8th ID Chief commends South Korean military contingents for their accomplishments in Leyte

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 6): 8th ID Chief commends South Korean military contingents for their accomplishments in Leyte

The AFP Commander of the 8th Infantry Division , Philippine Army based in Camp Lukban, Brgy. Maulong Catbalogan City has expressed thanks to the ROK Military contingents for helping the Philippine government in the recovery efforts in many areas in the region.

In his recent visit at the base camp of Republic of Korea Armed Forces Joint Support Group Philippines located at Brgy. Candahug, Palo Leyte, Major General Jet B. Velarmino commended the South Korean Military Contingents for their accomplishments since they arrived in Leyte last December 28, 2013.

“I would like to express gratitude in behalf of the people in Eastern Visayas for the repairs, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts that greatly uplifted the well-being of the communities affected by the super typhoon”, Velarmino said.

In a press release sent to PIA by Captain Amado Gutierrez, OIC, DPAO, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, it was learned that some accomplishments of the Korean soldiers in partnership with the Philippine Army Engineers Construction Units were presented during the official’s visit at the base camp.

This includes the repairs and rehabilitation of 17 elementary schools, 2 hospitals, 9 other government facilities like police stations, fire stations, courthouses and ABC Halls; fumigation of 235 barangays and treatment of 11, 168 medical and 1, 686  dental patients at the towns of Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa and Dulag in the Province of Leyte.

In addition, the South Korean soldiers were the ones responsible for the removal of 16, 600 tons of debris from the thoroughfares of the municipalities of Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa and Dulag, all are in Leyte.


Prior to this, about 9, 310, 000 liters of potable water were delivered by the Korean soldiers to helpless residents in various communities in said towns.

Furthermore, the ROK has also initiated a vocational training seminar for heavy equipment operation and Korean language classes for civilians and military personnel.  The first batch of training will finish on May 9, 2014 and the second batch will start on May 12, this year.

The most heart-warming act of the Korean soldiers is their efforts in helping rebuild or repair the homes of 9 Filipino war veterans whose houses were destroyed during Yolanda’s fury.

Said Filipino war veterans have been known to have fought during the Korean War from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953.

In same occasion, General Velarmino had also a chance to express his condolences to the people of South Korea who were saddened when a ship carrying koreans sank last April 16, this year.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2681399368479