MANILA, Oct 26 — Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia are sending assistance to the Philippines to support recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Trami, Philippine News Agency reported.
At a news forum in Quezon City today, Office of Civil Defence Administrator undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said Singapore would deploy its air assets to assist in delivering relief to affected regions.
“Although, again, we don’t have a problem with the relief items, but other countries are helping us — it is automatic for Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia to help — that’s formal. They’ve also sent their air assets,” he said.
Nepomuceno did not mention further details about the assistance but noted that any additional help is “a sign of solidarity with our partners”.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has deployed an EC 725 AP helicopter from No.5 Squadron, Labuan Air Base to support humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.
In a statement to Bernama today, the RMAF said this deployment demonstrates the Malaysian government’s commitment to humanitarian assistance, providing crucial air logistics support to help deliver disaster relief supplies to affected communities in the Philippines.
The helicopter departed Labuan Air Base at 7am today, bound for Villamor Air Base in Manila, and the flight is expected to take approximately five and a half hours, with a scheduled refuelling stop at Antonio Bautista Air Base.
The mission is led by Thaddeus Raphael ak Azis@Sait, accompanied by a team of 15, including two pilots, one co-pilot, two engineering officers, two air quartermasters, five aircraft technicians, and four members of the RMAF Special Forces.
Villamor Air Base will serve as the hub for the relief mission, with the RMAF team transporting aid supplies to disaster-affected areas designated by the Philippine government, including Pili Airport in Naga City and Daraga-Albay International Airport.
In a statement today, Singaporea’s Defence Ministry confirmed the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is deploying one Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 transport aircraft to aid humanitarian efforts in the country.
“The SAF’s contributions underscore the warm and friendly bilateral and defence ties and close Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief cooperation between Singapore and the Philippines,” it said.
The RSAF C-130 aircraft will provide airlift support to deliver humanitarian aid supplies to communities affected by the storm.
— Bernama
