Military, police move to quake-hit areas for search, rescue operations

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines said it had deployed 14 search, rescue, and retrieval teams (SRR) to areas affected by the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Northern Luzon.

According to Army spokesman, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, 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.

Meanwhile, the 71st Infantry Battalion troops provided assistance and conducted rescue operations for residents of Barangay Poblacion Norte, Lidlidda, Ilocos Sur.

"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," Trinidad said.

Meanwhile, the AFP statement said the 24th Infantry Battalion (24IB) evacuated the patients in a hospital in Bangued, Abra.

The 71IB deployed personnel were tasked to rescue affected residents in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

The 54IB, 72nd Division Reconnaissance Company, 502nd Infantry Brigade, and CAFGU Active Auxillary units helped in road clearing, provided transportation assistance, and conducted search and rescue operations in different areas in Northern Luzon.

The military also directed the 525th Engineering and Construction Battalion, Philippine Army; 505th Search and Rescue Group of the Philippine Air Force; and the Naval Installation Command of the Philippine Navy to provide rescue teams to help in the rescue efforts in most affected areas in Northern Luzon.

Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr, Commander of the AFP's Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), has also ordered the utilization of one C208 aircraft for the aerial survey.

The AFP said soldiers continue the search, rescue, and retrieval operations while other units are helping the DSWD distribute relief goods to the affected populace.

The AFP leadership has ordered its units through NOLCOM to maximize the utilization of personnel, equipment, and other resources to support the humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts of the local and national governments in badly hit areas to alleviate the situation of the affected residents.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday held a send-off ceremony for its personnel who would conduct relief operations in earthquake-hit areas in northern Luzon.

PNP officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., reminded troops to take extra precautions as aftershocks continue to be felt.

He also cautioned them against communist rebels who might take advantage of the situation to stage attacks.

Source: TheManila Times