RSAF personnel conducting pre-flight checks in preparation for the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission. - PHOTO: MINDEF via The Straits Times/ANN
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN/MANILA (Bernama-PNA): Four South-East Asian nations - Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia - are sending assistance to the Philippines to support recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami), it was reported.
At a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday, Office of Civil Defence (OCD) Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said that 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 namely - it’s 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."
In a statement on Saturday, the Singaporean Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Singaporean Armed Forces (SAF) is deploying one Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 transport aircraft to aid in 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 (HADR) 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.
The death toll in the Philippines from Tropical Storm Trami rose to 87 on Oct 26, while hundreds of thousands of people were displaced after fleeing floods driven by a torrential downpour that dumped two months worth of rainfall in just two days in some areas, AFP reported.
While the storm exited the Philippines on Oct 25, there is a chance that it may turn back towards the country by Oct 27.
However, this will depend on the behaviour of another tropical storm that may enter the Philippine area of responsibility – but away from Philippine landmass – as early as Oct 26 night, said state weather agency Pagasa. - Bernama-PNA
