Aquino offers help to quake-hit Indonesia

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Wednesday offered help to the Philippines' neighboring country — Indonesia — after it was hit by an earthquake and a tsunami that killed at least 113 people. "At this time of grief for the Indonesian people, the Filipino people joins me in expressing sorrow and concern for our brothers and sisters devastated by the recent earthquake and tsunami," Aquino said in a statement. "We are prepared to assist in any way we can. We are also confident that Indonesia will meet this challenge with the resolve, compassion, and unity that has marked their response to the national calamities in the past," he added. Aquino is in Vietnam for his state visit and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, of which the Philippines and Indonesia are both members. At a press briefing in Malacañang, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Philippines can send a humanitarian team to assist in rescue and relief efforts in Indonesia. However, the Indonesian government has not asked for assistance so far, Lacierda said. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there are some 100,000 Filipinos in Indonesia. So far, however, no Filipino has been reported to be among the casualties in the twin disasters that hit the Asian country. DFA Undersecretary for migrant workers affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. said the DFA and the Department of Labor and Employment are prepared to accommodate Filipinos in Indonesia who want to return home after the tragedy. — Jam Sisante/RSJ, GMANews.TV