Press Advisory re Humanitarian Mission in Isabela

LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)

Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Saturday, 24 October 2010

WHO: Philippine Navy Task Force Amianan Recovery

WHAT: Recovery, Relief and Rehabilitation Operation in Isabela

WHEN: 24 October 2010 @ 12 nn

WHERE: Commodore Divino Pier, Headquarters Philippine Navy, 2335 Pres M Roxas, Blvd, Manila

DETAILS:

Due to the extreme devastation brought about by super typhoon “Juan” in the country, specifically in the provinces of Isabela and Cagayan, and more particularly in the municipalities of Palanan, Maconacon and other neighboring coastal towns, that were practically flattened from typhoon, local government sought for help. Responding to the call, Lieutenant General Gaudencio S Pangilinan, Commander, Northern Luzon Command initiated the creation of a task force and called on the Philippine Navy units under his operational command to organized a task force. In that regard, Rear Admiral Danilo M Cortez, the Flag Officer In Command of the Philippine Navy organized a task force and designated Commodore Edgar Abogado, Commander of Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL), to be the Task Force commander.

The Naval contingent that comprises the task force will proceed to Isabela through a logistics support vessel, BRP Dagupan City (LC 551). Included in the task force are four naval combat engineering teams from the Naval Construction Brigade. Two teams will conduct vertical construction while the other two teams will conduct horizontal construction. Apart from that, 60-man rescue teams, under the operational control of NFNL, have been converted from rescue to recovery, relief and rehabilitation teams. Also included in the task force are BRP Alfredo Peckson (PG 372), a Navy aircraft, and three M35 trucks. A communications van that will serve as hub will also be included to link the different military units in the area since the communications was down.

Other concerned agencies, particularly the Department of Social Welfare and Development, moving from Metro Manila to Palanan, Maconacon and other neighboring coastal towns of Isabela will board LC 551 tomorrow.

Commodore Abogado initiated the coordination with other institution. As of press time, the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.’s Sagip Kapamilya committed 500 packs of assorted goods, 500 packs of clothes and bottled water for this mission.

In this regard, we are calling all benevolent institutions to help us in this humanitarian operation. Interested party may send their relief goods through the Philippine Navy for our brothers in Isabela. LC 551 will depart from the Navy headquarters at noon on Sunday, 24 October 2010 to Isabela.

This is our effort to help our needy fellow Filipinos in that devastated area. The Philippine Navy will serve as link between our people and those who want to help them. This is another manifestation that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Navy are dependable partners in nation building specially in this time of disaster and calamity and dependable partners in times of relief, rescue, rehabilitation and other difficult situation.

Interested parties may coordinate with LTJG LIEZL M VIDALLON PN at mobile telephone number 0916-242-9920 for other details.

Updates on Philippine Navy’s effort icow typhoon “Juan” as of 211200H Oct 2010

By LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)

Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Thursday, 21 October 2010

The Philippine Navy’s Disaster Response and Rescue Teams (DRRT) deployed in Northern Luzon had shifted from response and rescue operations to relief operations to bring basic needs to the local residents affected by typhoon “Juan”. Following are the updates from Naval Forces Northern Luzon as of 12nn, 21 October 2010:

• 40 families were rescued and evacuated from four (4) of 13 flooded barangays of Dagupan, Pangasinan to evacuation centers by Philippine Fleet DRRT and DSWD employees
• 136 people benefitted from the medical mission conducted in Malued Dagupan, and Bgy Binteng-Sapilag, Rosario, La Union
• The Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOU), acting on a tip from two townsfolk, retrieved the dead body of a drowning victim, Jannel M Flores, 9yrs old of Bgy Salisay, Dagupan City
• In coordination with the local TV Station of GMA in Dagupan City, distributed 40 sacks containing 400 packs of assorted goods in Bgy Talebaew, Calasiao, Pangasinan;
• In coordination with DSWD, distributed 2,000 packs of relief goods to evacuation center in Pangasinan.

Navy shift its operations from response and rescue to clearing and relief operations

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

Tuesday, 19 October 2010

The Philippine Navy (PN) shifts from disaster response, rescue and recovery operations to road clearing operations and relief operations as typhoon “Juan” leaves the Philippines leaving wreckage on its path.

Twenty-three PN Disaster Response and Rescue Teams (DRRT), with an aggregated composition of 250 regular and 200 reservists, were deployed in the affected areas of Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, Vigan, Narvacan and Candon City in Ilocos Sur, San Fernando, Bonuan, and Naguillan in La union. Five Navy vessels and an aircraft were also placed on standby for this operation: BRP Rajah Humabon (PF 11), BRP Dagupan City (LC 551), BRP Rizal (PS 74), BRP Alberto Navarrete (PG 394) and Diesel Fast Craft 317(DF 317) and Philippine Navy Islander (PNI) 320.

