The US Embassy has offered the use of some American aircraft and personnel to help with Typhoon Ruby even as the Armed Forces of the Philippines continues to prepare for Typhoon Ruby.
According to Maj. Emmanuel Garcia, commander of the 7th Civil Relations Group of the AFP Civil Relations Service, the embassy has offered the use of nine C-130 transport aircraft and three P-3C Orion surveillance planes for air assessment and monitoring.
It has also offered “medical and relief workers and other suport if needed,” Garcia said, adding other foreign armed forces are also offering help.
AFP continues to prepare for typhoon
In the meantime, soldiers and police officers have been deployed to secure National Food Authority warehouses, Garcia said.
Water sanitation teams are also on standby while additional troops have been sent to Department of Social Welfare and Development repacking centers to help prepare relief goods.
Trucks have alreadt been stationed in major service headquarters, with 12 of 45 trucks assigned to Joint Task Force National Capital Region.
Soldiers from the AFP Central Command have also been conducting security patrols in Leyte and Samar with the 8th Infantry Division deploying 1,171 personnel for rescue and relief operations along with 638 reservists.
Another 6,601 soldiers are on standby with 604 reservists.
Troops have also been deployed in Bicol to deter looting and crime and more Southern Luzon Command troops are ready to deploy to Romblon, Mindoro, Marinduque, Masbate, and Catanduanes, Garcia said.
Ships at the ready
Meanwhile, AFP Western Command in Palawan has already preloaded relief goods in two Navy, two Coast Guard, and two Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels for immediate deployment.
Soldiers and police are also securing food outlets and accounting for tourists.
AFP personnel in Central and North Luzon are also ready to deploy to Masbate, Marinduque, Romblon, or the Visayas as needed. — JDS, GMA News
