Philippine Air Force Blackhawk helicopters delivered goods for soldiers on Christmas Day as they had to forgo time with their families to perform relief and rehabilitation missions in Typhoon Odette-affected villages in Leyte.
Capt. Ryan Layug, the Joint Task Force (JTF) Storm spokesperson who is in Maasin City, said the Armed Forces of the Philippines observes no holidays as public service comes first.
“We were surprised. It was like an ordinary day except that we started the day singing Kasadya (Ang Pasko ay Sumapit) to motivate our fellow soldiers,” he narrated in a news release on Sunday.
He was on FB (Facebook) Live that gave the soldiers a chance to greet their families and loved ones when he received a notice to proceed to Maasin airport and pick up the lechon (roast pig) for soldiers stationed in Maasin, Limasawa, San Ricardo Port, Barangay Esperanza in San Ricardo, and Liloan, all in Southern Leyte.
The belated noche buena (Christmas Eve meal) was delivered using Philippine Air Force’s Blackhawk helicopter which had been airlifting food packs to isolated villages in San Ricardo.
“We didn’t stop working today (Christmas) and we don’t intend to take a rest as our people need us. We will continue serving our people amid all the challenges. Our soldiers understand this as part of our duties,” Maj. Gen. Edgardo de Leon, commander of JTF Storm, said.
“We would like to thank the Philippines Air Force, particularly for the quick delivery of the Christmas lechon to our soldiers. The delivery somehow reminded the soldiers na Pasko na nga pala. Ilang minutong pahinga para mag-celebrate, tuloy ulit ang (that’s it’s already Christmas. Just a few minutes of rest to celebrate, then we resumed our) humanitarian mission,” he added.
The Christmas Drop mission to boost the soldiers’ morale was completed at 3 p.m.
Operations “Bulig (Help) Leyte” of the Regional Task Force ELCAC-8 (End Local Communist Armed Conflict) has been providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response nonstop and contributing to the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Region 8’s logistics by delivering relief goods to affected communities in Leyte and Southern Leyte.
Source: Philippines News Agency
