Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Improvement still needed in AFP disaster response efforts

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 23): Improvement still needed in AFP disaster response efforts

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla admitted there is still room for improvement in the military's efforts to effectively respond to natural calamities of great magnitude.

He made this statement shortly after 2nd Metro Manila Shake Drill and National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill Wednesday where the AFP deployed considerable assets to ensure that the exercises were realistically as possible.

Padilla gave the AFP a grade of 90 percent in its "readiness state" but said these can be further perfected in the coming drills.

The latter refers to the capability to respond effectively and quickly on emergecies.

In Wednesday's earthquake drills, the AFP deployed three AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters for damage assessment, six UH-IH air ambulances for transport of critical injured individuals to safe zones, and its premier humanitarian disaster relief unit, the Libis, Quezon City-based 525th Engineering Combat Battalion for urban search and collapsed structure rescue missions.

The six UH-IH air ambulances came from Joint Task Group-National Capital Region, Southern and Northern Luzon Commands.

These assets were deployed to highlight AFP rescue efforts should a massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake strike Metro Manila.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=897831

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