THE European Union (EU), Asean member-states and China on Sunday expressed readiness to assist the Philippines with its recovery and relief operations as Typhoon Ompong (international code name Mangkhut) battered Northern Luzon during the weekend.
In a statement, the EU Delegation in Manila expressed “its sincerest sympathies to the victims and to those severely affected by Ompong.”
“The EU is consistently monitoring the situation and stands ready to assist the Filipino people in this difficult time,” it added.
The Asean, through its Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance, also noted that the regional bloc is prepared to extend all help to the typhoon-ravaged parts of the Philippines should the country request assistance.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “China will help the Philippines within its capacity as soon as possible.”
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang relayed Beijing’s “deep condolences” to the impact, the casualties and property loss the country suffered from the typhoon.
“We believe that, under the leadership of President Duterte and the Philippine government, people in the affected regions of the Philippines will properly deal with this disaster, minimize life and property loss and restore [their normal way of] life at an early date,” he noted.
The Chinese official also confirmed that the scheduled visit of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi was suspended, pending a new date to be determined by the two sides’ diplomatic channels.
“Considering the Philippine government is focusing on battling this disaster and has suggested a rescheduling, the Chinese side agreed to postpone State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to the Philippines, which was previously scheduled [from September 16 to] 17,” Geng said.
Meanwhile Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Koji Haneda offered his sincerest condolences to the families of the victims of Ompong and expressed his sympathies to all those affected.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Kono relayed the envoy’s message to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano on September 17, which read:
“I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathy to the government of the Philippines and its people [who suffered] damages from Ompong. The government of Japan stands with the government of the Philippines and its people. [It] is ready to provide the maximum possible assistance to the Philippines.”
It also said, “My deepest condolences are with the bereaved, and I sincerely pray for the speedy recovery of the affected people, as well as the prompt restoration of the affected areas.”
For its part, the embassy of France has expressed “its most sincere condolences to the families of the victims of Ompong.… We extend our sympathy to all affected by this catastrophe, and express our solidarity with the Philippine authorities [whom] we stand ready to examine the assistance and aid they may need to face the consequences of this tragedy.
Ompong was the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year, which left at least 54 people killed due to landslides—most of whom were from the Cordillera Administrative Region—while authorities are still conducting search operations for 42 missing individuals.