Army gears up for Typhoon Rolly rescue, relief missions in S. Luzon

The Calabarzon Region (outlined in red) (Image from Google Maps)

LUCENA CITY – The Philippine Army in the Southern Tagalog region is on standby and ready to extend assistance to affected residents as Typhoon Rolly (international name “Goni”) is expected to whip the region this weekend.

Captain Jayrald Ternio, head of the public affairs office of the Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry Division based in Tanay, Rizal, said the members of their Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) teams are still in areas that were recentlt devastated by Typhoon Quint (international name: Molave).

“Our troops are still there. We are closely connected with our local government unit counterparts in preparing for the upcoming Typhoon Rolly,” Ternio said in an online interview Saturday.

“What have we done so far for Quinta will continue until Typhoon Rolly will pass our areas,” he added.

Citing the directive of Major General Greg Almerol, commander of the Army’s 2nd ID, Ternio said the Army is prepared to support and use its full and available resources to help the people in all calamities “without compromising troop’s health, security, and safety from any other threats on the ground”.

Earlier, Almerol said a total of 419 soldiers and 91 military vehicles are on alert status and ready to be deployed for humanitarian and rescue missions in any part of the Southern Tagalog region, should the need arise.

But Almerol reminded the soldiers “not to lower their guards even while conducting humanitarian activities as calamities can be an opportunity for the New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists to further their plans in deceiving and terrorizing our people.”

Almerol said the members of HADR are also instructed to strictly observe minimum health standards to protect them from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

“It is part of preserving the force to keep them healthy and free from the contagious disease,” he explained.

State meteorologists forecast that by early Sunday morning, Typhoon Rolly will bring heavy and intense rains over Metro Manila, Bicol region, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), Central Luzon, Marinduque, and the northern portions Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro.

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