THANKS, FAREWELL | Korean volunteers for Yolanda victims exit PH, leave P200-M gear to AFP

From InterAksyon (Dec 23): THANKS, FAREWELL | Korean volunteers for Yolanda victims exit PH, leave P200-M gear to AFP

Following a successful humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) mission in typhoon-stricken areas of Leyte, military volunteers from South Korea flew home Monday, leaving over P200 million worth of HADR equipment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.Among the equipment turned over to the AFP are excavators, forklifts, dump trucks, tractors, pay loaders and backhoes. Other equipment for administrative purposes such as buses, fumigation vehicle, medical supplies and container vans were also turned over to the AFP.

A simple send-off ceremony for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces (ROKAF) Contingent to Leyte was held at Mactan Air Base in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu. this was attended by senior military officers led by Major General Eusaquito P Manalo, Commander of the 2nd Air Division, Philippine Air Force; and Mr Ki-seog Lee, the Korean Consul General based in Cebu City.

Recognition from AFP top brass

Just recently, the ROKAF contingent to Leyte was recognized by the AFP leadership for their invaluable and selfless efforts in aiding victims of Typhoon Yolanda since last year.

In a Mission Completion Ceremony held on December 16 at the ROKAF Joint Support Group headquarters in Brgy Candahug, AFP Chief of Staff, General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. - along with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Undersecretary Alexander Pama, chief of the Office of Civil Defense - awarded the AFP Command Plaque and Commendation Medals to the mission commander, Col. Lee Chul Won and the Korean contingent.

The military volunteers from the ROKAF were among the first to render HADR and clearing operations in places hard-hit by Typhoon Yolanda, particularly in the provinces of Eastern Samar, Eastern Leyte and in Ormoc City.

The Korean military personnel, in cooperation with the AFP, national government agencies and other local government units, were deployed all over the affected areas and participated in the delivery of relief goods and other humanitarian services even in inaccessible areas which were isolated for days without food and water.

Decades-long alliance

The Republic of Korea and the Philippines share more than 60 years of partnership which is deeply rooted in the sacrifices of Filipino soldiers from the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) who fought and died alongside South Koreans during the Korean War in the 1950s.

Among the most famous Filipinos who saw action in South Korea are former president and then 1Lt. Fidel V. Ramos who led the assault on Hill Eerie on May 21, 1952; Colonel Nicanor Jimenez who commanded the 14thBattalion Combat Team; and then Lt. Col. Teodolfo Bautista, the late father of former AFP Chief of Staff, Retired General Emmanuel Bautista.

A total of 112 Filipino soldiers perished in battle while defending South Korea against the communist North Korea and China; 313 were wounded and 16 men remain officially missing-in-action to this day.

The Philippines was one of the first countries that extended help to the South Korean government against the invasion of the communist North Korea. It also helped South Korea rebuild itself after the war in 1953.

Since the deployment of PEFTOK, both countries have deepened their relations, with South Korea becoming one of the Philippines’ most important bilateral partners.

Major supplier of PH defense hardware

South Korea is one of the major suppliers of the Philippines’ military equipment such as vehicles, light machine guns and assorted ammunitions.

In the near future, the AFP will also be procuring 12 FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea as part of the military’s modernization and capability upgrade program. The first few units are expected to be delivered in 2015.

South Korea also offers various programs to benefit PEFTOK veterans and their dependents in the Philippines. This includes the "Korea Revisit Program" where PEFTOK veterans and some of their dependents are invited to revisit Korea for a week with free air fare and hotel accommodation. The Korean Government also supports PEFTOK scholars studying in South Korea.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/101732/thanks-farewell--korean-volunteers-for-yolanda-victims-exit-ph-leave-p200-m-gear-to-afp