MANILA/TOKYO – A Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) C-130 transport aircraft delivered drinking water on Thursday to assist communities affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Cebu on Sept. 30, killing about 70 people and injuring hundreds.
The relief mission marked the first operation conducted under the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between Japan and the Philippines, which took effect on Sept. 11. The accord allows Japanese and Philippine forces to deploy more easily on each other’s territory for joint training and humanitarian operations.
It coincides with Doshin-Bayanihan 5-25, a joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise between the Philippine Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force taking place Oct. 7 to 11 at Brig. Gen. Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu.
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said during a video conference with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. that the airlift mission was conducted in response to Manila’s request for assistance in transporting relief supplies.
The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) expressed its gratitude to the Japanese government for extending humanitarian aid.
“This effort aims to address urgent needs of communities affected by the recent earthquake in Cebu,” the DND said in an Oct. 7 statement.
“With the RAA in place, both activities underscore the pact’s pivotal role in facilitating enhanced bilateral defense collaboration, ensuring interoperability, and advancing both countries’ shared commitment to regional resilience, security, and stability,” it added. - Florenda Corpuz
(Photo courtesy of Japan Air Self-Defense Force)
