OCD: 17 air assets to be deployed for response, rescue missions for Kristine victims

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said at least 17 air assets are ready for deployment to assist in the rescue and relief efforts in communities that are affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

“As we speak po, kinokolekta na po iyong mga commitment din ni (Defense) Secretary (Gilberto) Teodoro through the (AFP's) J-3 (military operations) po (the commitment of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro is already being collected),” OCD spokesman Director Edgar Posadas said during a Palace press briefing.

“In fact, nakita ko na po iyong listahan ng mga equipment, mayroon din po tayong 17 na air assets ‘no na naka-preposition sa Villamor, naka-preposition sa Cebu which are readily deployable weather permitting kasi we have to be sure din po that our pilots, our assets are safe,” he added.

(I have seen the list of equipment and we already have 17 air assets that were prepositioned in Villamor, Cebu, which are all readily deployable once the weather permits to ensure that our pilots and assets are safe.)

Posadas ensured that various forms of government assistance were on their way to the Bicol Region and other provinces that were severely affected by the bad weather.

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. earlier said the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites should be maximized in the conduct of response measures amid the onslaught of Kristine.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. already guaranteed that the Philippine military has the available assets with lift capabilities as of this time. He said the government is also coordinating with ASEAN neighbors for assistance.

On Thursday, rescuers raced to reach residents still stranded by flooding in the hard-hit Bicol region, after torrential rains from Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) submerged villages and killed more than 20 people.

In Naga city and the town of Nabua, rescuers were using boats to reach residents still stranded on rooftops.

"They are seeking assistance through (Facebook) posts and that's how we learned about them," Bicol police spokeswoman Luisa Calubaquib told Agence France-Presse.

In its 11 a.m. update on Thursday, state weather bureau PAGASA said Kristine was located in the vicinity of Aguinaldo, Ifugao moving westward at 20 kph with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

The severe tropical storm was expected to cross Northern Luzon over the next 12 hours and may emerge over the waters west of Ilocos Region on Thursday afternoon.

It was predicted to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Friday. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News