Planes, helis, naval craft help in Surigao City quake relief efforts

Damaged houses were placed at 1,034, with 155 severely damaged by the earthquake. (Photo: Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines)/ Facebook)

MANILA –Assorted aircraft, helicopters and naval craft of the military are now helping in the ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts in quake-ravaged Surigao City.

These include three to four gunboats assigned to Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said in a message to the PNA.

“As of now (these) gunboats are now working with the Office of Civil Defense and Provincial Risk Response and Management Council about their respective deployment,” he added.

“The PN is always ready to perform HADR operations to help and alleviate the condition of the victims brought by the magnitude 6.7 earthquake that hit Surigao (City),” Lincuna pointed out.

Meanwhile, Philippine Air Force (PAF) assets deployed for the Surigao City quake relief efforts include all available Lockheed C-130 cargo planes of the 220th Airlift Wing, of which there five, six W-3A “Sokol” rescue helicopters and assorted UH-IH “Huey” combat utility helicopters in the CARAGA region.

PAF spokesperson Col. Antonio Francisco said these air assets are helping in the transport of relief and medical goods in Surigao City and other quake-ravaged areas.

As of this posting, the tremor which struck Surigao City 10:03 p.m. Friday has so far killed eight people and wounded 202 others, aside from causing infrastructure damage initially placed at PHP108. 45 million.

Damaged houses were placed at 1,034, with 155 severely damaged by the earthquake.