Navy sending more rescue teams to Cagayan

The Philippine Navy is beefing up its rescue operations in Cagayan by sending more disaster response and rescue teams to the Typhoon Ulysses-hit province.

In a statement, the Navy said that personnel from the Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NFNL), and the Marine Battalion Landing Team-10 are on their way to augment the efforts of the Naval Task Group Fleet-Marine Cagayan, which is leading the maritime force's rescue efforts.

Currently, a 14-member team from Naval Base Camilo Osias is in Cagayan in a rubber boat, ready to provide first aid to victims.

Two Water Search and Rescue (WASAR)-trained teams, meanwhile, are in San Fernando City, La Union and will be deployed to Cagayan.

"The two teams will be equipped with two rubber boats and other life-saving equipment. Some members of the DRRTs are from Naval Special Operations Group-Northern Luzon who have expertise in WASAR Operation.

They are now on standby and ready to be deployed upon the availability of air asset and fair weather for their airlift going to Cagayan. The teams will augment the current DRRTs of AFP spread out in 12 provinces and 31 municipalities in Region 2," the Navy said.

Large portions of Cagayan and Isabela are submerged, blamed mostly on the release of water from Magat Dam following the heavy rains brought by typhoon Ulysses. — BM, GMA News