Commuters Rescued by Army troopers

By JONG CADION

The commuters were accommodated

At the 51^st IB headquarters after they

were stranded and rescued. (Photo

provided)

MATLING, MALABANG, Lanao del Sur – At least fifteen (15) vehicles and one hundred fifty (150) commuters coming from Zamboanga Peninsula, Pagadian City, Marawi City and Iligan City were accommodated to stay overnight at the Battalion Headquarters  after they were stranded and rescued by the Army troopers of 51^st Infantry Battalion yesterday afternoon. The unit offered its facilities and soldiers offered their personal bedding/ hammocks (duyans) to the stranded commuters as a sign of hospitality. 

The heavy downpour of rains started at around 12:30 in the afternoon on November 11, 2012 that caused flash flood along the Narciso Ramos Highway (NRH) particularly at Brgy BPS Village and Bago-Ingud both of Malabang Lanao del Sur.   

The commuters were stranded

and rescued by the Army troopers

of 51^st IB  (Photo provided)

Lt Col Ceasar Marlon M Yadao, the Commanding Officer of 51^st Infantry (Fuerte Uno Battalion immediately dispatched a platoon of Disaster Relief and Rescue Operation  (DRRO) unit headed by 1Lt Jivis S Salva, Commanding Officer of Bravo Coy  utilizing two (2) military trucks to the area to extend  transportation and security assistance to the commuters.    

The said national highway was not passable to any type of vehicles as of 3:00 o clock in the afternoon due to ranging flood waters coupled with almost two (2) meters of sand that covers the said thoroughfare. 

As the situation get worsen at about 6:00 o’clock pm, Lt Col Yadao dispatched another platoon of troops headed by 1Lt Baltazar L Marcos Jr, the Operations Officer to secure  hundreds of commuters/motorists  from lawless elements and extortionists  in the  area.   

The commuters/motorists were encouraged then to seek refuge at the 51^st IB Battalion Headquarters for security reasons and safety.

Lt Col Yadao gave his assurance that the unit will extend any help to the civilians in a humble way while they are in the area of responsibility of 51IB.

On the morning of November 12, 2012 before leaving the camp premises the commuters extended their heartfelt thanks to the Fuerte Uno Troopers for the assistance given to them.