AFP deploys disaster response units to 'Yolanda' battered provinces

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 8): AFP deploys disaster response units to 'Yolanda' battered provinces

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has deployed its disaster response task units (DRTUs) to provinces in the Visayas and Southern Luzon which were badly-battered by Supertyphoon "Yolanda".

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP public information office chief, said these DRTUs were taken from the Central and Southern Luzon Command.

He also said that AFP chief-of-staff Gen Emmanuel T. Bautista has ordered both military commands to prioritize disaster response efforts and make available all of its air and naval assets for immediate assessment of damage; rescue, and transport operations.

Bautista also instructed other area commanders and their DRTUs to support humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) efforts when requested.

Helicopters and C-130 cargo aircraft are also on standby for relief transport, rescue, and damage assessment operations.

AFP units are also supporting on-going evacuations led by the Office of Civil Defense and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils in Visayas and Southern Luzon.

As of Friday morning, a total of 8,384 families or 45,077 persons were already evacuated in various shelters in Bohol, Cebu, and Leyte.

The AFP Central Command also tapped its units including the 3rd Infantry Division, 8th Infantry Division, Joint Task Force 7, 2nd Air Division, Naval Forces Central, and the 53rd Engineering Brigade for deployment, ready for HADR operations as soon as the weather permits.

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