Gov't boosts Bicol rescue efforts with SOLCOM reinforcements

The national government is bolstering rescue efforts in Bicol Region affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine with reinforcements from SOLCOM in Quezon and Eastern Visayas.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Director Edgar Posadas noted that local resources were sufficient but flooding had made it challenging to respond to rescue requests, particularly in Naga City and Camarines Sur.

Reinforcements from SOLCOM and Eastern Visayas have been deployed as of Thursday morning, October 24, with teams and equipment augmenting relief operations in Bicol.

At least 17 military air assets are prepositioned at Villamor Air Base in Manila and Cebu for augmentation, though deployment depends on weather conditions.

The government is also coordinating with neighboring countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei for potential assistance in aid distribution to victims of Kristine.