Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said that President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the mobilization of all assets of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police to aid in the rescue operations as Typhoon Ulysses drenched parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, overnight.
During a TV interview on Thursday, November 12, Go said that the AFP has already been instructed by Duterte to rescue Filipinos who were trapped due to the rising floods brought by the typhoon.
“Pinapa-mobilize n’ya po ang lahat ng assets ng AFP, including Air Force, Army, mga kapulisan, Coast Guard at Navy, lalo na po sa mga kailangan po ng rubber boats para mapasok agad at ma-rescue ang mga kababayan natin na na-trap,” Go said.
“Inuuna po muna namin ang rescue ng mga kababayan natin sa Marikina, San Mateo (Rizal), mga na-trap sa bubong. Inatasan na ng Pangulo ang lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno na tugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga kababayan natin,” he added.
Despite taking part in the high-level meetings of the 37th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Summits via video conference, Go assured that the President is closely monitoring and prioritizing the situation in the country.
“Nag-attend po si Pangulong Duterte sa ASEAN Summit. Kasalukuyan ay umalis po siya matapos n’yang magbigay ng intervention doon sa ASEAN para i-address ang nation,” Go said.
“Nakamonitor po ang ating Pangulo sa lahat ng pangyayari,” he emphasized, adding that all Cabinet secretaries are prioritizing efforts to assist affected communities.
“Kanina po ay nag-attend ang mga Cabinet secretaries sa ASEAN, subalit nagpaalam na po sila dahil inutusan ng Pangulo,” Go said.
“Lahat ay umalis na, maliban kay (Department of Foreign Affairs) Secretary Teddy Locsin, para handa po ang tulong mula sa gobyerno. Importante po dito rescue natin, pagkain, post-disaster counseling at rehabilitation po,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Senator said that his office has been monitoring the situation and is closely coordinating with various LGU officials and the military in assessing and responding to the needs of affected Filipinos.
“Ang aking opisina po ay naka-monitor, kanina pa kami nag-usap ng mga mayors, militar para mapabilis ang coordination,” he said.
“Sana bumaba na itong baha at makatulong kami sa lahat ng mga nangangailangan. Nakahanda kaming tumulong sa inyo sa abot ng aming makakaya,” he assured.
Ending the interview, he urged all Filipinos to stay safe and observe health protocols especially those staying in evacuation centers. He also relayed Duterte’s message of bayanihan in this time of calamity.
“Ingat po tayo, lalo na po sa evacuation center, mga eskwelahan po pwedeng gamitin pero importante ma-maintain ang minimum health protocols para ‘di magkahawahan sa COVID-19. Importante po ma-evacuate sila agad sa safe na areas,” he said.
“Ang sabi nga ng Pangulo, kapit lang tayo. Mag-bayanihan tayo, magtulungan tayo at ang gobyerno po nandito po para tumulong agad. Alam ko po, nahihirapan ang ating Pangulo sa sitwasyon, kaliwa’t kanang krisis ang kanyang kinakaharap pero kailangan po naming magtrabaho, kailangan n’yang magtrabaho,” he said, adding “hindi namin kayo pababayaan.” (OSBG)
