Kimberly Capuyan

Four Southeast Asian nations are sending air assets to the Philippines to support relief and aid operations in areas hit by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami), according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Photo Courtesy of ABS-CBN News.

OCD Administrator and Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said on October 26 that Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia have pledged to lend the Philippines C-130 aircraft and large choppers, among other air assets.

Nepomuceno clarified that the Philippines has enough air assets, but will still welcome “any additional help” from other countries.

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

Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) C-130 aircraft and Royal Malaysian Air Force Eurocopter EC725 transport helicopter arrived at Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on October 26.

The aircraft will provide airlift support to help the Philippine Air Force (PAF) deliver humanitarian aid supplies to communities affected by Kristine.

“During this challenging time, Singapore stands with our friends in the Philippines. This response underscores our warm defense ties and close Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) cooperation, as well as the enduring friendship between Singapore and the Philippines,” the Singapore Embassy in Manila said in a statement.

Nepomuceno noted that Taiwan has also signified their intention to send assistance in the Philippines’ relief operation.

Aside from the Asian nations, the Australian government and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have also provided relief aid to several regions in the Philippines.

Australia’s emergency food truck, called ‘Bluey,’ was deployed to Camarines Sur to distribute humanitarian aid, such as hot meals, to displaced residents.

The USAID, meanwhile, mobilized 50 trucks to send family food packs and relief items to 425,000 affected individuals in Bicol.

However, Nepomuceno said that only nine of the additional death reports have been validated, while others are still being confirmed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Management of the Dead and Missing (DILG-MDM) if they are related to the storm.

As of October 27, 90 people have been reported dead due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, according to the OCD.