Philippines sends C-130 to Indonesia to help quake, tsunami victims

October 10, 2018

The Philippines sent a C-130 plane to Indonesia to provide some humanitarian assistance for the victims of an earthquake in Palu City where thousands have been reported killed. In an interview Wednesday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said a second sortie of the Philippine Air Force's C-130 will be done on October 15. Lorenzana said the C-130 which was sent this morning will stay "for quite some time to help ferrying of goods."

Budi  Dhewajani, Indonesia’s deputy of mission to the Philippines, who joined Lorenzana in sending  off the C-130  to her country at Villamor Air Base, thanked the Philippine government.

“We thank the government and the people of the Philippines for all the condolence and assistance when my government open for international support. The Philippine government quickly responded to assist us in this difficult situation,” she said.

"This request has been given to us since last week and it took us a while to prepare for the goods. As I've said a while ago, we could've reacted earlier had we not had a disaster here in the Philippines lately. Up to now were still retrieving the bodies in the landslide," said Lorenzana. At least 2,000 have died from an earthquake and tsumani that struck Palu in September 28, news reports said. The Philippine contingent will not be involved in retrieval of the victims, said Lorenzana. "What we are doing now is that we are bringing relief goods like tents, others that were loaded today. I think we are also donating some amount. I don't know the exact amount that the government will give to the government of Indonesia to be used in the rehabilitation of the victims of tsunami in the city of Palu," he added. Lorenzana said the Philippine government will wait if Indonesia will ask for manpower to help in the rehabilitation efforts. DMS