Soldiers activate Task Group Diamond Response

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 11): Soldiers activate Task Group Diamond Response

The 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division activated the Task Group Diamond Response with its command post at the Division Grandstand on December 3 a day before the typhoon made landfall. All the soldiers at 4ID headquarters were reorganized to act as manpower of the task group to provide disaster response and rescue operation to the affected areas caused by typhoon “Pablo” in the division area of responsibility, particular in Cagayan de Oro City and other nearby cities and municipalities of Misamis Oriental. Lieutenant Colonel Rene R. Cañete headed the Task Group which directly supervised the deployment of disaster response teams to different parts of the city and other nearby cities and municipalities.

To synchronize the efforts of the Division with the city and the province, Captain Christian C. Uy, liaison officer of the Task Group Diamond Response was positioned at the Command Center of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) at the City Tourism Office who relayed the updates on the typhoon upon which deployment were based.

Days before the typhoon, 4ID in coordination with CDRRMC identified critical areas and residents were forced to evacuate to the pre-designated evacuation centers. Among the identified barangays were: Balulang, Carmen, Kauswagan, Macasandig, Nazareth, baraygany 1, 6, 7, 10, 13, 15, 7, 18, 23, 25, Isla Cupa, Isla Bugnao, Macabalan, Bulua, Bonbon, Bayabas, Lapasan, Gusa, Cugman, Tablon, Agusan, Puerto, Bugo, FS Catanico, Iponan, Tumpagon, Tuburan, Pigsag-an, Taglimao, Pagalungan, San Simon, Baikingon, Canitoan, Pagatpat, Iponan, and Puntod.

Typhoon Pablo brought heavy rains and winds over Cagayan de Oro City and the whole of Misamis Oriental in the early morning of December 4. Disaster Response Rescue Operation Teams of “TG Diamond Response” were deployed with rubber boats and rescued families trapped by floods at Macasandig, Macanhan and other parts of Cagayan de Oro.

Other teams were also deployed to various floods and landslide-prone areas. One platoon was sent to Barangay Iponan to monitor the rising water level of the river and further gave immediate assistance to the residents trapped by the floods. Another platoon was sent to El Salvador City to provide man power assistance and rescued 61 families trapped by the floods at Zone 1, Barangay Taytay. Other teams rescued the stranded residents at Zone 1, Barangay Bonbon, Cagayan de Oro City. Other DRRO teams were sent to Valencia City in Bukidnon to augment Division Task Unit “Peacemaker” to provide rescue and retrieval operations to flood survivors.

Major General Nestor A Añonuvo AFP, commander, 4ID said, “As of this time the Task Group Diamond Response is still active and ready to respond as need arises. Your soldiers are here to cater to your needs, we will assist you in any way possible especially during this time that natural calamity hits our area.” “I ordered my troops to be prepared to extend their services to our fellow Filipinos particular to the victims of the typhoon Pablo, rescue operation may have seized but the relief and rehabilitation operation is still on going,” Major General Añonuvo added. (4CMO/4ID/PA/PIA10)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1461355210116