Air assets from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are now available for deployment to assist in rescue and relief efforts in communities affected by massive flooding brought about by Tropical Storm Kristine, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Thursday.

“As we speak po, kinokolekta na po iyong mga commitment din ni (Defense) Secretary (Gilberto) Teodoro through the (AFP’s) J-3 (military operations) po,” OCD spokesman Director Edgar Posadas said during a Palace press briefing.

“In fact, nakita ko na po iyong listahan ng mga equipment, mayroon din po tayong 17 na air assets ‘no na naka-preposition sa Villamor, naka-preposition sa Cebu which are readily deployable weather permitting kasi we have to be sure din po that our pilots, our assets are safe,” he said.

Posadas also mentioned that vital support is arriving in the Bicol region, which was heavily affected by massive flooding. Assistance is coming from the AFP’s Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), as well as from Eastern Visayas.

Regarding the assistance requested by the Philippines from its Southeast Asian neighbors, Posadas said certain paperwork and documentation are being finalized to operationalize the request for additional air assets from those countries.

“SND (Secretary of National Defense) has already spoken to Ambassador of Singapore to the Philippines and he also mentioned Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, these are our ASEAN neighbors, co-members of ASEAN,” Posadas said, noting the country’s request for more air assets is in consonance with President Marcos’ guidance to bring in more goods to the affected areas.

“So, I think, as we speak, there are certain paper works and documentations which have to be undertaken and soon when that will be done and I’m sure we will announce, if this will already be operationalized,” he said. | PND