Philippine Air Force new group commander in Visayas assumes post

Camp Hernandez, Dingle, Iloilo – A graduate of Philippine Air Force Flying School (PAFFS) assumed today as the new commander of Tactical Operations Group 6 (TOG6), 2nd Air Division, Philippine Air Force in a change of command ceremony here.

Colonel Frederick Cutler, a graduate of Pilot Training at PAFFS in 1991 and a seasoned combat pilot, succeeded Colonel Rene Honasan who commanded TOG6 since April 2011.

In his remarks, Colonel Honasan expressed thanks to the men and women of this unit and said that he might not be a perfect commander but the unwavering support of his men made him accomplished many things that made this unit stand-out among the other units.

On the other hand, Colonel Cutler on his assumption remarks said that he will pursue the good things that were started and initiated by his predecessor.

For Brigadier General Nestor Deona, Commander of  2nd AD, PAF and the Presiding Officer during the ceremony, in his message acknowledge the hard work, resourcefulness and intelligence and the remarkable accomplishments of the outgoing commander.  

TOG6 was originally based at former Iloilo Airport in Manduriao, Iloilo City. Its headquarters was transferred to Camp Hernandez in Dingle, Iloilo on 2009 when the airport was transferred to Cabatuan-Sta Barbara boundaries.

The presence of TOG6 in the Visayas has greatly contributed and complemented the efforts of Army forces in the maintenance of peace and in disaster rescue and relief operations in this region.

Most notable among the countless accomplishments of this unit includes relief and rescue operations during tropical storms “Frank” in 2008 and “Sendong” in 2011, and the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that severely his Negros Oriental early this year.

During the stint of Colonel Honasan as commander, TOG6 crafted its own operational framework consistent with the objectives and intent of Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan” with the motto: “ Let’s think, organize, and go bayanihan for a just and lasting peace in Western Visayas.

With this orientation and focus, the unit was able to accomplished 25 civic action activities, 14 medical and dental civic action programs, six bloodlettings, two disaster relief operations and support to seven socio-cultural activities.

Significant among these various activities was the library project for two depressed schools in Alegria Elementary School in Dingle, Iloilo and Tubudan National High School in San Remigio, Antique from 2011-2012 wherein 3,000 books and one desktop computer were donated each school.

With these accomplishments, TOG6 under the leadership of Colonel Honasan was adjudged as 2nd AD’s TOG of the year for 2012. The unit will likewise receive the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force Streamer Award as TOG of the year during the PAF anniversary on July 4, 2012.

The unit was also adjudged as the best TOG for the year 2011 making it the only unit in PAF that received this distinguished award for two consecutive years.

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Philippine Army Spearhead Troopers | June 11, 2012 | Article Link

Army’s K-9 trackers used to hasten rescue efforts

THE 302nd Brigade of the Philippine Army revealed that K-9 trackers were sent to the landslide areas in Negros Oriental to help hasten the rescue and retrieval operations.

The landslide was triggered by 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit Negros Island Monday.

At least 400 soldiers, Cafgus and reservists were also deployed in the area to intensify the rescue and retrieval operations, according to Captain Anacito Naz, Civil Military Operations Officer of the 302nd Brigade.

The Philippine Air Force helicopters also played a vital role in extricating the injured survivors from the site and in bringing them to the nearest hospital for medical treatment.

The report also said that a water purifier was also airlifted to La Libertad to address the shortage of potable water in the area.

Over 150 personnel with three backhoes are still conducting retrieval operations in Solonggon, La Libertad landslide area.

Eight more bodies were retrieved by rescuers in various landslide areas in Negros Oriental which were severely hit by the tremor.

Meanwhile, Office of Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Benito Ramos said the latest count of fatalities as of Thursday was 34, up from 26 bodies accounted for last Wednesday.

Seventy-one are still missing, he added.

Ramos said that aside from the aftershocks, the rescue and retrieval operations are further hampered by the rain.

Ramos said the aftershock count since Monday to Thursday reached 1,200.

He added that families of those believed buried under the landslides still hope that their kin are still alive.

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TED

Friday, February 10, 2012

SunStar.Com.Ph

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Air force airlifts 4 more to Cebu

FOUR persons from Guihulngan, Negros Oriental were transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City yesterday to receive treatment for injuries they sustained during last Monday’s earthquake.

The victims were identified as Marilyn Villacolar, 11; Jesselyn Anes, five; John Kenneth Sabijon, a high school student; and Marlyn Flores, 33, in an ABS-CBN TV Patrol report.

They were airlifted by the Philippine Air Force and arrived at the Mactan air base at 3:04 p.m.

Sending help

Anes and Flores suffered fractures in the arms and leg, respectively. Sabijon was injured after he reportedly jumped out of the school building when the tremor began.

“These victims need tertiary care as the hospital here in Negros could not cater to their injuries,” said Nonoy Mongaya in a phone interview with Sun.Star Cebu.

Mongaya, who was in Negros to help with rescue efforts, is the VSMMC’s information officer.

Several medical teams from Cebu City were sent to Negros Oriental to help attend to victims.

Last Wednesday, Felia Acabal, 33; Nicalona Mejares, seven; and a 62-year-old man who remains unidentified were also transferred to the VSMMC from Guihulngan.

Their injuries were critical, according to the rescue teams’ initial assessment.

Acabal and Mejares both fractured their leg after they were hit by a firewall, while the 62-year-old was injured when a ceiling collapsed on him at the height of the earthquake, which was considered to be the strongest to hit the region in nine decades.

“Until now, patients from Negros are being airlifted to Cebu,” Mongaya said in Cebuano.

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By Jill B. Tatoy

Friday, February 10, 2012

SunStar.Com.Ph

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Army suspends offensives vs NPA in quake-hit areas

The Philippine Army has suspended tactical offensive operations against the communist New People’s Army areas of Negros devastated by a magnitude-6.9 quake last Monday.

Col. Francisco Patrimonio, the Army's 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, said he has instead mobilized his men to help in the retrieval of bodies from the rubble, according to a report on Visayan Daily Star.

Patrimonio said at least 300 soldiers and government militiamen are working in the retrieval operations, including landslide-hit areas in Planas village in Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental and in Sorongon village in La Libertad town.

He said they need more equipment, such as chainsaws, picks, shovels and other powered tools for retrieval operations in two landslide areas.

As of Thursday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) had said at least 26 were confirmed dead and 71 still missing in the wake of Monday's quake.

The Visayan Daily Star report quoted military reports indicating some 100 armed NPA members are still operating in Negros Oriental.

Of these, 50 are in the hinterlands of Guihulngan and neighboring areas, under the Leonardia Panaligan Command.

'Appeal' to NPA

Meanwhile, Capt. Reylan Java, 3rd Infantry Division spokesman, appealed to the NPA leadership in Negros Island to spare the rescue workers from hostile actions.

He urged the NPAs to help the affected residents instead.

Java said troops of the 11th and 79th Infantry Battalions and the 32nd Division Reconnaissance Company, all being supervised by the 302nd Infantry Brigade, were marshaled to perform rescue and retrieval operations in affected communities.

Two Air Force helicopters from the 2nd Air Division in Cebu are now being utilized in the search and rescue mission.

Maj. Gen. Jose Mabanta, the new 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, said they will continue efforts to help those affected by the natural disaster.
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LBG,
 GMA News Online
February 10, 2012 9:40am
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