E. Mindanao Command deploys battalion to help in Leyte relief efforts

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 16): E. Mindanao Command deploys battalion to help in Leyte relief efforts

The Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Saturday that it has deployed a construction battalion to help in the ongoing search and relief efforts in "Yolanda"-battered Leyte province.

Capt. Alberto Caber, the unit's spokesperson, said the Eastern Mindanao Command contingent has been named Joint Task Force Tambayayong (JTFT II).

It can be recalled that a year ago, when typhoon "Pablo" hit the Davao region, the same carpenter-soldiers from JTFT repaired more than 700 houses, facilities, schools and chapels in the communities in the rehabilitation phase.

These soldiers are armed with hammers, craw bars, saws and other light construction equipment, Caber said.

The Task Force is organized for reconstruction works, search and rescue, and relief operations from the Army’s 4th and 10th Infantry Divisions, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, and Army Engineer units.

Medical volunteers from the Kiwanis International Division 7 and 8 also joined the troops as component of the said humanitarian mission.

The convoy has with them family food packs for distribution to the people in Leyte that came from donors in Davao. Some donors gave nails and large tarpaulins for temporary shelters.

Eastern Mindanao Command head Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III said that sending the JTFT II to Leyte will help the people in the affected communities construct shelters or repair partially damaged houses and facilities, clear roads to speed up entry of vehicles transporting relief goods and even recover missing persons.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=587468