2 Indonesian military choppers to aid PH disaster relief ops

MANILA, Philippines — Two Indonesian military helicopters arrived in the country to augment the Philippine Air Force's (PAF) humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions for areas severely affected by recent weather disturbances.

The Indonesian National Armed Forces' Mi-17V5 and H-225M choppers landed at the Villamor Air Base, Pasay City on Thursday.

«With the arrival of these helicopters, the PAF's aerial relief capabilities are further strengthened, enabling more efficient delivery of much-needed relief supplies to remote and inaccessible areas,» PAF spokesman Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said in a statement late Thursday.

The PAF has been actively transporting relief personnel and supplies to communities severely affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) and Super Typhoon Leon (international name Kong-rey) in the past few days.

To date, Castillo said, the Air Forces of Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia have extended their support to the Philippines' HADR missions.

Present during the arrival of the Indonesian aircraft and crew members were Indonesian Ambassador Widjojo and other ranking government and military officials.