional caution because aftershocks from Wednesday's earthquake are anticipated.
He also warned them of communist insurgents who might stage attacks if the situation allowed it.
"Ang problema natin sa Abra, hindi lang about natural disaster. It is also a known area of communist rebels kaya mag-ingat kayo dun. Ayokong mangyari ulit 'yung tao natin nagbibigay ng ayuda, babanatan na naman ng mga loko-loko dyan. Our people going to the area are unarmed. This is not a time for conflict. This is a time to help one another," he said.
In the meantime, the National Capital Region Police (NCRPO) declared that it is also prepared to deploy troops to support search and rescue (SAR) efforts in earthquake-affected areas.
Tags: #Relief Operation, #earthquake, #PhilippineArmy