By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has deployed disaster response personnel, vehicles and other humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) assets to flood-hit areas in Central Luzon and Metro Manila amid the continued effects of the southwest monsoon or “habagat”.
AFP disaster response teams were sent to Tarlac, Pampanga and Bataan on Saturday to assist local government units and disaster response agencies in rescue operations and the transport and distribution of relief supplies.
In Metro Manila, the AFP’s National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM), through the 12th Civil-Military Operations Battalion, conducted rescue and evacuation operations in flood-affected communities in Marikina and Caloocan also on Saturday.
In Barangay 176-A, Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, troops helped evacuate 74 families or 296 individuals to a safe area in Phase 4, and coordinated with barangay officials for the continued evacuation of residents at risk.
In Barangay 176-B, personnel, together with the Barangay Task Force, assisted residents in leaving their homes and proceeding to designated safe areas.
In Barangay Malanday, Marikina City, troops worked with local responders to evacuate residents to Malanday Elementary School and other evacuation centers
The AFP personnel also assisted in distributing food and 3,000 bottles of mineral water to families temporarily staying at Malanday Elementary School.
The AFP said its units remain on standby and continue to coordinate with local governments and other agencies while monitoring flooded areas, water levels and the need for further rescue, evacuation and relief operations.
It said the operations are part of its mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster response and support efforts to protect communities and save lives. (With Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)
