AFP: Soldiers prepare for long stay in storm-hit areas in Mindanao

Soldiers assigned to Mindanao are ready for the long haul in helping victims of Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi), the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Friday.

AFP Public Information Office head Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos said they expect the soldiers' stay to take long for the rehabilitation and recovery stages.

"We think they [soldiers] are in for a long stay. The victims of 'Sendong' are still recovering. There will be rehabilitation and relief efforts for the victims," he said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

He said soldiers in eastern and western Mindanao are in the thick of helping in relief operations for the victims.

Last weekend, floods brought by Sendong devastated parts of Mindanao and the Visayas. The storm left at least 1,080 dead; 1079 missing and more than P1 billion in damage to property as of early Friday.

Burgos said up to 20,000 AFP personnel are "directly and indirectly" involved in the operations.

Also, he reiterated the soldiers are willing to forego spending Christmas with their families and staying at the affected areas instead.

"Yan lang ang pwede nilang gawin para makiramay sa ating mamamayan ang tulungan sila doon. Handa ang ating pamilya at sundalo di makapiling ngayong Kapaskuhan," he said. — LBG, GMA News
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December 23, 2011 9:30am
GMA News Online
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