The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it is ready to assist relief operations and respond to emergencies as Severe Tropical Storm Marce (international name Yinxing) threatens areas earlier pummeled by two tropical cyclones.

“We are prepared to handle any contingencies that may arise from Marce. The AFP will continue to assist tirelessly, ensuring that affected communities receive the support they need as we face these challenges together,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told the Philippine News Agency.

The military continues to carry out rescue and relief missions in communities severely impacted by the earlier onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon.

“The AFP remains steadfast in our commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts following ‘Kristine’ and ‘Leon’. Our active forces are fully engaged in relief operations, search and rescue, and supporting local government recovery efforts,” Padilla added.

Military units are aided by reserve forces acting as “essential force multipliers”, Padilla said.

“Additionally, our reserve forces serve as essential force multipliers, actively participating in search and rescue operations to enhance our response capacity,” Padilla said. (PNA)