Singapore, Malaysia air assets arrive to aid Kristine relief efforts

AIR SUPPORT The Royal Singapore Air Force’s C130 aircraft arrives at Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Saturday (Oct. 26, 2024). (Photo from PAF)

MANILA, Philippines — Military aircraft from Singapore and Malaysia arrived in the country on Saturday to provide assistance for the ongoing relief operations following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

A C-130 cargo aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and a Eurocopter EC725 transport helicopter from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) arrived at Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Saturday evening, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said.

These aircraft are set to play a crucial role in bolstering the Philippine Air Force’s ongoing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations in areas affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, according to a statement of Col. Ma. Consular Castillo, chief of PAF Public Affairs Office.

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

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army (PA) stepped up its relief operations in the province of Camarines Sur, one of the hardest hit areas of Kristine.

Two Urban Search and Rescue Teams (USAR) of the 525th Combat Engineer “Forerunner” Battalion distributed around 1,100 food packs and 18 boxes of drinking water for families in Barangays San Miguel, San Ramon, Umbao, Causip and San Roque in Bula town.

The PA also mobilized additional mobility assets and personnel to help flooded residents in other areas in the Bicol Region.

The Army leadership said it deployed HADR teams in various areas to conduct swift and effective rescue and relief operations in close coordination with local government units and national government agencies. (With Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)