Catapang warns against climate change and ‘new, fiercest enemies’ it brings

A young girl walks amid ruins of houses in a neighborhood badly affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) in Guiuan, Samar, on Nov. 15, 2013. AP

MANILA, Philippines—Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. on Wednesday called on citizens to be “united” in facing “climate change” as the natural disasters it brings “are our new and fiercest enemies”.

“Climate change and the natural disasters that they bring are our new fiercest enemies. We must all be united to face them,” Catapang said in a speech during his visit to Guiuan in Eastern Samar.

Guiuan was one of the hardest hit area by Supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that struck Central Visayas in 2013. It was considered the strongest storm in recent history and killed thousands and displaced millions.

Catapang visited Guiuan to lead the handover of motorized fishing boats to the victims.

The P3 million boat project was funded by Metrobank Foundation with the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, Civil Relations Service and TOPSOLDIERS.

A total of 150 motorized fishing boats were turned over to fisherfolks in the towns of Lawaan, Balangiga, and Guiuan, which hosted a secret US Naval base in World War II.

Even when he was commander of the Northern Luzon Command, Catapang recognized the need to address “new enemy on the horizon” like climate change and natural disasters. Frances Mangosing

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