Troops in ‘Rolly’ response missions told to be vigilant vs. Reds

(Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office)

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has ordered troops to be on alert against possible attacks and atrocities by communist terrorist groups (CTGs) even as they are busy with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions in areas affected by Super Typhoon Rolly.

“Despite the focus on disaster response operations, (AFP chief-of-staff) Gen. Gilbert Gapay directed all units in affected areas to be on alert for possible atrocities that may be conducted by the CTG,” said AFP public affairs office chief, Navy Capt. Jonathan Zata, in a statement Monday.

He added that Gapay has also ordered for intensified intelligence monitoring to thwart enemy attempts to disrupt HADR efforts.

“Rest assured that the AFP will continue to keep its guards up against the CTG who are expected to take advantage of this disaster to regroup, flee on-going military operations, and even stage atrocities,” Zata said.

All units of the AFP in areas affected by Super Typhoon Rolly are already on heightened HADR stance and are assisting local government units and national agencies in responding to the needs of affected communities.

“The AFP has already started conducting damage assessment operations in several hard-hit areas including in Catanduanes, Legazpi, Camarines provinces, and Northern Samar,” Zata said.

One C-130 heavy transport and two C-295 aircraft have also been committed for the transport of additional personnel, equipment, and supplies to the Tactical Operations Group 5 in Legazpi City, Albay to augment the military disaster response units in the Bicol region.

Five helicopters are also being used for aerial reconnaissance, evacuation, and transport of relief goods.

“The whole of JTF (Joint Task Force) Bicolandia is on search, retrieval, and rescue operations (SRR) mode. With the shift of focus from internal security operations to disaster response, all infantry battalions of the Philippine Army in the 9th ID (Infantry Division) area of responsibility were also tapped to conduct SRR (search, rescue, retrieval) in support to the LGUs (local government units),” Zata said.

This includes the 31st Infantry Battalion in Sorsogon, 49th Infantry Battalion in Guinobatan, 2nd Infantry Battalion in Masbate, 83rd Infantry Battalion in Virac, 9th Infantry Battalion in Camarines Sur, and 91st Infantry Battalion in Camarines Norte.

More than 5,000 active duty personnel and 3,000 reservists and auxiliary forces were initially deployed for HADR missions in hard-hit areas with augmentation coming in from AFP units in less affected areas.