The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains relentless in its search, rescue, and relief distribution efforts for the victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, particularly in the Bicol region.
Simultaneously, preparations are underway for Super Typhoon Leon, which is moving closer to Batanes.
“We have deployed 28 squads, around 1,409 teams, and 3,176 assets from the armed forces together with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP),” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla stated in a press briefing yesterday afternoon. “More than 2,690 search and rescue retrieval teams and over 4,900 search, rescue, and retrieval assets are also on standby for Leon.”
Padilla expressed gratitude for the influx of international aid from Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei, which has facilitated support to affected areas. Indonesia’s aircraft is also set to arrive yesterday .
When asked whether there are enough deployable personnel for Leon, given the significant number of uniformed personnel still engaged in relief efforts for Kristine, Padilla reassured that they have ample manpower on standby, and teams from areas not impacted by Kristine can also be deployed.
“We will mobilize all necessary resources for Super Typhoon Leon as we continue our recovery from Kristine. We are committed to supporting our communities,” she added.
As of the 5 PM bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the eye of Leon was located east-southeast of Basco, Batanes. It is moving west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour, with winds of 185 kph and gusts of up to 230 kph. PAGASA officials are not ruling out a possible landfall in Batanes from late this evening until tomorrow.