A team from Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL), in tandem with PNP, was deployed to Brgy Talogtog, Candon City, Ilocos Sur and started to distribute relief goods to families. Another team was also dispatched to Brgy Villarica and distributed relief goods to 41 individuals. Meanwhile, another team completed road clearing operations in Brgy Langlangca, Candon City.

Commodore Edgar Abogado, Commander, NFNL said that several DRRT were dispatched to respond to the call of the Department of Social Welfare and development (DSWD) and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) in the distribution of relief goods and in conducting assessment of the damage. Distribution of relief goods in Ilocos Sur and La Union are now ongoing. Initially, 14 barangays with 121 families in Ilocos Sur and 37 barangays with 1, 027 families in La Union benefit from the relief operations.


Medical personnel who are part of the PNART were already in evacuation centers to assess the situation and to provide necessary assistance. As soon as weather permits, PNI 320 will take off to conduct reconnaissance and assess the extent of damage brought by typhoon “Juan”.

Meanwhile, a rescue team from the Naval Education and Training Command in San Antonio, Zambales was dispatched around 4 PM today to Sitio Liwa-Liwa, San Felipe town. The 14-man team was equipped with 2 rubber boats with OBM and a trailer truck loaded with assorted life-saving paraphernalia. These include life vests, life rings, submersible pumps, portable generators, medical kits, and cutting tools.

The Philippine Navy continues to coordinate with the local government units in those areas to determine the needed preparation for the final phase of the operations, the rehabilitation phase.

Navy Rescue Teams Deploy to Cagayan, Ilocos Areas

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)

Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Monday, 18 October 2010

The Philippine Navy’s Disaster Response and Rescue Teams (DRRT) have been dispatched to areas in Cagayan and Ilocos regions this afternoon, 18 October 2010 as the alert level for “Juan” was raised to number 4. The rescue teams from the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) and Philippine Fleet will undertake rescue and relief operations and assist LGUs in that part directly to be hit by “Juan”.

One team each were dispatched to the following areas: Sta Ana, Cagayan; Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Vigan, Ilocos Sur; and Candon City, Ilocos Sur. These teams are composed of an aggregate total of five officers and 44 enlisted personnel. They are equipped with rubber boats with OBM and trailer trucks loaded with assorted life-saving paraphernalia. These include life vests, life rings, submersible pumps, portable generators, medical kits, and cutting tools. Meanwhile, four reserve teams are prepositioned in San Fernando, City, La Union along with two teams of Marines as force protection.

Navy rescue teams have also been dispatched to Wallace, Poro Pt, La Union; Naguilian, La Union; and Bonuan, La Union. Augmenting these teams are 80 naval reservists.

At 9 AM today, a 17-man team based at the Vigan Capitol proceeded to the NFA warehouse in Vigan to haul 50 sacks of rice. The goods will be transported to the Capitol for distribution to residents who will be affected by “Juan”. Said team has been dispatched to Laoag and will be replaced by another team from the NFNL Command based in La Union.

Two more rescue teams are on a standby at the Philippine Fleet Headquarters in Sangley Pt, Cavite City for deployment to any designated area upon signal from National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The Command is also organizing more teams as ready reserve and will be deployed as the need arises. Also on standby are two teams (with four officers and 24 enlisted personnel) based at the Naval Education and Training Command, Sn Antonio, Zambales.

Gaining lessons from last year’s experience with “Ondoy”, the Philippine Navy has upped the level of its preparedness in terms of training, new and better equipment, and coordination with local agencies. “I call on Filipinos to cooperate with the Navy and authorities in observing precautions,” said Rear Admiral Danilo M Cortez, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy. He added that heeding this call would not only keep Filipinos out of harms’ way but would also lessen the damage to properties and help local officials in responding during emergency situations.

Navy Disaster Response Task Groups On Heightened Alert for “Juan”

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)

Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Monday, 18 October 2010

The Philippine Navy’s Disaster Response Task Groups (DRTG) are on alert since yesterday, 15 October 2010 in preparation for Typhoon “Juan”. These DRTGs are prepositioned at the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) in La Union, Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NFSL) in Legaspi City, and the Fleet-Marine Ready Force’s task units in the Manila-Cavite areas.

In Northern Luzon, three teams are on standby with two teams located at the NFNL Headquarters. The third team at the Naval Detachment Bonoan is manned by naval reservists to augment the Navy’s regular force in the area. Each team has 10 personnel and equipped with a rubber boat and other life-saving equipment. Meanwhile, two teams are on standby at the Naval Education and Training Command, San Antonio, Zambales to respond to citizens in need.

