PH military shifts focus on relief in flooded North Luzon areas

Military personnel of 5th Infantry Division and the Philippine Air Force deliver food supplies to isolated communities of Amulung and Alcala in Cagayan on Nov. 16, 2020. AFP-PAO

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine military in Northern Luzon is shifting focus on operations related to Typhoon Ulysses from search and rescue to relief, according to the highest ranking military official in the region on Monday (Nov. 16).

Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Burgos Jr., in a statement, said an aerial survey showed there were “no more civilians stranded on roofs and other danger zones” in flooded areas in Cagayan Valley.

Release of water from the Magat Dam reservoir at the height of Ulysses is being blamed for the massive flooding in Cagayan and Isabela provinces, which sent thousands of residents climbing to their rooftops as they sought higher ground.

“The delivery of goods is now your soldiers’ top priority,” Burgos said. But the military in the region, he said, remained “ready to respond and perform rescue missions should the situation deem it necessary.”

Military aircraft were put on standby for reconnaissance, delivery of essential items to isolated areas and emergency medical evacuation.

Burgos said nongovernment organizations had reached out to the military expressing intent to donate food, water and clothing for the flood victims.

Relief packages were expected to arrive from Manila aboard the Philippine Navy’s logistics ship, BRP Davao del Sur, he said.

A total of 32 search and rescue teams and several water search and rescue teams were deployed to Cagayan and Isabela due to the widespread flooding, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a separate statement.

Two UH-1H Hueys, two Bell-412 helicopters, two C-295 transport planes and a C-130 heavy lift aircraft were also helping in disaster response and relief missions.

Edited by TSB