Singapore, Malaysia, other nations assist in Kristine relief operations

MANILA, Philippines — Military aircraft from Singapore and Malaysia have arrived in the country to assist in relief operations in areas devastated by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said a Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 cargo plane and a Eurocopter EC725 transport helicopter of the Royal Malaysian Air Force arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay on Saturday.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. welcomed the arrival of the aircraft with Singaporean Ambassador Constance See, Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino and PAF Commanding General Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño.

PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the aircraft will play a crucial role in bolstering the PAF’s ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in areas affected by Kristine.

Office of Civil Defense Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno said Saturday that Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia have signified their intention to send their air assets to the country, which can help in transporting relief goods to communities affected by the onslaught of Kristine.

Meanwhile, Australia sent its “Bluey” emergency food truck to Camarines Sur. The truck can serve up to 800 hot meals per day to people displaced by the storm.

“This response is part of Australia’s long-standing partnership with @philredcross to deliver immediate humanitarian assistance,” Australian Ambassador HK Yu wrote on Twitter.

Four trucks from the National Food Authority (NFA) and Food Terminal Inc. carrying rice arrived yesterday in storm-devastated Naga as part of the government’s efforts to help communities affected by Kristine.

Last Friday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Philippines has adequate rice supply despite the effects of Kristine. The Department of Agriculture (DA) was able to harvest about 60 to 70 percent of the rice crops more than a week before the storm hit the country, he added.

“Then we have Kadiwa trucks also in (Camarines Sur), we also have NFA rice ordered by the LGUs (local government units) being deployed as we speak. And to prepare for what is coming, we also instructed NFA to send additional rice above and