Aside from these, three teams from NFSL are ready to be deployed to Camarines Sur and along the shorelines of Legaspi City. The Navy’s Patrol Gunboat 374 is all set to conduct rescue operations at Catanduanes and Albay if the need arises. Three other teams are also on alert at Infanta, Quezon with 10 Sailors and Marines per team. A team of Navy SEALS are also on standby. Augmenting these teams are naval ROTC cadets.

In Manila, two teams from the Naval Reserve Command (NRC), Intramuros are on standby with 10 personnel each team. They have prepared their rubber boats, trailer trucks, M35 trucks, and other life-saving equipment. Meanwhile, 20 naval reservists are also on standby in Navotas.

Four other teams under the operational command of FMRF are prepositioned at the Marine and Seabees Headquarters at Fort Bonifacio and Philippine Fleet, Cavite City. FMRF has a minimum of 10 teams and maximum of 20 teams depending on the gravity of disaster. These teams are made up of 24 officers and 159 enlisted personnel. Inventory of their equipment include the following: 9 rubber boats, 10 M35 trucks, 3 LARC, 2 ambulance, 1 amphibian truck, and 1 communications van.

The Philippine Navy is continuously monitoring events in relation to Typhoon “Juan”. Its rescue teams are prepared to help residents and local government units. It enjoins everyone to be vigilant and cooperate with local officials to ensure their safety.

Navy Rescue Teams Dispatched to La Union Today

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)

Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Monday, 18 October 2010

The Philippine Navy’s Disaster Response and Rescue Teams (DRRT) based in Manila and Cavite left for La Union today, 17 October 2010. The teams will augment the DRRT of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon Command (NFNL) to readily respond to residents in affected areas in the Northern Luzon region where Typhoon “Juan” is expected to hit the strongest.

Past 2 PM today, two DRRT from the Philippine Fleet were dispatched to NFNL. Fourteen officers and personnel on board an M35 truck brought along with them 2 rubber boats and several rescue equipment. Meanwhile two other teams from the Philippine Marines with 30 officers and personnel were also dispatched. The Marine rescue teams are equipped with two rubber boats, one dehaviland boat and other life-saving equipment.

Two other DRRT from Sangley Pt, Cavite City with 31 officers and personnel also left for La Union at 4:05 PM today. The teams carried a DRO Trailer loaded with rescue paraphernalia. The Philippine Fleet is also organizing additional rescue teams as reserve teams after PAGASA reported that “Juan” is even stronger than “Ondoy” that hit the country last year.

Also at 9 AM today, a 17-men team from the NFNL Headquarters was dispatched to Vigan, Ilocos Sur. The team is now prepositioned at the capitol awaiting deployment.

Since last Friday, 15 October 2010, the Philippine Navy has put its DRRT on alert status before “Juan” made a landfall. These DRRT were prepositioned in Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL), La Union, Naval Forces Southern Luzon, Legaspi City, and Manila and Cavite under the operational command of the Fleet-Marine Ready Force.

The Philippine Navy is continuously monitoring events in relation to Typhoon “Juan”. Its rescue teams are prepared to help residents and local government units. It enjoins everyone to be vigilant and cooperate with local officials to ensure their safety.

Disaster Response Task Groups ng Navy Nakaalerto Para kay “Juan”

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)

Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Saturday, 16 October 2010

Nakaalerto na simula kahapon, 15 October 2010 ang mga Disaster Response Task Groups (DRTG) ng Philippine Navy sa pagdating ng bagyong si “Juan”. Ang mga DRTG na ito ay nasa Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL) na nakabase sa La Union, Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NFSL) sa Legaspi City, at ang Fleet-Marine Ready Force (FMRF) na nakasasakop sa Metro Manila.

Sa Northern Luzon area ay may nakaantabay na tatlong teams na i-de-deploy pag kinakailangan. Dalawa sa teams na ito ay nasa NFNL Headquarters samantalang ang ikatlong team ay nasa Naval Detachment Bonoan. Ang team na ito ay kinabibilangan ng mga naval reservists na inaasahang ogmentasyon ng regular forces ng Philippine Navy. Kada team ay may 10 katao at may kanya-kanyang rubber boat at iba pang life-saving equipment.

Samantala, dalawa ring teams ang nakaantabay ngayon sa Naval Education and Training Command sa San Antonio, Zambales na handang tumugon sa ating mga kababayang maapektuhan ni “Juan”.

