402nd Brigade, PA celebrates 117th Founding
Anniv
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 22 (PIA) - In time with the
117th Founding Anniversary celebration, the 402nd Brigade, Philippine Army
conducted on Saturday the bloodletting activity, photo exhibit, and ‘Small Unit
Tactics’ (SUT) demonstration held at the Robinsons Place' Atrium, this city.
Said activity was also in coordination with the
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Agusan del Norte - Butuan City Chapter, Philippine
Information Agency (PIA), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP),
other partner stakeholders and volunteers.
According to 1Lt Joe Patrick Martinez,
spokesperson of the 402nd Brigade, Philippine Army, the bloodletting activity
is their way of helping the people especially those in need of blood in the
hospitals.
"The Philippine Army are not just
combatants but we also do things that contribute to peace and development in
our nation. We welcome those blood donors who would want to join us, as well as
those guests who would like to know and apply in the AFP recruitment as there
is also a booth installed for them," he remarked.
Martinez also encouraged the public to take
pictures with their personnel demonstrating the SUT of the brigade. Each
demonstrator has their own function and responsibility during combat
operations.
"We also brought our combat capability
resources such as KM400 ‘4x4’ Truck, and ‘6x6’ Truck, among others for public
viewing," added Martinez.
Meanwhile, the photo exhibit of the brigade’s
field operations was also displayed at the same venue. The exhibit will run for
five days.
"This will increase public awareness on how
the Philippine Army operates in the field, as well as in our Bayanihan
activities in the community," stressed Martinez. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
PCG rescues capsized motor launch
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 22 (PIA) – The personnel of
Philipppine Coast Guard (PCG) Dapa Station in Surigao safely rescued the six
maintenance crew including the captain of the Aqua Sea Cargo Movers motor
launch after it was capsized at around 1:30pm on March 20, 2014 along seawaters
of Brgy. Cambas-ac, Dapa, Surigao del Norte.
According to PCG station commander Zenmond
Duque, the sea cargo was loaded with 2,992 bags of cement which will be
transported from Surigao City seafaring to Dapa when a rip current in heavy
seas and strong, gusty winds brought by tropical depression “Caloy” affecting
parts of Caraga region contributed to the incident. Fortunately, all involved
were rescued at 2pm on the same day.
Meanwhile, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Surigao
de Norte Station has implemented a “No Sail” policy for all types of sea
vessels since yesterday. PCG Commander Zenmond Duque appealed to public
especially to owners and operators of the marine vessels to cooperate to avoid
unfavorable situations to happen. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
TD Caloy affects areas in Caraga region, DRRMC
alerted
By Venus L. Garcia
Butuan City, Mar. 22 (PIA) – The current
tropical depression (TD) “Caloy” that raised storm signal no. 1 in Agusan del
Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, including Siargao
and Dinagat islands has prompted the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council
(DRRMC) to stay on alert for immediate disaster response.
All heavy equipment, office vehicles and rescue
mobiles of Surigao City are now on standby at the city’s command center per
directive of officer-in-charge vice-mayor Danilo Menor. Likewise, the members
of the CDRRMC are on call and advised to monitor the weather updates and actual
situation in the area.
Menor has recommended the suspension of classes
in the preschool yesterday.
Meantime, the central command post is now ready
for any emergency calls and rescue operations, said city public information
officer Annette Villaces.
According also to Mary Jul Escalante, public
information officer of Surigao del Norte, the provincial PDRRMC has already
advised all fisherfolks not to venture out into the sea to avoid untoward
incidents to happen as the province is still placed in threatening storm
signal.
She said, “communities in flood and landslide
prone areas are urged to be vigilant, while the city and municipal DRRMCs are
also advised to convene their council to take precautionary measures as we
aimed for zero casualty.”
Information from Dinagat Islands DRRMC also
revealed cancellation of all trips from Dinagat to Surigao City since noontime
Friday as big waves and heavy rains made elements of danger.
Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas are
advised to take appropriate actions and pre-emptive evacuation.
The Search for Emergency Response Team of
Surigao del Sur (SERTSS) as well is manning the operation center 24/7. The Tago
river is closely monitored by them as of this time.
Based on Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather bulletin issued at 5:00am
today, TD “Caloy” has slowed down as it maintains its strength. It was
estimated at 15 km East of Surigao City with maximum winds of 45 kph near the
center.
The provinces of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur
will have rains with gusty winds and moderate to rough seas. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
