AFP alerts units in north Luzon as Nokor prepares missile launch

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines—The military’s Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) has alerted all its units in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Central Luzon regions to monitor and report any debris from the rocket that North Korea announced it would launch between April 12 and 16.

Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara, Nolcom commander, said the command, based in Camp Aquino in Tarlac City, has some 10,000 troops from the Philippine Army, Air Force and Navy scattered in the four regions. He said Nolcom has also prepared its disaster response teams, coordinating as well with government agencies to deal with life-threatening situations.

“We are keeping our people informed with help from local governments to keep calm and order,” Alcantara said.

In Aurora, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has advised its 11 municipal counterparts on Wednesday to inform residents about North Korea’s planned missile launch next week.

“We want the information to reach the barangays,” Elson Egargue, the council’s head,  said by telephone on Wednesday.

Egargue said as of Wednesday, the national and regional disaster preparedness councils have not sent advisories directly. He said the provincial council’s actions were based on information relayed by NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos through the media.

In Isabela, Vice Governor Rodolfo Albano III  said local governments lack personnel and equipment to  monitoring their air and sea lanes but they would ensure that residents, especially in the coastal towns facing the Pacific Ocean, are well informed about the potential threat from rocket debris.

“The best thing is we should not create panic among our people,” Albano said.