US ‘ready’ to help Philippines after deadly storm

WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent condolences to the Philippines Saturday after more than 600 people were feared killed in a storm, and said the United States stood “ready” to help.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton AFP FILE PHOTO

Relief workers said that 440 people had died and nearly 200 left missing after tropical storm Washi wreaked havoc in the southern Philippines, unleashing mammoth floods across vast areas of the country and destroying whole neighborhoods.

“On behalf of President (Barack) Obama and the people of the United States, I want to send my deepest condolences for the devastation and loss of life caused by flooding from Tropical Storm Washi,” Clinton said in a statement.

“The US government stands ready to assist Philippine authorities as they respond to this tragedy.”

The top US diplomat said “our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected.”

About 20,000 soldiers have been mobilized in a huge rescue and relief operation across the stricken north coast of the island of Mindanao, where the major ports of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan were worst hit.

President Benigno Aquino expressed concern at the extent of the tragedy and ordered government agencies to map out areas in the country most vulnerable to future flash floods.