PASIG CITY, (PIA) — Military aircraft from Singapore and Malaysia touched down in the Philippines Saturday to support relief operations in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Trami, which has claimed at least 81 lives.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force dispatched a C-130 cargo aircraft while the Royal Malaysian Air Force sent a Eurocopter EC725 transport helicopter to Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, according to Philippine Air Force officials.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. welcomed the foreign assistance alongside Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abd Malik Castelino, Singaporean Ambassador Constance See, and Philippine Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño.
The foreign aircraft will supplement Philippine forces in transporting critical supplies and personnel to storm-ravaged areas, particularly in the Bicol Region where flooding has left many communities isolated.
In Camarines Sur province, one of the worst-hit areas, Philippine Army engineers have distributed over 1,100 food packs and emergency drinking water to five villages in Bula town. The Army has deployed additional resources across the Bicol Region to assist flood-affected residents.
The tropical storm, known locally as Kristine, exited Philippine territory Friday after causing widespread flooding across the archipelago. Officials are still working to validate dozens of reported casualties and assess infrastructure damage estimated at over 203 million pesos ($3.6 million).
The countries of Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia have mobilized humanitarian assistance and are sending aid, including air assets for relief distribution as earlier announced by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). (JEG/PIA-NCR)
(Photos courtesy of Office of Civil Defense)
