QUEZON CITY, (PIA) --In anticipation of Typhoon Betty (Typhoon Mawar), the Armed Forces of the Philippines has alerted all search, rescue, and retrieval units for humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in areas expected to be affected by the typhoon.

In a statement, the AFP aid all Unified Commands and Major Services were already directed to muster and check the readiness of HADR equipment and assets; preposition HADR units; assist LGUs in evacuations; and participate in coordination meetings and planning activities.

As such, vehicles and personnel are already being prepared to assist in the mandatory evacuation of residents in vulnerable areas.

Air and naval assets are also on standby for deployment for future aerial assessment, transport, and evacuation operations.

“A total of 7,970 personnel, 4,242 CAFGU Active Auxiliary members and 180 reservists are alerted as first responders. 2,518 land transportation assets, 20 air assets and 265 water assets shall be deployed for the HADR operations,” the AFP, in a statement said.

Additional troops and assets will be committed when necessary.

We therefore call on the public to be vigilant and to take precautionary measures as advised by competent authorities.

“Let us all do our part in ensuring the safety not just of the affected communities but of our responders as well,” the AFP appealed to the public. (afp/pia-ncr)