Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana stated on Saturday that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) cargo plane, the two Lockheed C-130 “Hercules” cargo aircraft and 10 helicopters will be deployed for Typhoon Ompong relief and rescue efforts, particularly in Cagayan Valley, once the weather clears.
According to the statement of Sec. Lorenzana during a 9 a.m. press briefing presided by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque that was held at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The DND noted that the two C-130s can airlift relief goods while the 10 helicopters can reach Cagayan Valley's mountainous area to fulfill rescue missions in the affected areas.
The defense chief said these air assets are on standby at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City and could fly anytime once the weather improves in the areas of their operations in the next few days. Troops are also available in Cagayan and other affected provinces for rescue missions.
PAGASA already reported that Bagyong Ompong made a landfall at Baggao, Cagayan. The DND, Office of the Civil Defense, NDRRMC, DSWD, DPWH and other agencies are still waiting for damage reports cause by Ompong from the Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos regions.
“Base sa sinabi ng PAGASA kanina, malakas pa din ang bagyo dyan kaya yun atin mga members ng NDRRMC ay hindi pa makapag-gala at makapag-assess ng damage. In fact, yun atin mga kasundaluhan ay handang tumulong sa mga nangangailangan ng tulong," (Based on what PAGASA reported earlier, the typhoon is still being felt in these areas, preventing our NDRRMC members to go around and to assess the damage. In fact, our soldiers are ready to extend help,” Lorenzana said.
Northern Luzon Command head, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, is in Tuguegarao, Cagayan managing efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines related to “Ompong”, along with the NDRRMC and Office of Civil Defense.
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