EastMinCom Deploys Troops Under Newly Activated JTF Sambisig to Typhoon-Battered Areas

 

EastMinCom troops were deployed along with personnel from the Office of Civil Defense-11 (OCD-11), Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC), Department of Social Welfare and Development-11(DSWD-11), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

 

After seeing firsthand the extent of damage caused by Typhoon Odette in Northern Mindanao and Caraga region during aerial surveillance, LtGen. Almerol immediately ordered the creation of JTF Sambisig, which was officially activated on December 21, 2021 and headed by Joint Task Force Seahawk Commander, Commodore Carlos V. Sabarre.

 

It will establish temporary Headquarters in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte to better supervise the deployment of troops in the conduct of Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations and properly facilitate the distribution of relief goods.

 

JTF Sambisig has four components namely the JTF Seahawk as TF Karagatan for Sea Component; JTF Diamond and JTF Agila as TF Katihan for the Land Component; Tactical Operations Wing Eastern Mindanao as TF Himpapawid for Air Component; and TF Locally-Stranded Individuals (LSI).

 

Other units under EastMinCom’s operational control also joined forces to form three more components to provide support to JTF Sambisig namely the Health Service Center–Eastern Mindanao as TF Kalusugan for Health Service Component; 5th Civil Relations Group as TF Pakikitungo for Civil Relations Component; and 52nd Engineer Brigade as TF Pagsasaayos for Engineering Component.

 

Under the initiative, troops were sent to typhoon-affected areas in Northern Mindanao and Caraga region to fast-track the rehabilitation of damaged facilities and other buildings, facilitate relief missions, and provide a general direction and control of disaster operations to expedite response and assistance in rescue and relief operations.

 

Among the major tasks of the deployed forces also include the formulation of an operational plan for disaster response operations based on a worst-case scenario, establishment of communication linkages that could be utilized during relief operations, provision of medical assistance to typhoon-affected individuals, and provision of the land, sea, and air transport for the quick delivery of relief supplies and personnel including ferrying stranded individuals and tourists.

 

EastMinCom also continues its “Tulong Bayanihan para sa Sambayanan” program to ensure the peaceful and orderly distribution of donated goods to typhoon-affected people, especially since the country is still navigating the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Through the "Tulong Bayanihan para sa Sambayanan Progam," LtGen. Almerol urges the public to stand as one in delivering in-kind donations for the typhoon-affected people, which they can drop at Headquarters EastMinCom located at Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City.

 

“Learning from the lessons of the past catastrophes, along with the limited resources at hand, we ought to extensively utilize the assets of our respective offices. We will maximize and harmonize our resources by combining sea, air, and land-based mobility and strategy in relief and rescue operations to permit more promptness and efficiency in our recovery efforts,” LtGen. Almerol said.

 

“As first responders, your tasks are crucial and we cannot afford to waste time. I urge everyone to perform their assigned tasks effectively and with due caution. Develop good teamwork among yourselves in this mission,” LtGen. Almerol told the departing troops.

 

Meanwhile, heads of different agencies involved in disaster relief missions such as DSWD-11 Director Ronald Ryan Cui, OCD-11 Director Manolito P. Orense, TOW-EM Commander BGen. Jeffrey Vilela, and PCG-Eastern Mindanao Commo. Allan Corpuz also graced the send-off ceremony to signify cooperation and unity.