Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia to send air assets for Kristine aid ops —OCD

At least four of the country’s neighboring countries have pledged to provide their air assets to support the Philippine government’s relief and aid operations in areas hit by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami), according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

“‘Yung pakikipagtulungan sa atin ng mga ibang bansa, namely… Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, formal na ‘yan. Magpadala rin sila ng air assets,” OCD Administrator and Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said at the Saturday News Forum.

(With regard to the help coming from other countries, namely Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, that was already formalized. They will also send air assets.)

Nepomuceno said the four countries pledged to lend C-130 aircraft, large choppers, among other air assets to help the Philippines deliver relief supplies to Kristine-hit communities.

The OCD official said the country has enough air assets, but nonetheless, will welcome “any additional help” from other countries.

“Any additional help is a sign of solidarity with our partners,” Nepomuceno said.

The Singapore Embassy in Manila said a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) C-130 aircraft is scheduled to arrive at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Villamor Airbase to help deliver humanitarian aid supplies to communities affected by Kristine.

Apart from the four Southeast Asian neighbors, Taiwan also relayed its intention to provide aircraft to aid in the Philippines’ relief operation, the OCD official said.

As of Saturday morning, 81 people have been reported dead following the devastation of Kristine.

Most of the reported deaths were from CALABARZON at 48, followed by Bicol Region (Region V) at 28 killed.

Cordillera Autonomous Region, Ilocos Region (Region I), and Zamboanga Peninsula Region (Region IX) have reported two, one, and one deaths, respectively. —KG, GMA Integrated News