CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City—The Armed Forces of the Philippines deployed 14 search, rescue, and retrieval teams (SRR) to areas affected by the 7.3-magnitude earthquake that hit Northern Luzon yesterday, July 27.
Since yesterday, the 24th Infantry Battalion (24IB) has helped evacuate the patients in a hospital in Bangued, Abra. 71IB deployed personnel to rescue affected residents in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. 54IB, 72nd Division Reconnaissance Company, 502nd Infantry Brigade, and CAFGU Active Auxillary units helped in road clearing, provided transportation assistance, and conducted search and rescue operations in different areas in Northern Luzon.
The military also directed the 525th Engineering and Construction Battalion, Philippine Army; 505th Search and Rescue Group of the Philippine Air Force; and the Naval Installation Command of the Philippine Navy to provide rescue teams to help in the rescue efforts in most affected areas in Northern Luzon.
Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr, Commander of the AFP's Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), has also ordered the utilization of one C208 aircraft for the aerial survey since yesterday.
Today, soldiers continue the search, rescue, and retrieval operations while other units are helping the DSWD distribute relief goods to the affected populace.
The AFP leadership has ordered its units through the Northern Luzon Command to maximize the utilization of personnel, equipment, and other resources to support the humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts of the local and national governments in badly hit areas to alleviate the situation of the affected residents.
