300 Korean Army members arrive, to be deployed in typhoon-affected areas

CEBU, Philippines - Starting today, 300 Republic Korean Army members, who are mostly doctors and engineers, would be deployed in Leyte towns badly devastated by super typhoon Yolanda.

Korean Ambassador Lee Hyuk made the announcement during a simple ceremony at the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base, where top Philippine Air Force and Philippine Army officials welcomed the foreign soldiers.

Aside from the 300, who would be deployed in the towns of Palo, Tolosa, and Tanauan, 229 more are also on their way to the Philippines on board a Korean Navy ship.

According to Lee, the presence of Korean soldiers is part of a long history of friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and his country.

He recalled that in the 1950s war between South Korea and North Korea, the Philippines helped by sending 7,500 soldiers, 112 of whom were killed.

“We came here not for war but to help the Filipino people who are badly affected by the typhoon,” said Lee.

 He said his people acknowledged the role Filipino soldiers played during the time when they also “needed assistance in fighting for freedom against North Korean soldiers.”

He further said that the Republic Korean Army would assist in reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts of the Philippine government. The Korean soldiers would stay in the country within the next six to 12 months.

For his part, Undersecretary Eduardo Batac, who represented Department of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, thanked the Koreans on behalf of the national government and the Filipino people.

Batac said the government is now in the reconstruction and rehabilitation phase in its effort to help survivors in Leyte, Samar, and other parts of the Visayas.

He said the arrival of the Korean Army is a big help.

Batac said their role is to closely coordinate with the Koreans, as they already identified areas in Leyte where they provided support in reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Major General John Bonafos, commander of the Central Command (Centcom), said presence of the 529 Korean personnel is a big help.

Bong Hwan “Charlie” Cho, newly-elected president of the Cebu Korean Association, is closely coordinating with national government agencies and authorities in Cebu on the arrival of the delegation.

He said the Koreans would be stationed for months to carry our relief missions and to provide humanitarian support to residents, especially those in Tacloban City.

Charlie added that the Korean Community in Cebu is happy to show concern for survivors of super typhoon Yolanda and to provide help to them in reconstruction and rehabilitation.

For his part, Col. Chui Won Lee, commander of the Republic of Korea Joint Support Group, assured the people of Leyte that they would do all they can to provide support in the government’s reconstruction and rehabilitation program.— (FREEMAN)