Saturday, October 3, 2009

Navy Deploys Rescue Teams as “Pepeng” Hits the Country

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

Saturday, 03 October 2009

Navy Disaster Response and Rescue Teams (DRRTs), anticipating worst case situation with “Pepeng” making a landfall in Northern Luzon, have been prepositioned in different areas needing immediate response in northern and southern Luzon including Metro Manila.

As of yesterday, 02 October 2009, Naval Forces Northern Luzon Commander Commo Jose Luis Alano has dispatched one DRRT prepositioned in Cagayan; two in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; one in Pangasinan; and two in Zambales. In Metro Manila, twelve DRRTs composed of 21 officers and 180 enlisted personnel established an Advanced Command Post in Minicipal Hall, Cainta, Rizal together with rescue teams from the Air Force and Army.

Monitoring and hearing PAG-ASA forecast on typhoon “Pepeng” that it will not hit Metro Manila, the Navy’s rescue teams in Metro Manila immediately shifted to relief operations for the victims of typhoon “Ondoy.”

As of press time, Captain Miguel Jose Rodriguez, Commander, Fleet-Marine Ready Force, and over-all in-charge of the Navy’s rescue teams led some 20 personnel of the Navy, together with Cainta Mayor Ramon Ilagan and Vice Mayor Arturo Sicat in distributing 4,500 packs of relief goods. The goods benefited flood-stricken families in the Greenwoods, Pag-ibig, and Mercedes Villages, and Sitio Arinda, all of Brgy San Juan, Cainta. Relief operations are ongoing in the area with ABS-CBN’s “Sagip Kapamilya.”

Meanwhile, one DRRT was dispatched to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte after residents alarmed the authorities of a possible landslide in the area. At 7:30 PM yesterday, 02 October 2009, another DRRT proceeded to the Parongking River, Brgy, Taliban, Calasiao, Pangasinan after receiving reports that a 13-yr old boy is missing and might have drowned in the river. Rescue operations are ongoing.

Commo Alano has directed the deployment of DRRTs to the following areas: Laoag, Ilocos Norte; Naval Base Camilo Osias, san Vicente, Cagayan; Aparri, Cagayan; Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao, Cagayan; Cabanatuan Heroes College, Balanga, Bataan; Northern Philippines College for Maritime Science and Technology, San Fernando City, La Union; and Naval Detachment Bonuan. Around 1,000 naval reservists in said areas have been alerted to assist Navy personnel during the conduct of rescue operations.

Also on high alert status are the two DRRTs of Naval Forces Southern Luzon composed of the following: 2 medical teams, 4 NAVSOU and 3 Reservist DRRT with a total of 8 officers and 39 enlisted personnel. The teams have 3 M35 trucks (6x6), 6 rubber boats with OBM, and 2 rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB).

Around 9:30 PM yesterday, 02 October 2009, the Navy together with composite elements from the PNP and other AFP units evacuated a total of 86 individuals from the San Pedro Relocation Center National High School to the Landayan Evacuation Center, San Pedro, Laguna. The evacuees included a pregnant woman, 68 children, and 17 adults. Fifteen sacks of relief goods were distributed to the evacuees around 10:30 PM.

Navy rescue teams have doubled up their preparation for typhoon “Pepeng.” Gaining lessons from “Ondoy’s” onslaught in Metro Manila and some areas in Luzon last week, Navy Chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez has directed unit commanders to preposition their rescue teams to areas where “Pepeng” is expected to hit.

Enemy Casualty in Latest Sulu Assault Climbs to 14; Fresh Troops to Arrive in Sulu

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

Friday, 02 October 2009

Confirmed enemy fatalities in the latest assault on a tank infantry convoy in Sulu yesterday, 01 October 2009 have climbed to 14 while another battalion of marines deploys in the island province to augment security forces.

Field reports reaching this Headquarters said that security forces have recovered two more bodies bringing the total to five from three in yesterday’s attack by armed men led by Khabir Malik on MBLT-11 post in Bitan-ag, Panamao town. Three bodies recovered by MBLT-11 were identified as: Al- Bashir Malik Jadjaie, reportedly a cousin and close-in aide of Ustadz Malik; Nidzmi Arkani Tahang; and Aswads Laguindin. Two more bodies, that of Darwin Hassan and Hamid Mudar Saipudin were later identified and reported by the PNP-Panamao.

Intelligence information recovered from residents in the area have reported that nine more attackers died when Marines from 311th Marine Company ferociously repulsed the aggressors in a foiled assault. Three of them were reported to be that of a certain Apek and a certain Apud (last names unknown), and one Murphy Siraje. Six more aggressors who died in the unsuccessful attack are undergoing identification.

MBLT-11 led by Lt Col Hernani Songano linked up with the EOD Team of the 2nd Marine Brigade in Brgy Seit, Panamao to detonate IEDs and clear the area from landmines when they were ambushed in Bitan-ag. The attack lasted for more than an hour.

Aside from the attack in Bitan-ag yesterday, unidentified armed men also harrassed the 26 MC detachment in Brgy Kagay, Indanan, Sulu. No casualties were reported during the incident.

Meanwhile, the AFP beefs up its troops conducting security operations in the island province as a battalion of marines with their implements boards Philippine Navy Vessel BRP Dagupan City (LC551). MBLT7 under the command of Maj Arnel Tolato will serve both as a deterrent and as a maneuver force. MBLT-7 based in Basilan province is tasked to prevent lawless groups from perpetrating lawlessness in downtown Jolo and reinforce Marine units in case of attacks.

Humanitarian and development projects remain primordial in the agenda of the Philippine Navy. Combat operations and law enforcement action had to be resorted to however so as to protect innocent civilians from the lawless groups that prey on peace-loving Suluanos. “The faster we get rid of these threat groups, the faster we revert to humanitarian and development projects to benefit the people of Sulu,” says Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy.

Media Release and Statement from Navy Public Affairs Office 01Oct 09

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

Thursday, 01 October 2009

Marines from 311th Company of MBLT 11 in Bitan-ag,Panamao, Sulu repulsed an attack by unidentified group of armed men.

In a field report by MGen Ben Dolorfino, CG, WestMinCom to VAdm Ferdinand Golez, Navy Flag Officer in Command, the incident that happened 1105AM of 01 October 2009 left 3 (body recovered) dead and scores others from the attackers wounded when the Marines ferociously engaged the enemy and fire support from government troops came.

The Navy leadership grieves the loss of an officer and the wounding of 9 other enlisted marines (names withheld). Recovered from the periphery are: A 90mm Recoiless Rifle (bazooka) with 4 live ammos and a spent shell; and two M16, AK-47, and one Garand rifle.

Fleet-Marine units in the area will remain vigilant and prepared to foil every assault in our units that defend the peace and security in that island province. There will be no let up in development endeavors in Sulu amidst the pursuit operations on-going against the perpetrators.(End).