AFP mobilizes units for relief missions in Odette-hit areas
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday said its units are now conducting disaster response operations in areas badly hit by Typhoon Odette.
This is being done in close coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), AFP spokesperson, Army Col. Ramon Zagala, said.
“In close coordination with the NDRRMC, our disaster response operations are ongoing in areas that were and will be affected by Typhoon Odette. These include emergency preemptive evacuations, search and rescue, clearing, and transport assistance for the delivery of relief goods,” Zagala said in a statement.
With the AFP being the lead agency in the search, rescue, and retrieval cluster of the NDRRMC, Zagala said the military has already mobilized units from our regional commands to the battalion level to ensure the widest coverage possible.
“Air and naval assets are also on call and ready for deployment to support the national and local disaster risk reduction and management councils and other response clusters. Other units that are not in the typhoon’s path are also on standby to provide support when necessary,” he added.
Even with help on the way, Zagala also urged those who can extend assistance to their part for those affected by “Odette”.
“In this trying time, we enjoin those who can help to extend assistance in any way they can to those who are badly affected by this typhoon. Help is on the way and the AFP along with other government agencies are working 24/7 to reach those who are in need,” he added.
In a briefing on Friday noon, NDRRMC operations center chief, Joe-mar Perez, said initial reports indicated that Western Visayas has some 5,864 affected families or around 17,238 persons.
He added that they have yet to receive reports of casualty, if any, for the region even as Western Visayas recorded power interruptions in Negros Occidental, Guimaras, portions of Antique, and parts of Capiz, Aklan, and Iloilo.
