Gov’t extends help to Japan

MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte will send Philippine troops, engineers, and doctors to help in the rescue and rehabilitation efforts in areas hit hard by the massive flooding and landslides in western Japan.

Duterte made the pronouncement during a meeting with his Cabinet officials at Malacañan Palace on Monday, July 9, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a statement.

Roque said the President also offered to give medicines to the Japanese government.

"[I am] offering Pinoy soldiers, including engineers and doctors, to help [in] rescue and rehabilitation efforts in Japan," the President was quoted as saying.

"[I] will also send medicines to Japan," he added.

Over 120 people have died from the heavy flooding caused by torrential rains that began late last week. Tens of thousands of people in western Japan have been displaced as their homes were destroyed.

The death toll is expected to rise further as Japanese officials assessed that many people are still stranded in their homes where roads are impassable because of the flooding.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had to cancel his planned visit to Europe and the Middle East this week to focus on the rescue operations.

The Japanese government already deployed some 73,000 troops and emergency workers to save survivors.