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The army shifts operations from internal security to disaster response in the Bicol region, where Category 5 Typhoon Rolly (international name Goni) left a wide swath of destruction. NPAO
MANILA, Philippines – The military has shifted its internal security operations to disaster response in the Bicol region, where Category 5 Typhoon Rolly (international name Goni) left a wide swath of destruction.
Captain Jonathan Zata, head of public affairs for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said Joint Task Force Bicolandia had switched to “search, recovery and rescue operations mode.”
He said the “shift in focus” from internal security to disaster response meant that “all infantry battalions of the Philippine Army” in areas under the jurisdiction of the 9th Infantry Division in Bicol had been selected for the search, recovery and rescue in coordination with the local government. units.
Zata said AFP has deployed more than 5,000 men and 3,000 reservists and support forces for disaster response missions.
One C-130, two C-295 transport planes and five helicopters from the Philippine Air Force were assisting in the humanitarian mission in the Bicol region.
But AFP chief Gen. Gilbert Gapay said that while military operations in the region shifted to disaster response, all units were ready for possible attacks by communist guerrillas.
He also ordered increased intelligence monitoring to thwart enemy attempts to disrupt the government’s disaster response efforts.
The Philippine Navy’s Naval Security and Intelligence Group from Southern Luzon and Air Force Search and Rescue Group 505 carried out an aerial inspection at Catanduanes, which endured the brunt of Rolly.
The Army’s 903rd Brigade also carried out a separate typhoon damage assessment in Catanduanes and relief operations in Sorsogon. The 565th Construction Engineering Battalion has also begun relief operations in Camarines Sur.
TSB
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