AFP Reservists to assist Cagayan Valley flood victims

AFP Reservists called to help in Northern Luzon relief and rehab

MANILA – Military reservists have been alerted to help in relief and rehab operations in flooded Cagayan Valley.

AFP Northern Luzon Command chief Major General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, Jr. said his plan was approved by the AFP Chief of Staff General Gilbert Gapay after initial coordination wit the AFP Reserve Command.

“The Reserve Force has played a very significant and invaluable role during the most challenging times in the country’s history, from the aftermath of Yolanda in the Visayas to the post-explosion operations of Taal Volcano and the recently, the period of uncertainty during the outbreak of COVID-19,” said Major General Burgos.

Reservists were tapped to man a number of Quarantine Control Points when Metro Manila and nearby provinces were placed under General Community Quarantine or GCQ earlier this year to curb the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus.

He said reservists are “the Philippines’ ‘strategic reserve’ in terms of human resource by sending them to ground zero, we will have enough manpower in the frontlines as efforts to begin to transition to recovery and rehabilitation” which is similar to the model that the government used in Batangas after Taal’s explosion “thereby allowing our combat forces to ensure the safety of the people and communities in this part of the country through their security operations. (Melo M. Acuña)

AFP NOLCOM Chief Major General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, Jr. (Melo Acuna Photo)