Navy Rescues Hundreds as “Ondoy” Lashes at Luzon

LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Sunday, 27 September 2009

Philippine Navy rescue teams rescued hundreds of residents at the height of typhoon “Ondoy” yesterday, 26 September 2009.

As floodwaters continued to rise in Metro Manila and some Luzon areas due to non-stop rains, Navy Chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez activated the battle staff at Ft Bonifacio to have personal supervision of the Navy’s rescue efforts not only in the CAMANAVA area, but also in areas outside of Manila and Cavite. Joining Vice Admiral Golez are Rear Admiral Feliciano A Angue, Chief of Naval Staff and other central staff officers who established direct communication with the Navy rescue teams in the areas.

In Metro Manila, Navy teams rescued residents whose homes were submerged in floods and passengers who were stranded: 17 from the rooftop of Brgy Hall, Montevista, Marikina City; 5 persons stranded at floodway Crispa, Pasig to Riverside Village, Cainta; 150 from Navotas; 40 from Jose Abad Santos, Tondo; and 750 from Espana, Manila.

Navy rescue teams from different units are composed of the following: Philipine Fleet- 18 SEALs and 28 enlisted personnel (EP) equipped with 3 rubber boats, 1 M35 truck, and 1 trailer truck; Philippine Marine Corps- 1 Officer; 30 EP with 1 rubber boat, 2 M35 trucks, 1 DRR Trailer truck, and additional PMC supplement with 1 M35 truck, 1 van type truck; Bonifacio Naval Station team- 20 Officers, 8 EP, 1 M35 truck, and 2 rubber boats.

A Naval Detachment based in Infanta, Quezon of Naval Forces Southern Luzon evacuated 43 personnel from Brgy Banglos to an evacuation center in Gen Nakar, Quezon. The Navy team also assisted the NDCC in distributing relief goods to victims of flash floods in Brgy Ilog, Infanta. Two rescue teams from Naval Forces Northern Luzon were dispatched to Sta Maria and Bustos towns in Bulacan composed of 5 Officers, 31 EP, and 8 reservists with 2 M35 trucks and 2 rubber boats.

As of this morning, four rescue teams from the Naval Education and Training Command based in San Antonio, Zambales are set for deployment to conduct SAR operations in flooded towns. The teams have coordinated with the LGUs of the affected areas.

The Navy rescue teams are now concentrating their efforts in Cainta, Rizal, Pasig, and Provident Village, Marikina, which are the most affected by typhoon “Ondoy.” Also this morning, a SEAL and Marine team rescued 120 residents of Provident Village, Marikina while another team rescued a 65-year old woman from Brgy Tumana. Rescue operations are still ongoing.

Vice Admiral Golez has directed all Navy units in Luzon areas to dispatch their respective rescue teams for the conduct of SAR operations and assist concerned LGUs in their relief efforts. Disaster Rescue and Response Operations (DRRO) teams are integrated into naval commands all over the country to respond to any emergency situation where well-equipped and trained Navy teams are prepared to undertake rescue and rehabilitation missions.