The Philippine Army has activated a battalion-size unit that would be on the frontline in the government’s relief and rescue missions in times of disasters, a military official said Saturday.

And the newly-created disaster response battalion of the Army will have their baptism by fire as some parts of Luzon are now being threatened by typhoon “Ramil” (international codename: Lupit).

Dubbed as the Army Contingent for Emergency-Multi-Role Force (ACE-MRF) Battalion, Lieutenant General Delfin Bangit, commanding general of the Philippine Army, said the move is to further enhance the Army’s disaster relief and humanitarian missions, especially in effective response to the needs of the people in times of disaster.

“The Multi-Role Force (ACE) Battalion will act as the primary unit of the Philippine Army in addressing Disaster Rescue and Relief Operation (DRRO) concerns, not just in Metro Manila, but in the other parts of the country as well,” said Bangit in Saturday’s ceremony in Fort Bonifacio.

The unit, Bangit said, is composed of 25 officers and 400 enlisted personnel and will be headed by Major Edgardo Batenga.

Among those infused in the ACEMRF are some of the 300 newlyrecruited Army soldiers with a rank of private.