 General Overview

 Purpose
 Definition of Terms
 Activation
 Mission
 Functions
 Operational Concept
 Disaster Management Phase
 GENERAL

Disaster and calamities such as those caused by natural

phenomena as floods, typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions and those by human beings have resulted in death,
misery and massive destruction to lives and properties. In all
these instances, the AFP in coordination with other government
agencies responded vigorously and effectively in alleviating the
sad plight of the affected masses by conducting immediate rescue
and relief operations, and clearing operations, to restore power
and communications and subsequently rehabilitation operations.

The AFP in its commitment to protect and promote the

welfare and well being of the people is always ready to serve in
any such emergency situation. To enhance the AFP’s capability to
serve, to respond, and to perform effectively in disaster
operations, GHQ, AFP thus constitutes the AFP Disaster
Response Task Force (AFPDRTF)
 PURPOSE

To provide an overview on how the AFP assists other government

agencies in response to disasters and calamities as outlined in Standing
Operating Procedures (SOP) Nr. 15, GHQ, AFP dated 11 December 1995; Subject:
Calamities and Disasters Preparedness Plan. This SOP also prescribed the
creation of the AFPDRTF.

DEFINITION OF TERMS:

Calamity/Disaster - a situation usually catastrophic in nature, in

which a number of persons are plunged into helpless and sufferings, and
result maybe in need of food, clothing, shelter, medical care and other
basic necessities of life.

Civil Emergency - It is the disruption of normal activities of the civil populace

occasioned by riots, rebellion, revolution and other similar events.
 DEFINITION OF TERMS:
Civil Defense Operations Center (CDOC) – the facility through which all disaster
planning and operations of the national government are conducted.

Coordinate Authority- authority given to a Commander and coordinate specific

functions or activities involving two or more force. The commander has the
authority to require consultation between the agencies involved but does not have
the authority to compel.

Disaster Control - it is the act of limiting or mitigating the effects of

the disaster through the introductions of measures designed to prepare
the inhabitants and to protect their lives and properties before, during
and after a disaster.
Disaster Operations – any concerted effort by two or more agencies, government
and/or otherwise, to provide emergency assistance in relief to persons who are
victims of a disaster/calamity and in the restoration of essential public utilities
and facilities. Specific aid and assistance that may be provided in disaster
operations include; issuance of medical supplies and equipment and emergency,
medical treatment, police protection, route clearance and traffic control,
prevention of panic, communications and restorations of facilities.
Local Disaster Coordinating Council – it is a group of persons at the Provincial
City, Municipality or Barangay level, duly organized for the purpose of preparing
the people under its jurisdictions, to mitigate the effects of disasters and to
control the disaster operations of its tasked units.

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) – the highest government body

responsible for advising the President on the status of Disaster Preparedness
Program and Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation efforts at the National level.

Regional, Provincial, Municipal and Barangay Disaster Coordinating Councils –

the organizations responsible for the conduct of disaster operations at their
respective level.

Relief – an act of helping and alleviating the condition of persons who are
suffering from the effects of disaster/calamity and are at the time completely
helpless.

Rehabilitation – the restoration of person’s economic dependency or stable way

of living either physically, economically, socially or emotionally.
 The AFP Calamities and Disaster Preparedness Plan.

Activation: - The AFP Disaster Response Task Force was activated effective
15 April 1993. It is controlled by GHQ, AFP, and is under the joint supervision and
operation of ODCS OPS (J3), ODCS LOG (J4) and ODCS CMO (J3). The Vice Chief
of Staff, AFP is designated Task Force Commander, AFPDRTF in a concurrent
capacity.

Mission: - The AFP, through its Disaster Response Task Force assist the
National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and the various local disaster
coordinating council in the conduct of search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation
operations and reconstruction and development activities nationwide, to save
lives, protect properties and minimize damages caused by natural disasters and
calamities including air/sea mishaps, crises caused by labor walkouts/strikes of
air traffic controllers, health/hospital workers, transportation, food centers and the
likes.
 Functions:

a. Establish communications linkages and make them available for

calamities and disaster operations.

b. Organize disaster reaction units in all military camps/bases for ready

deployment in the affected areas.

c. Render medical assistance to calamities/disasters affected victims.

d. Provide land, air or sea transport facilities for the rapid delivery of relief
supplies and personnel, and for necessary evacuation of disaster victims.

e. Assist the PNP in providing security coverage in disaster stricken

areas.

f. Assist in the reconstruction of the damaged national and local roads

and/or bridges and facilities.
 Operational Concept:
a. General

(1) The AFPDRTF shall provide general direction and control over
all AFP Disaster operations.

(2) AFPDRTF operations shall be conducted in accordance with

the Disaster Management Phases.

b. Specific
(1) The Task Force Commander, AFPDRTF shall have a
coordinating authority with the NDC, Regional Disaster Coordinating Councils
(RDSS), Provincial Disaster Coordinating Councils (PDCC), City/Municipality
Disaster Coordinating Councils (C/MDCC) and Barangay Disaster Coordinating
Councils (BDCC).
(2) The AFPDRTF shall be composed of a Hqs in Camp
Aguinaldo, Task Groups in Major Services and AFPWSSU’s, and Disaster
Coordinating Centers in the Area Commands. These Disaster Coordinating
Centers shall be established by the Area Commands, preferably co-located with
the RDCC, and shall automatically become AFPDRTF Advance Command Post
(ACP). The ACP Commander shall be a duly designated senior responsible officer
and who shall concurrently be the Area Command representative to the RDCC.
 (3) The exercise of the command and control over AFP units shall
be accomplished through the existing AFP Chain of Command, that is, from GHQ,
AFP (Thru: AFPJOC) to the Area Comands and Major Service Hqs/Task Groups
and/or directly to AFPWSSU’s Task Group Hqs.

