The Philippine Army (PA) on Sunday announced that it had deployed humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) teams amid the onslaught of Super Typhoon Pepito (international name Man-yi).

In a statement, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said the 9th Infantry Division deployed 81 HADR teams to Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate to support search and rescue operations in the Bicol Region.

Meanwhile, the 7th Infantry Division deployed three teams to help repack relief goods at the Global Aseana Park 2, Department of Social Welfare and Development 3 (Central Luzon) warehouse in San Simon, Pampanga.

Dema-ala added that the 2nd Infantry Division also deployed rescue personnel and three KM-450 trucks to Buenavista and San Rafael towns in Quezon province and Capalonga, Camarines Norte to assist in HADR operations in these areas.

The 59th Infantry Battalion deployed two military trucks to assist in the Quezon provincial government’s rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, PA major units have placed 534 search, rescue and retrieval and water search and rescue teams on standby for HADR operations in typhoon-stricken communities.

“The Army’s HADR teams are steadfast in our commitment to provide immediate assistance to communities affected by the successive typhoons that affected our country. Our troops and assets are pre-positioned and deployed to vulnerable areas, ready to save affected families and help in subsequent relief and rehabilitation efforts,” Dema-ala said. (PNA)