Soldiers' sacrifice for Frank victims
At least P1 million in added local government aid will go to thousands of Ilonggo victims of Typhoon Frank, thanks to the sacrifice of Army soldiers in Western Visayas.
The P1 million comprised the soldiers' susbsistence allowance with the army group coming from three batallions or about 3,000 soldiers. Yet another P5 million is expected once similar decision is finalized by army soldiers elsewhere in the country.
"This is our small way of helping as we also willingly take part in rescue and relief operations. The Philippine Army's (PA) help is realized under the command of Brigadier General Nestor Ochoa," said Captain Lowen Gil Marquez, commanding officer of the AFP's 3rd Civil Relations Group.
The AFP here has linked up with provincial and municipal social welfare officials in the continuing relief operations to affected villages. An aerial reconnaissance team of the Philippine Airforce was also deployed to check the status of major Iloilo dams following fears of overflow.
"We will not stop with the distribution of goods particularly to the hardest hit areas and those deemed impenetrable by local rescue and relief groups. We will duplicate what was done – suicide rescues – on the very day the typhoon hit. This time though bearing government relief assistance," Captain Marquez added.