(4) Upon announcement of impending natural calamity/disaster

by concerned public such as PAG-ASA, PHIVOLCS and Fire Department, tasked
units for disaster rescue operations shall automatically be placed on Red Alert.

(5) All disaster relief operations shall immediately be undertaken

by the area commands concerned using existing OPCON units while waiting to
support them provided on orders from AFPDRTF.

(6) All AFP disaster rescue and engineering operations/activities

shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of emergency services and
objectives.

(7) Systematic implementation of AFP CMO programs shall be

conducted to strengthen the people’s faith in the AFP, in particular and the
government in general.
 DISASTER MANAGEMENT PHASE:
The Disaster Management Phase prescribes the activities by phases to
define specific activities to generate better working relationship.

PHASE I – Pre-disaster Phase:

Planning for Disaster/Calamities Activities

Disseminating information shall be conducted and campaigns are made

on disaster prevention, control and safety measures. In coordination with
NDCC/OCD, the AFP DRTF shall distribute disaster control manuals, handouts
and other publications as well as audio-visual materials related to disaster
prevention control and safety measures and mitigating circumstances.

a. Organizing and Training.

The AFP DRTF activates Task Group in the Major Services, and
AFPWSSU’s and Area Commands Disaster Coordinating Centers and directs
these tasked units to conduct training in accordance with the provision of
Emergency Services in times of crisis/disasters. Tasked units in coordination with
RDCCs shall conduct drills and exercises followed with constructive critiques at
least quarterly.
PHASE I – Pre-disaster Phase:

b. Public Information Drive.

Disseminating information shall be conducted and campaigns are made

on disaster prevention, control and safety measures. In coordination with
NDCC/OCD, the AFP DRTF shall distribute disaster control manuals, handouts
and other publications as well as audio-visual materials related to disaster
prevention control and safety measures and mitigating circumstances.

c. Communication and Warning Activities.

The AFPDRTF in the Area Commands shall assist the Local Disaster
Coordinating Councils in coordination with the local chapters of the national
government agencies.
PHASE II – Emergency Services:
1. Emergency Services

Emergency services needed in the disaster area are rescue and

engineering, evacuation, first aid and medical relief, police assistance/security
coverage, fire and transportation services. The AFP disaster assistance shall be
coordinated with the Local Disaster Coordinating Councils at the affected areas.

a. Rescue and Engineering

(1) The AFP Disaster Response Task Force (AFPDRTF) in the

Area Commands shall assist the local disaster coordinating councils and in
coordination with the local chapters of the national government agencies.

(2) The AFP DRTF shall assist the Philippine Coast Guard in
rescue operations at sea and other disasters, such as oil spillage and shipwreck;
the PNP in maintenance of law and order ; and the Bureau of Air
Transportation/Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) in case
of aircraft crushes, strikes/walkout of Air Traffic controllers and the Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in rescue and engineering works.
PHASE II – Emergency Services:

b. Evacuation – The AFP Disaster Response Task Force shall assist in the
evacuation operation in coordination with the Disaster Coordinating Councils who
are responsible for organizing evacuation teams for the transfer of disaster
victims to safer grounds/areas.

c. First Aid and Medical Services – In coordinating with the local health
units, the AFP Disaster Response Task Force Medical/Dental and veterinary teams
shall assist in the preventive measures to arrest occurrences/outbreak epidemics
and control and provide assistance in case of medical and/or surgical intervention
for appropriate evacuation.

d. Disaster Relief Services – AFPDRTF in coordination with the NDC/OCD

and the local disaster coordinating councils and other concerned government
agencies shall assist and undertake survey of the disaster areas and provide
mass feeding, emergency housing, emergency clothing and missing persons
tracing services.

e. Police/Fire Assistance Service – The AFP Disaster Response Team

shall assist the PNP in the maintenance of Law and Order and security coverage.
PHASE II – Emergency Services:

f. Emergency Transportation Services – The AFP Disaster Response Task

Force shall make available for fair, land and sea transportation disaster relief
teams, personnel, victims and supplies during emergencies.

g. Damage Assessment – The AFP Disaster Response Task Force in

coordination with local disaster coordinating councils shall conduct immediate
survey of the disaster areas to determine casualties/damages of infrastructure,
agriculture, aquatic resources, animal life and other properties. Result of the
survey shall be submitted to NDCC for evaluation and appropriate action.
PHASE III – Post Emergency Phase:

1. The AFP Disaster Response Task Force through the local disaster
coordinating councils shall determine the nature and extent of the rehabilitation
effort to be undertaken and shall submit to NDCC for referral to appropriate
government agencies.

2. The AFP Disaster Response Task Force shall conduct assessment of

the available resources for rehabilitation purposes by cross checking all
information gathered during and before the emergency.

3. The AFP tasked units shall coordinate and synchronized effort with the
concerned government agencies in the hiring of labor force from the affected
population needed for restoration, repair and construction of public buildings,
roads, bridges, dams, harbors, airports and the like damages by disaster or
calamities…….