The Pentagon has announced Saturday on providing the Philippines with naval and aviation resources after the country's devastating Typhoon Haiyan.
In a statement by US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and surface maritime search and rescue equipment were made available after a request from the Philippine government.
"Secretary Hagel has directed US Pacific Command to support US government humanitarian relief operations in the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan," it said. "The initial focus includes surface maritime search and rescue, medium-heavy helicopter lift support, airborne maritime search and rescue, fixed wing lift support and logistics enablers," the statement added.
[caption id="attachment_529" align="aligncenter" width="559"]
Super typhoon Haiyan slams central Philippines[/caption]Also, the United Nations states that the provisional 1,200 death toll from the super typhoon Haiyan is expected to rise and that it is sending emergency supplies to the stricken nation. The Pentagon has already coordinated with the US Agency for International Development and the American ambassador in Manila to continue to monitor the effects of the typhoon and was "ready to help our ally recover from the storm."
In the past, the United States held two large military bases in the Philippines until 1992 when it gave both up amid growing anti-American dispute. Similarly, a new agreement in 1999 allowed troops to return to the Philippines for joint military exercises every year. At this point, hundreds of US Special Forces troops are on short-term assignments in the southern Philippines training local troops to fight over Islamic militant groups. Meanwhile, proposal for the expansion of the American military presence in the Philippines is yet a negative deal.
For more trending news and updates, like us on Facebook follow us on Twitter add us to your circle in Google+ and we will keep you posted directly on your news feeds.
No comments: