8ID responds to calamity needs in Samar and Leyte

By CMO Battalion, 8ID PA
January 2, 2011

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar  –  Continuous rain that started in New Year’s Eve up to present had brought some of the places in Samar and Leyte Islands to sink in a deep flood while some experience minor and major landslides.

In Samar island, reports that had reached to this command divulged that there are five (5) sections of the Taft-Buray road which are inundated by three feet to five feet water flood of Barangay Binaloan, Malinao, San Pablo, Mabuhay and Burak all of Taft, Eastern Samar. Some vehicle cannot exceed even the military vehicle on the said areas.

The Disaster Relief and Rescue Unit (DRRU) of the Army’s 801st Infantry Brigade in coordination with the Local Government Unit of the concerned municipality had already made necessary actions.

Trainees of Jungle Warfare and Mountain Operations Course (JWMOC) who are based in Hinabangan with some crews of Provincial Public Works and Highways (PPWH) in Samar were able to clear off the mud and rocks that covered the road net in Brgy San Rafael West and made it partially passable at about 11:30 in the morning.  Complete clearing will be conducted the next day.

On the other hand, Loop de Loop detachment of 52nd Cadre Battalion and 14th Infantry Battalion, respectively unmindful of their safety and heavy rains, were able to immediately deploy their troops to assist the trapped commuters but no possible evacuation of the trapped commuters thereat.

In Southern Leyte, a separate report from R3, PNP Region 8 disclosed that landslides had occurred at Purok 4, Brgy Bolod-Bolod, St. Bernard at about 1:30 in the afternoon that buried two (2) households with three casualties.

Combined personnel of PNP St. Bernard and 2nd Platoon of SL PPSC led by P/Insp Bernardino had already conducted initial search and rescue operation that resulted to unearthing of two (2) dead bodies that was later found out to be Fatima and Rodel Escairal, 5 and 1 year old, respectively while Jordan Laquipon, 1 year old is reported missing.

Other residents near the area were already evacuated in safer ground and now under custody of St. Bernard Municipal Disaster Coordinating Committee. Search and rescue operation are still on going for the other missing victim.

Furthermore, 19th Infantry Battalion lately reported that another landslide had occurred at Brgy Kawayan, Libagon town of same province that made the road from and to Liloan town impassable.  Buses and other means of land transportation are reportedly stranded on the said place. 19IB had already deployed its troops to provide necessary assistance in the affected area.  Troops are still in the area as of press time.

Meanwhile, the commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division Major General Mario Chan ordered his Commandant to prepare the Command’s DRRU to augment the troops who are conducting search and rescue operations in the affected areas.