Blinken, Austin express condolences to victims of Carina, monsoon rains

United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III (L) and United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) during a joint courtesy call to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. PHOTO BY YUMMIE DINGDING / PPA POOL

MANILA, Philippines — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III offered their condolences and committed aid to victims of Typhoon Carina and the strong southwest monsoon.

“Let me just start by sending our deepest condolences to all the victims of the recent typhoon, and to say again, anything we can do to be of assistance, we welcome doing that,” Blinken said in a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday.

“Mr. President, let me echo Tony’s comments on the warm welcome. It really is great to be back in the country again, and also his offer of condolences for those who have been affected by the storm,” Austin said.

READ: Carina, monsoon rains leave P19.3-million damage to agriculture in Bicol

Blinken and Austin were in the country for the 4th Philippines-US Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue (2+2 Dialogue). They paid a courtesy call on Marcos before the dialogue.

Carina (international name: Gaemi) and the southwest monsoon, locally called habagat, which the typhoon enhanced, brought torrential rains, and caused flooding in many parts of the country, including Metro Manila, recently.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in its latest report that it confirmed 14 of the 36 reported deaths due to the typhoon and strong southwest monsoon. The agency also said six people were reported injured, while three people remain missing as at least 4.5 million people were affected by the calamity.