Manila, Sept. 25 -- The Philippine Army (PA) on Thursday placed its humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) teams on red alert for possible relief missions amid the expected onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi).

According to PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala, 149 disaster response teams composed of 1,946 regular soldiers, reservists and Cafgu Active Auxiliary (CAA) members are ready for deployment in the 8th and 9th Infantry Divisions, which cover Bicol and Eastern Visayas, the two regions that lie on the direct path of Opong.

"In addition, 1,610 soldiers, reservists and CAA members are placed under red alert in various Army units to augment rescue and relief efforts across Luzon," Dema-ala...