AFP mobilized for rehab, relief efforts

Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The military has started to mobilize its assets and personnel for rehabilitation and relief efforts in areas worst hit by Ruby (international name Hagupit).

“May dalawa pong C-130 na lumipad. Yung isa po ay galing sa Palawan. Ito po ay lumipad alas-nuwebe…Open na po yung Borongan airport para makapagdala ng mga disaster response team at saka makapagdala po ng mga relief goods,” Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said in a press briefing.

Another C-130 took off in Zamboanga for Cebu to load relief goods and then head for Borongan.

The first C-130 that landed in Borongan will fly to Cebu to fetch disaster workers and get relief goods.

“Ang Catarman ay bukas na rin po. Ang Guiuan airport ay kasalukuyang kini-clear para maging open na rin po siya for disaster response capabilities,” Catapang said.

Catapang, NDRRMC Chairman Voltaire Gazmin and other heads of government agencies were supposed to fly to Eastern Samar but their flight was canceled due to bad weather.

Soldiers have also been deployed to help out in clearing operations.

Eastern Visayas was hardly hit by Ruby, which took almost the same path of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) last year. Ruby was nearly as strong as Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) in 2012 when it first made landfall but as of midday Monday, it was already downgraded to a tropical storm.

Meanwhile, three Navy ships are also set to deliver relief goods to areas affected by Ruby.

BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-36) with 33 tons of assorted relief goods would be sailing to Cuyo, Magsaysay and Agutaya Islands in northern Palawan. It is currently docked at Puerto Princesa, said Lieutenant Commander Marineth Domingo of Naval Public Affairs Office.

The BRP Dagupan City (LC-551) docked in Sangley Point in Cavite will be headed for Romblon and Oriental Mindoro while BRP Benguet (LT – 507), docked in Captain Veloso Pier in Mactan Cebu, will head for Tacloban.