The Philippine Army, the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Coast Guard in the Negros Island Region have mobilized personnel to Cebu to assist in disaster response operations following Tuesday’s magnitude 6.9 earthquake that left a trail of devastation in Bogo City and other areas.
Brig. Gen. Jason Jumawan, commander of the Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, said initial troops from the Joint Task Group-Cebu (JTG-C) were deployed Oct. 1.
“The JTG-C is under our operational control and we have sent troops from the 14th Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion yesterday,” Jumawan said.
Additionally, one Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) team from the 53rd Engineering Brigade was also deployed.
Jumawan said more personnel from battalions under the brigade in Negros Oriental are scheduled to depart either last night, or this morning. He assured that the Army’s troop deployment to Cebu will not hamper anti-terrorist operations in Negros.
The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO) said it is sending 38 personnel from its Provincial Mobile Force Company.
Lt. Stephen Polinar, NOrPPO spokesperson, assured that regular police operations will continue across the province.
For its part, the Philippine Coast Guard District Southern Visayas (PCGDSV) sent 20 emergency response personnel to Cebu.
Lt. Marionne Abigail Enopia, commander of the Coast Guard Negros Oriental Station, said the deployed personnel are from the CG stations in the Negros Island Region and are fully trained on emergency response and disaster relief.
Meanwhile, a composite team from the National Capital Region, led by the private power firm First Gen-Energy Development Corporation, also deployed to Bogo City. The team arrived yesterday aboard an Air Force C-130 aircraft at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
Team leader, Dr. Ted Esguerra, told the Philippine News Agency that their group is a classic example of government and private sector partnership working together to respond to emergencies.
The multi-agency group includes doctors, nurses, emergency management technicians and responders from the First Gen-EDC, Makati Rescue, React, Makita Rescue Tools, Wilderness Search and Rescue Philippines, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, among others. ||
