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US defense chief assures aid to Davao de Oro quake victims

Philippines | National

US defense chief assures aid to Davao de Oro quake victims

By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin vowed that the US would provide humanitarian assistance to the earthquake victims that rocked a Davao de Oro town on Wednesday evening.

President 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. meets US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in MalacaÃ±ang, Feb. 2, 2023. (MalacaÃ±ang photo)

Austin said this after a magnitude six tectonic earthquake struck New Bataan in Davao de Oro at 6:44 p.m. on Wednesday.

In his meeting with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Austin committed to extending aid to the earthquake victims.

"We are very sorry to learn yesterday that there was an earthquake down in Mindanao," Austin told Marcos.

"I'm relieved to hear from my team that the damage was not significant, at least, that's what we understand thus far, and of course, we have not heard of significant injuries being reported as well, but we know how these things develop," he added.

According to the senior US official, they already have personnel in the affected area.

"We stand ready to help in any way that we can. I think our AID (Agency for International Development) personnel are in the area, and they stand ready to help to provide humanitarian assistance when and where possible," Austin said.

"So please don't hesitate to reach out if there's a need," he added.

Austin and other US officials were in MalacaÃ±ang to pay a courtesy call on President Marcos.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos PH-US ties Lloyd Austin III aid Earthquake LLOYD AUSTIN President Marcos

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