MANILA -- The military's Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) took the lead in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercises during the first quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) Thursday.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Emmanuel Garcia said JTF-NCR worked and cooperated closely with its civilian and partner agencies.
"During the simulation the JTF NCR took the lead in all of AFP HADR efforts around Metro Manila and worked closely with partner agencies, in coordination with (the) NCR DRRMC (Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council)," he added.
During the first quarter NSED launched at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, Garcia said JTF-NCR deployed its disaster rescue teams and established a command center in Camp Aguinaldo for national HADR operations.
The AFP official said these activities are also in preparation for the Philippine hosting of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group Earthquake Response Exercise that will be held on June 27-29 in Clark, Pampanga. Expected to attend are more than 400 personnel of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from other countries.
Garcia said the NSED tests the readiness and capabilities of USAR teams and understand the command and control mechanism in humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and emergency operation at the DRRMCs. (PNA)
