11 countries poised to help PHL in ‘Ruby’ disaster relief missions

The Secretary of the Interior and Local Government is in Borongan, Eastern Samar to help ensure that LGUs are prepared, and their constituents living in coastal communities are evacuated, once #RubyPH makes landfall. Secretary Roxas leads the National Government Frontline Team (Photo by the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office)

MANILA — With Typhoon “Ruby” still battering a huge part of the country, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday announced that 11 countries have expressed willingness to help in disaster relief and humanitarian missions in wake of the storm.

This was stressed by AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang after announcing the activation of the MNCC (multi-national coordination center).

“We have already activated the MNCC and we have 11 countries who have 11 countries who have signified their intention to assist us,” he said.

These countries are Australia, Japan, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, Canada, Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and China.

Earlier, the US Embassy in Manila has offered nine Lockheed C-130 “Hercules” cargo aircraft and three Lockheed P-3C “Orion” maritime surveillance planes for air assessment and monitoring.

Medical, relief workers and other support if needed, will also be provided.