AFP disaster response units on alert for ‘Tisoy’

FILE: Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday (May 6, 2019). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has alerted all of its humanitarian assistance disaster response (HADR) units to help in the government efforts to mitigate the effects of Typhoon ‘Tisoy’ (international name Kammuri).

“As the country braces for Typhoon ‘Tisoy’, different HADR units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are already on alert for the storm that is expected to bring frequent to continuous heavy rains in the Bicol and Southern Tagalog regions, Metro Manila, and some parts of Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas,” said AFP spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo in a statement to reporters Sunday.

This includes the AFP’s Southern Luzon Command’s (Solcom)’s disaster response task units from the 9th Infantry Division and the 2nd Infantry Division as well as those from its respective Air Force and Naval components.

“(All SolCom) are now on standby alert to effect or render assistance in possible preemptive evacuations and to adopt other contingency measures,” Arevalo said.

Arevalo added that HADR units are specifically trained and equipped to conduct search, rescue, and retrieval operations.

He added that AFP chief-of-staff, General Noel Clement, has activated the Battle Staff at the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City to monitor how the typhoon will impact on the ground and to render immediate assistance as needed.

Clement also ordered AFP units to coordinate closely with the national and regional offices of Civil Defense, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and local government to ensure forthwith responses whenever and wherever necessary.

“While we’re all hopeful and prayerful that there will be zero casualties, a lot depends upon the cooperation of everyone,” Arevalo added.

He also appealed to people in the areas that will be affected by “Tisoy” to evacuate when advised to do so before the onslaught of the typhoon — not at the time when the demands for assistance are high and the responders can only accommodate so many.

“Let us all cooperate to prevent casualties and minimize the damage of Typhoon ‘Tisoy’,” Arevalo added.