MANILA — The Philippines will wait for a formal request from the Indonesian government before deploying manpower that will help in the rehabilitation of quake and tsunami-ravaged island of Sulawesi, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday.
“(We) will (wait) for the request of the Indonesian government if they want people from us to help in the rehabilitation,” he added. Earlier, the Philippines deployed a Lockheed C-130 “Hercules” cargo aircraft loaded with aid and other relief items for Indonesia last Wednesday.
The items transported consisted of six water filtration units, six generators, 100 tents, 4,400 assorted sleeping kits,
Another sortie is scheduled on Oct. 15, Lorenzana added.
“The C-130 (and its crew) will be staying there (Indonesia) for quite some time to help in the ferrying of goods,” he added. But the DND chief clarified that the Philippines will not be involved in the ongoing retrieval operations.
The magnitude 7.5 earthquake, which struck Sulawesi, Indonesia took place last Sept. 28 killed an estimated 2,000 people and destroyed 7,000 houses aside from triggering a six meter-tsunami.
Budi Dhewajani, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indonesian Embassy in the Philippines, expressed her thanks to the aid being provided by the country.
“We thank, as I have mentioned earlier, we thank the government and the people of the Philippines for all the condolence and assistance when my government (requested) for international support, the Philippine government quickly responded (to) assist us in this difficult situation,” she added. (/PNA)
