DWDD: AFP Camps Damaged, Deploys Personnel Assets in NIÑA Devastated Area

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Dec 27): AFP Camps Damaged, Deploys Personnel Assets in NIÑA Devastated Area



CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City—Several camps and outposts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were themselves severely damaged by Typhoon “Nina” that battered the provinces of Bicol and Southern Tagalog Regions including , Eastern Visayas, MIMAROPA, the National Capital Region, and the rest of Central Luzon.

According to Public Affairs Office Chief Colonel Edgard A Arevalo, initial damage reports from the units of the 9th Infantry Divison posted in some areas of Quezon Province and Bicol Region reported that eight patrol bases were severely damaged while 12 others were partially damaged by the typhoon. All the floating assets of the Naval Forces Southern Luzon, meanwhile, were safe in the areas where they sought refuge.

“Report receive indicate that the 83rd Infantry Battalion headquarters in Camarines Sur and a company headquarters under the 22nd Infantry Battalion were totally damaged by the typhoon, although no casualties on government troops was recorded,” Col Arevalo said.

In anticipation of the onslaught of the Typhoon meanwhile, the Southern Luzon Command ordered the prepositioning of disaster response units and medical teams at disaster prone areas to ensure the quick delivery of assistance when needed.

“SOLCOM was already on heightened alert status even prior Christmas Day in anticipation of Typhoon “Nina”. This placed all personnel and equipment on standby for the conduct of humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations,” Col Arevalo added.

Various AFP units including the 203rd IB, 503rd IB, 810th IB, and 202nd IB among others are currently assisting local government units in road clearing, relief, and evacuation operations.

“These are initial damage assessment reports. We are expecting updates from other forward deployed AFP units to come in. These are available information as at press time the delays owing to the communications issues,” Col Arevalo said.

“Amidst the devastation in some AFP camps, the soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines remain steadfast and are still prepared to discharge its duties and responsibilities. They have prepared for this eventuality 3-4 days prior the onslaught of “Nina” and thus were able to respond to the call for help of our people although they were victims as well, concluded Arevalo.

Meanwhile, AFP Chief of Staff LtGen Eduardo M Año lauded the troops for their foresight and for rising to the occasion. He expressed elation that the soldiers were on their toes and are of help when needed –on or before Christmas Day.

“Our units ‘celebrated’ Christmas Day under severe weather conditions.

“As expected of them, they manifested their preparedness for any disasters and calamities borne of their continuing training in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and rehabilitation operations.

No one desires that this readiness be applied, but must –as they did– efficiently and effectively discharged when situations like this call for it,” LtGen Año said.

“Our people can count on their soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines to assist local government’s disaster and relief teams in responding to the people’s call for help.

“The AFP will be a reliable partner in capacitating the local government and their constituents to weather the storms”, concludes LtGen Año.

http://dwdd.com.ph/2016/12/27/afp-camps-damaged-deploys-personnel-assets-in-nina-devastated-area/