The Philippine Army (PA) and Philippine Air Force (PAF) are now preparing all available personnel and assets for possible humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Karding.

PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad, in a statement Sunday night, said the Army has marshaled around 200 personnel who are ready to risk limbs and life to save lives.

“The standby force and transportation assets will be deployed to conduct HADR efforts in Metro Manila and nearby areas, in case the need arises. Central Luzon is expected to bear the brunt of Super Typhoon Karding, the strongest tropical cyclone to directly affect the country this year,” he added.

Meanwhile, Army Operations Center (AOC) officers and personnel are continuously monitoring the situation in calamity areas for possible deployment of HADR teams.

“PA troops and reservists remain on high alert. Rest assured, your Philippine Army will work hand-in-hand with other government and private sector responders to help our countrymen who live in communities along the path of this super typhoon,” PA chief Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. said.

Meanwhile, the PAF has placed all of its disaster response task unit (DRTU) personnel, equipment, and air assets in Luzon on alert status for possible HADR missions,

“Moreover, the teams are equipped with hard hats, life vests, chain saw, axe, crowbar, hammers, rubber boats, utility ropes, flashlights, radios, stretchers, ladders, shovels, generators, lifesavers, medical equipment, and are capable of search, relief, rescue, recovery, and medical aid,” PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said.

In addition, PAF reservists in the different air reserve centers in Luzon were also placed on standby alert for possible augmentation in the conduct of HADR.

“The heavy engineering equipment and operators of the 355th Aviation Engineer Wing were also placed on standby alert,” she added.

Castillo also said the C-208 Grand Caravan and the Hermes 900 UAV aircraft are alerted to fly for rapid damage assessment and needs analysis.

“Airlift and search-and-rescue assets to include the S-Huey, Huey II, Bell 205, S-70i Black Hawk, UH-1H, Bell 412, and C-295 aircraft are also on standby alert for HADR operations like SAR (search-and-rescue), relief operations, and other related missions,” she added. (PNA)