Manila: Timor-Leste is deploying 120 Timorese engineers and firefighters to assist in the ongoing recovery efforts in areas severely hit by Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi). The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) made the announcement on Friday as it welcomed the Southeast Asian state's offer of assistance.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DFA expressed gratitude to foreign governments that conveyed their messages of sympathy and solidarity in the aftermath of the typhoon, which affected Cebu and several other parts of the country this week. The agency stated, 'The Philippines expresses its sincere appreciation to the offers and commitments of humanitarian assistance from the international community for our relief and recovery operations in the aftermath of the widespread destruction to Cebu and other parts of Central Philippines resulting from Typhoon Tino.'

Timor-Leste, the newest member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is among the countries that have offered aid, alongside the United States, Canada, and Australia. In a separate interview on Thursday, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman reiterated that Canada is 'ready, willing, and able' to provide support upon the request of the government. Hartman stated, 'We're very conscious of not wanting to overwhelm authorities and get in the way - There's no request yet from the Philippine side, we're waiting for that absolutely.'

On Friday, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Angelica Escalona confirmed that there 'was no request for international assistance.'