The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has placed all units on red alert status as Super Typhoon ‘Uwan’ continues to threaten Northern and Central Luzon.
In a press conference at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRMC) Operations Center in Quezon City on Sunday, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military has fully activated its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations.
“All major service commands and unified commands have been mobilized to assist in rescue, relief, and recovery operations in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and local disaster risk reduction and management councils (DRRMCs),” Padilla said.
Padilla also noted that the AFP has activated Disaster Response Task Units (DRTUs) across all major services and unified commands.
Mobility assets, including trucks, rescue boats, communication equipment, and generators, have been pre-positioned in areas expected to be hit by the typhoon.
Currently, 243 Search, Rescue, and Retrieval (SRR) teams are deployed nationwide, supported by 81 assets. An additional 814 SRR teams and 536 SRR assets remain on standby for rapid deployment as conditions require.
Padilla added that military has mobilized its different regional commands.
Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) has deployed 64 SRR teams and 14 assets, with 414 teams and 267 assets on standby; Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) has 32 deployed teams and 8 assets, with 188 teams and 129 assets on standby; Visayas Command (VISCOM) has deployed 147 teams and 59 assets, providing logistical support for Luzon operations; and the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) has 34 teams and 30 assets on standby.
No unmanned aerial systems have been deployed yet but remain ready for reconnaissance once weather conditions permit, she added.
Further, Padilla noted the AFP is taking precautionary measures to secure personnel, facilities, and equipment, particularly in flood-prone areas.
“While preparing to support external relief operations, we are also undertaking precautionary measures inside our camps—securing facilities, personnel, and equipment, especially in flood-prone areas,” she said.
Critical communications and power systems are being reinforced to maintain uninterrupted command and control.
While air and naval units are on standby for deployment as soon as conditions allow safe operation.
Meanwhile, Padilla said the military’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) units are prepared to conduct search, rescue, retrieval, and evacuation missions.
Air assets are on alert for reconnaissance, transport of relief goods, and medical evacuation, she added.
“Joint maritime teams from the AFP and Coast Guard are monitoring coastal areas. We strongly advise our fisherfolk to avoid sailing due to hazardous sea conditions,” Padilla said.
She added. “The AFP’s primary focus is to support search, rescue, and retrieval operations, ensure community safety, and provide logistical support for relief distribution.”