AFP orders units to activate disaster response teams in areas affected by ”Quinta”

October 26, 2020

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Gilbert Gapay directed  unit commanders in the areas affected by Typhoon ''Quinta'' to exercise precautions and activate their respective disaster response teams to assist the local government.

"AFP Chief General Gilbert Gapay has directed all AFP Ground Commanders in the path of TS 'Quinta' to exercise all precautions necessary to ensure safety of AFP personnel and equipment to include aircrafts, ships, and other key assets," Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman, said.

"They should be prepared to deploy and assist local government units and other relevant agencies in the preventive evacuation or force evacuation as may be needed by our countrymen. Commanders are also enjoined, that in such deployments, their personnel should adhere to minimum health protocol," he said.

"We urge our Kababayans to heed typhoon warnings. We ask them to leave for the evacuation centers in their localities and take advantage of AFP assistance before the situations get our of hand," he added.

As 12 pm of Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has recorded a total of  577 passengers, truck drivers, and cargo helpers; 473 rolling cargoes; 21 vessels; and 10 motorbancas stranded in Southern Tagalog, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas regions because of the typhoon.

"Moreover, 121 vessels and 51 motorbancas are taking shelter as a precautionary measure against possible threats of the tropical depression," said PCG.

Because of the weather disturbance "the PCG Command Center is on 24/7 nationwide monitoring to strictly implement guidelines on the movement of vessels during heavy weather."

"Meanwhile, Coast Guard districts, stations, and sub-stations across the country are on standby to respond on emergency situations, in coordination with local government units and disaster response teams," the PCG said. Robina Asido/DMS