Nothern Luzon Command units alerted for 'Vinta'

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 31): Nothern Luzon Command units alerted for 'Vinta'

With Typhoon "Vinta" threatening most of extreme Northern Luzon, military units in the area have been placed in alert to deal with possible adverse effects the weather disturbance will cause.

Major Emmanuel Garcia, 1st Civil Relations Group commander, said that all disaster response and rescue units (DRRU) in the Northern Luzon Command have been alerted in case the need arises.

Aside from this, two disaster response teams (DRT) of Naval Forces Northern Luzon in Sta. Ana, Cagayan were placed on standby while another team is now at Office of Civil Defense Region 2 base in Tuguegarao, Cagayan for monitoring.

Garcia said that the 5th Infantry Division has tasked its line units and respective DRT to be ready for deployment.

"5th Infantry Division troops in coastal town of Maconacon and those near Divilacan Bay has shifted focus from election duty to disaster response operations (DRO) mode including CAFGU Active Auxillary, engineer units and civil military operations battalion troops currently constructing (a) school-building project with ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya in that area," he added.

While the 21st Infantry Battalion based in Alcala, Cagayan has deployed the following:

-one platoon as DRT and one military truck in Aparri;

-one company as DRRU and two military trucks in Sta. Teresita;

-on DRT in Ammulong; one DRT and two vehicles in Iguig; and one company as DRRU with seven vehicles in Alcala ready for dispatch anywhere in Cagayan.

Garcia added that the 41st infantry Battalion which is based in Abra has put its DRTs on standby.

Likewise, the 17th Infantry Battalion in Kalinga placed its DRTs on alert likewise, units in Apayao are now on standby for possible DROs.

Garcia added that civil-military operations company in Mt. Province is now alerted for DROs missions.

"The 7th Infantry Division has likewise put DRRUs of its line units directly on the typhoon track on alert status for DROs. The 81st Infantry Battalion in Ilocos Norte has activated its DRTs and are on standby. All other units in NOLCOM AOR not on the direct path of the typhoon has standby DRT to reinforce if need arise," he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=582131