Military official assures all donations will reach 'Yolanda' victims

MANILA, Philippines - A military official on Monday assured that all donations sent by concerned people will reach the victims of super typhoon Yolanda as he announced the deployment of 500 more soldiers to cthe Visayas.

Lt. Gen. Caesar Ronni Ordoyo, Southern Luzon Command head, said the deployment of extra troops to areas such as Tacloban City, Samar and Leyte was done in coordination with various government agencies, private firms, local government units and non-government organizations.

"This is proof of the overwhelming support and response by our Filipino compatriots to help our fellowmen reeling from the havoc," Ordoyo said.

The additional teams consist of staff from the Naval Forces for Southern Luzon Command, Tactical Operations Group 5 and the medical corps of doctors, nurses and emergency responders.

Ordoyo said the military contingent also includes the service support personnel from the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army who formed the Team Albay and Team Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region.

He said that the 1st Special Forces Battalion and 565th Engineer and Construction Battalion were the first batch of troops deployed to the Visayas.

"Please be assured that every donation you give will reach the Yolanda victims," Ordoyo said.

He said that the various forms of relief assistance now pour in continuously at the different designated “bayanihan” centers in Southern Luzon and Bicol regions since the Task Force Kaagapay was launched.

He also reported that the troops have distributed 13,800 packs of relief goods to the victims.