Pablo victims receive 6 truckloads of food, clothes

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - The Army’s 602nd Brigade and its component units have collected six truckloads of food provisions and clothes from soldiers and their dependents in a week-long collection drive intended for the victims of Typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

1Lt Antonio Bulao 1, civil-military operations officer of the 602nd Brigade based in North Cotabato’s Carmen town, said various sectors, including local officials led by Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, readily extended support to their relief collection campaign.

Bulao said the mayor of Carmen, Roger Taliño, donated 100 sacks of rice to typhoon victims in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley through to the 602nd Brigade.

The commanding officer of the 602nd Brigade, Col. Ademar Tomaro, said they embarked on the project to show “oneness” with the communities affected by the typhoon.

Tomaro, who led the donations collection activity, said Army M-35 6x6 trucks from their component units, the 7th, 40th and 57th Battalions, will haul the supplies anytime soon to the typhoon-ravaged provinces.

Tomaro said he is grateful to the members of the battalions under the 602nd Brigade and their dependents for readily donating rice and used clothes in support of the project.

Tomaro said many soldiers belonging to the 602nd Brigade have even donated groceries supposedly intended for their Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations.