Despite the announced pull-out of some rescue personnel from the quake-hit areas of La Libertad and Guihulngan, the newly-installed commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division based in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz has vowed to continue the search and retrieval operations in the vicinity of the two different landslide incidents in Negros Oriental.
Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. who recently assumed as the commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division directed the Negros Oriental-based army commanders to continue the search and retrieval operations of the victims of the landslide incidents in Barangay Solonggon, La Libertad and Barangay Planas in Guihulngan City.
Mabanta personally paid a visit to quake-hit NegOr.
Philippine Army’s (PA) Information Officer Capt. Anecito Naz said Gen. Mabanta was warmly welcomed by the officers and men of the PA 302 Brigade led by Deputy Commander Col. Christopher Estella during his arrival at Camp Leon Kilat in Tanjay City.
In Tanjay, Mabanta conducted a meeting to military officers and personnel as well as CAGFU members and presided a conference with the officers of the different army units in the province.
Mabanta also assured that the 3rd division will continue to provide assistance to the subordinate units in the conduct of the search and retrieval operations.
After the conference, Mabanta and an army team went on an ocular inspection of the severely affected areas. The group rode motorcycles to reach the sites since the priority of the helicopters is rescue and retrieval operations.
Meanwhile, soldiers from the 302 brigade and its operationally controlled units including reservists and CAFGUs were deployed to the quake-hit areas as well as in the landslide sites amid the continuing search and retrieval operations of missing persons.
Likewise, a team of doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians from the Office of the Civil Defense from Bicol (Team Albay) was sent by Governor Salceda to assist in the ongoing operations and conduct medical mission.
Relief goods from the GMA Kapuso Foundation were also hauled by the army troopers of 302 Brigade, 79th Infantry Battalion and 1st Scout Ranger Company to the Navy Patrol Gunship 140 headed by Commodore Fuentes and were ferried to Guihulngan City for distribution to the victims.
Another rescue team from Makati City led by Anthony Melendres was transported by two helicopters to conduct rescue and retrieval operations in Barangay Planas, Guihulngan City.
USec. Benito Ramos of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) and Bernadette Sembrano of ABS-CBN “Sagip Kapamilya” were transported by two helicopters to Guihulngan City for the conduct of relief operations and giving of financial assistance to the bereaved families of the victims in the landslide areas.
As of 4:00 p.m. last Sunday (Feb 12), seven victims were rescued in La Libertad town and transported by helicopters of the Tactical Operations Group 6 (TOG-6) of the Philippine Air Force headed by Col. Rene Raoul Romel Honasan to Dumaguete City for proper medical treatment.
The number of casualties on the other hand, rose to 41 as of 3:00 p.m. last Feb. 12. Those confirmed dead were: 18 persons in Guihulngan City, eight persons in La Libertad, eight persons in Jimalalud, three in Tayasan, two in Ayungon, and one each from Manjuyod and Bindoy.
There are 60 persons still missing; 20 in Barangay Planas, Guihulngan City and 40 persons in Barangay Solonggon, La Libertad. (FCR/JCT/PIA NegOr)
