Timor Leste, ASEAN's newest member, on Friday pledged to send a 120-man team to typhoon-devastated areas in southern Philippines to assist in the government's rehabilitation efforts.
"We are deeply heartened by the many messages of sympathy and solidarity that we received from our international partners," the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
"We welcome, in particular, the announcement of Timor Leste to deploy 120 Timorese engineers and firefighters to assist in the cleaning and rehabilitation of affected areas."
Timor Leste became the 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on October 26, 2025 during the 47th summit of the regional bloc in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia following more than two decades of accession process.
Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) left at least 188 people dead and 135 others missing mainly in Cebu province. It caused widespread damage to communities and infrastructure after the storm battered the region.
Massive flooding inundated residential areas, prompting residents to climb up to their roofs, where they sought immediate help from the local officials.
Washington and several other foreign governments from Canada, Australia, Japan have expressed their readiness to assist in recovery efforts. Sweden and Russia sent their condolences to the families of the victims.
"The Queen and I wish to express our deepest and most sincere condolences on the tragic loss of lives caused by the devastating typhoon. We also wish to offer our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims and to the people of the Philippines," according to a telegram from Sweden's King Carl Gustaf to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
"Please accept my deepest condolences on the numerous human casualties and large-scale destruction caused by the typhoon that struck the central regions of your country," said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Russia shares the grief of the families and friends of the victims and hopes that the consequences of this natural disaster will be overcome as soon as possible."
The Philippine government through the DFA conveyed 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." — RSJ, GMA Integrated News