Australia, Italy end mission in the Visayas

CEBU, Philippines - Foreign missions have completed their recovery assistance operations in typhoon-hit areas in the Visayas and will return to their respective countries within the week.

The defense forces of Australia and Italy officially ended their missions last Monday through a ceremony in Ormoc City which was attended by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and local officials including Mayor Edward Codilla.

The Australian Defense Force (ADF) is composed of the Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force while the Italian Defense Force (IDF) is composed of the Italian Air Force.

Both defense forces were headed by Maj. Jaried Pendleberry, wing commander of the AAF and Maj. Macri Carmelo, commander of the IAF.

Almost 300 personnel of the ADF and 39 of the IDF will be boarding the KC30 and the Qantas 747 aircrafts in a sent off ceremony at the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday morning.

“It’s an amazing experience on how the operation moved and through it we knew what areas require more help and it was very meaningful for us to help Philippines,” Pendleberry said in a press conference.

Pendleberry added that the courage that people showed to strive hard to survive amid the calamity encouraged them to pursue what they have started.

Carmelo also said that he is proud to be one of those who were sent to execute help in the country in times of calamities.

“I am proud to be part of those nations who worked together for the Filipino people,” he said.

For his part, Division Commander of the 2nd Air Division, Brig. Gen. Romeo Poquiz, thanked the international community for the help in terms of construction and rehabilitation assistance.

“We transported 30,000 people from typhoon affected areas and we are now in the rehabilitation phase,” Poquiz said.

Poquiz saluted to all defense force personnel who did their job with passion who continuously did the operation either its hot or raining.

The super typhoon Yolanda hit Regions 6, 7 and 8 last November 8 which left 6,038 casualties; 27,578 injured; 1,755 missing and about 890,071 families or 4,093,298 individuals were displaced.— (FREEMAN)