AFP chief says security ops continue amid Egay relief efforts

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 31, 2023): AFP chief says security ops continue amid Egay relief efforts (By Priam Nepomuceno)

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (File photo)

MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said internal security operations against the remaining New People's Army (NPA) insurgents continue while military troops are engaged in humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) missions for communities severely affected by Typhoon Egay and the southwest monsoon.

"Bagamat tumutulong po tayo yung tinatawag po natin na HADR, with all the core competencies ng AFP, pero hindi po natin pinababayaan ang seguridad ng ating bayan, unang una po in terms of internal security, tuloy tuloy ang ating operations lalong lalo laban sa mga communist terrorists dahil po yung mga nakaraang kalamidad nakita natin na they take advantage itong situation na ganito (While we are helping with HADR, with all the core competencies of the AFP, we are not neglecting the security of our country, especially in terms of internal security. Our operations, especially those aimed at communist terrorists, as these groups, during past calamities are shown to take advantage of these times," he added in a radio interview Sunday.

Brawner was referring to past incidents where AFP units or troops were ambushed by NPA insurgents while conducting HADR missions as the rebels attempt to snatch away relief goods from government troops.

PAF holds relief ops in Ilocos Norte

As this developed, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) deployed two S-70i "Black Hawk" combat utility helicopters to deliver food packs, medicines and other essential items to the municipalities of Adams and Vintar in Ilocos Norte last July 28.

"The mission was accomplished through the efforts of the PAF's Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon (TOWNOL), Tactical Operations Group 1 (TOG 1), along with several personnel from 4th Marine Brigade of the Philippine Marine Corps and local Government Agencies of Ilocos Norte," PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said in a statement Sunday.

On July 29, Castillo said TOG 1 in cooperation with the Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Logistics Cluster, transported the second batch of food and non-food items, which included shelter repair kits, family food packs, hygiene kits, and water filtration units for affected communities in Abra.

She added that these items were facilitated by the Office of Civil Defense - Cordillera Administrative Region and delivered to the affected communities in the province.

PH Navy dispatches rescue teams to Northern Luzon

As this developed, the Philippine Navy (PN), through the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL), deployed 27 disaster response and rescue teams (DRRTs) from July 24 to 28 to help affected communities in Northern Luzon.

Navy spokesperson Captain Benjo Negranza said four of these DRRTs came from Naval Station Ernesto Ogbinar, 17 from the 4th Marine Brigade, one from Naval Base Camilo Osias, and five from Naval Reserve Units in Northern Luzon.

These units were deployed to the NFNL'S area of responsibility in different municipalities and barangays of Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.

These DRRTs were able to evacuate more or less 140 civilians in Gonzaga and Mira Cagayan on July 25; and rescued more than 50 families in Vigan City, Bantay Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, and delivered 6,500 boxes of relief goods in Laoag, Ilocos Norte on July 27.

As of July 28, these DRRTs are actively engaged in search and rescue operations in the flood-stricken areas of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and Abra.

"Furthermore, the Navy has provided assistance in lifting an overturned vehicle in Vigan, and transportation of relief goods to Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur. Moreover, the NFNL and the 4th Marine Brigade's rescue teams, in coordination with local government units, have delivered relief goods to residents in Laoag, Ilocos Norte," Negranza said.

Also, NFNL rescue teams have been involved in repackaging and distributing relief goods in Vigan City, particularly at Gazebo, Bulala.

"Further coordination i(s) being made with the local government for the packing of relief goods to be distributed to affected households," Negranza said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1206770