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MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines thanked Timor-Leste on Friday, November 7, after it pledged to send 120 engineers and firefighters to assist in cleaning and rehabilitating areas devastated by Typhoon “Tino” (international name: Kalmaegi).
The commitment from ASEAN’s newest member comes amid an outpouring of international sympathy and support, following the typhoon’s rampage through Cebu and other parts of central Philippines.
At least 188 people have been killed in the disaster, with the majority of deaths in Cebu.
In a statement on Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expressed its gratitude for the offers of assistance from the international community in the aftermath of the typhoon.
“We are also deeply heartened by the many messages of sympathy and solidarity that we received from our international partners,” the DFA said.
“We welcome, in particular, the announcement of Timor Leste, the newest member of ASEAN, to deploy 120 Timorese engineers and firefighters to assist in the cleaning and rehabilitation of affected areas,” it added.
DFA Spokesperson Angelica Escalona said there was no request from the Philippines for international humanitarian assistance.
Timor-Leste joined ASEAN as its 11th member on October 26, some two weeks before a major typhoon struck the Philippines. Its commitment to deploy emergency responders to the Philippines is one of its first inter-regional acts as an official ASEAN member-state.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency for the whole country yesterday due to the massive destruction brought by Tino. — Cristina Chi
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Credit belongs to: www.philstar.com
