AFP ready to help in repatriation of Pinoys in Korea if tension escalates

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said it is prepared to help the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) when the need to repatriate Filipinos in the Korean peninsula arises. 
 
"Our air assets are ready to support whatever the decision or policy of our Department of Foreign Affairs is. As of now, we have--in the inventory of our air--we have three C130s flying and one C295... Kung darating sa ganyan [repatriation], we are ready to support the DFA," military Public Affairs Office chief Col. Noel Detoyato told reporters. 
 
Detoyato said air support has always been ready for deployment. But he stressed that the DFA has not given them a go signal yet. 
 
"Ang Department of Foreign Affairs natin with Armed Forces we have established procedures on that, procedures, protocols and system kasi nangyari na dati e. It's just a matter of putting up the system," he said. 
 
Tensions between South and North Koreas escalated when landmine explosions at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) injured two South Korean soldiers earlier this month. 
 
South Korea wants an apology over the incident. North Korea denied it laid the mines. Both sides are ramping up their military readiness. They exchanged artillery fire on Thursday. 
 
The United Nations, the United States, and the North's lone major ally, China, have all told them to calm down. 
 
Both Koreas have started negotiations on Saturday evening. — Trisha Macas/RSJ, GMA News

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