Army unit, first responder in major quake events in MM

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 4): Army unit, first responder in major quake events in MM

The 525th Engineering Combat Battalion, which is based in Libis, Quezon City, is one of the first units being deployed by the Philippine Army (PA)in the event a major quake strike Metro Manila.

This was disclosed by PA spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato in an interview with the PNA.

"We have in Libis the 525th Engineering Combat Battalion (which) is dedicated as our humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) unit," he added.

An engineering battalion consists of around 500 to 1,000 officers and enlisted personnel.

It is equipped with a variety of bulldozers, backhoes and other heavy construction equipment.

The 525th Engineering Combat Battalion was one of the first military units deployed to Leyte during the aftermath of Supertyphoon "Yolanda" in Nov. 8, 2013.

Together with units of the Catbalogan-based 8th Infantry Division, the 525th Engineering Combat Battalion helped clear roads leading to Tacloban City and other parts of Leyte of debris.

Detoyato said that the 525th Engineering Combat Battalion is also be aided by other military units based in Metro Manila.

Aside from this, military dependents will also be playing a role in the HADR efforts.

"Our units in the National Capital Region are ready to move out and help. That's the reason why we already conducted a disaster preparedness training to our dependents here and around Fort Bonifacio so that in case of a disaster, they can also respond since the troops inside the camp will also respond outside," the PA spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, Major Emmanuel Garcia, 1st Civil Relations Group commander, said that Metro Manila military units will be reinforced by troops coming from the Armed Forces' Northern and Southern Luzon Commands.

"As per recent plans and earthquake drills, emanating from the West Valley Fault (which runs through Marikina, Pasig, and Muntinlupa) troops from NOLCOM and SOLCOM will reinforce military units in the National Capital Region," he added.

Aside from this, Garcia said that all military personnel, in an event of major calamity, are tasked to respond.

"There is a dedicated tasking per unit, specially those in NOLCOM and SOLCOM," Garcia pointed out.

An estimated 37,000 will be killed while another 300,000 will be injured and 10,000 to 14,000 structures are expected to be destroyed should a major earthquake hit Metro Manila, Garcia said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=768667