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.