The Armed Forces of the Philippines deploys personnel, vehicles and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief assets to Tarlac, Pampanga and Bataan to support local disaster response efforts following severe monsoon flooding.
Photographs courtesy of AFP
The Philippine Army deployed 15 military trucks carrying 269 soldiers over the weekend to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in flooded communities across Luzon, military officials reported Monday.
Col. Louie Dema-ala, Philippine Army spokesperson, said units dispatched responders to rescue families affected by widespread flooding in the provinces of Bataan, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga and Pangasinan.
Dema-ala added that an additional 2,406 soldiers, reservists and members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit, alongside 277 military trucks and 15 water assets, remain on standby for immediate deployment.
Army responders assisted local government units with sandbagging operations to mitigate flooding in low-lying areas and supported ongoing relief distribution.
Meanwhile, the 51st Engineer Brigade is monitoring water levels at the Marikina River for potential evacuation operations caused by monsoon rains.
Dema-ala stressed that response teams are coordinating closely with national government agencies and local authorities to aid affected communities.
The Philippine Air Force also deployed water search and rescue teams from its 505th Search and Rescue Group to Bacolor and San Fernando in Pampanga on Sunday.
Col. Ma. Christina Basco, Air Force spokesperson, said personnel collaborated with local disaster response units, army troops and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to execute rescue and evacuation missions.
She cited that the Air Force maintains its search and rescue capabilities, keeping personnel and equipment ready for additional missions.
In Metro Manila, the Army’s National Capital Region Command dispatched troops to Malabon and Marikina.
Soldiers from the 11th Civil-Military Operations Battalion provided manpower to distribute food packs at evacuation centers located in Potrero Elementary School, Bagong Lote Elementary School and Tinajeros Elementary School in Malabon.
Meantime, personnel from the 3rd Marine Rifle Battalion and the 11th Civil-Military Operations Battalion, alongside Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, also distributed relief food packs at Dampalit Elementary School Main.
Rescue teams from the 5th and 12th Civil-Military Operations Battalions provided assistance in the Marikina neighborhoods of Barangay Sto. Niño and Barangay Malanday.