Bukod pa dito ay may tatlong teams ang nakaalerto ngayon sa Legaspi City na i-de-deploy sa Camarines Sur at shorelines ng Legaspi City. Ang barkong PG-374 ay handa ring i-deploy sa oras ng pangangailanga sa lugar ng Catanduanes at Albay. Mayroon din tatlo pang teams ang nakaalerto sa Infanta, Quezon na kinabibilangan ng 10 Sailors at Marines kada team. Katulong rin ng Navy sa Infanta ang mga naval ROTC cadets sa lugar. Kasama rin nila ang isang team ng Navy Seals.

Sa Maynila naman, nagsagawa ng preparasyon ang mga teams na nakabase sa Naval Reserve Command sa Intramuros. May dalawang teams na kinabibilangan ng 10 katao ang naghanda na ng kanilang rubber boats, trailer trucks, M35 trucks, at iba pang life-saving equipment. Bukod dito ay may 20 reservists ang naka-standby sa Navotas.

Apat namang teams sa pamumuno ng FMRF ang nakahanda ngayon sa PMC Headquarters at Seabees, Ft Bonifacio at Philippine Fleet, Cavite City. May minimum na 10 teams at maximum na 20 teams na kinabibilangan ng 24 officers at 159 enlisted personnel. Mayroon silang 9 rubber boats, 10 M35 trucks, 3 LARC, 2 ambulance, 1 amphibian truck, at 1 communications van.

Ang Philippine Navy ay patuloy na nagmomonitor sa magiging kaganapan kaugnay ng napabalitang Super Bagyo at handang tumulong sa ating mga kababayan. Hinihimok namin ang ating mga kababayan sa mga naturang lugar na maging mapagmatyag at makipagtulungan sa mga kinauukulan upang matiyak ang kanilang kaligtasan.

Philippine Navy is All Set for the Conduct of CARAT and PHIBLEX

By LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)

Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Wednesday, 06 October 2010

Sailors and marines of the Philippine Navy stand to benefit militarily in a nine-day training while civilians from Central Luzon stand to gain in humanitarian assistance and development projects American sailors and marines will undertake in tandem with their Filipino counterparts.

More than 3,000 sailors, marines, and aviators to include logistics support units of the US Navy and the US Marines have arrived for the exercises namely: CARAT and PHIBLEX. Around 6 US Navy vessels and 3 aircrafts participate in this annual event that involve five Philippine Navy ships and around 1,000-strong PN contingent of sailors and marines.

CARAT or Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training between ships and sailors of the two countries kicks-off 13th of October at Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority in Zambales and winds up in a closing ceremony on the 22th of October also in the same venue. It shall be comprised of "in-port" and "at-sea" training activities. Included in the "in-port" events are: Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, community service activities like medical/dental/engineering civic action and other humanitarian activities. Meanwhile, "at sea" events are comprised of Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure Procedure, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Maritime Surveillance, and Naval Gunfire Support, among others.

PHIBLEX or Amphibious Landing Exercise will involve American and Filipino marines and amphibious vehicles. A boat raid exercise will be held in Marine Base Ternate in Cavite and a mechanized raid will be had in the coast of Naval Education and Training Command in Zambales. It will commence on the 14th of October in an opening rites at Clark, Pampanga and closes on the 22nd of October at the Philippine Marine Corps Headquarters at Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown at the Naval Station Jose Francisco in Taguig City.

The exercises hope to attain inter-operability between the two armed services of both countries. Particularly, it seeks to bolster the inter-operability of the participating country's armed services in territorial defense in pursuit of our national defense strategy.

Statement of the Navy Spokesperson re Deferment of the Bidding of Two Multi-Purpose Helicopters

Tuesday, 05 October 2010

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

1. On the issue of alleged collusion: the Navy provided the technical specifications of the heli considering the peculiarities of Fleet-Marine operations that require those air assets. The specs originating from the inputs of the end users (like the Naval Air Group and the Sailors and Marines in the frontline) were submitted to higher headquarters thru channel-- passing through the Technical Working Group to Weapons Systems Board of the Navy-- all the way to similar offices at GHQ going to DND. It isn't possible to influence the specs to suit a particular manufacturer in that bottom-up process. Given the specs, there certainly are other companies who can comply, but the budget that the AFP has for the heli could be that major delimiting cause why other bidders may have backed out as in this case.

2. On the issue of the impact that the deferment would have in Naval operations: We hope that the issue can be resolved really soon. We have an acute need for air assets like helicopters. Right now, we do not have any helicopter. Considering the requirements we have for these helis in consideration, such as Search and Rescue, resupply, deployment of personnel during combat and counter-terrorism operations the need is urgent.

3. The Navy, however, defers to the decision of higher headquarters for a process that may be required for the procurement of these much-needed aircraft for the Naval Air Group.