HMS Daring’ Helicopters Provides Relief Goods to Bantayan Island

The British Royal Navy destroyer, HMS Daring joined the multi-national force providing help to the victims of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” particularly in the Northern part of Cebu Province. With the use of the ship’s helicopters they were able to airlift relief goods to families living in three barangays of Kinatarkan in the Municipality of Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island.

HMS Daring Bantayan Island

Royal Navy’s HMS Daring Now in Cebu

Contrary to other news media organizations’s report, there is no “Guintakan Island in Sta. Fe,” as far as I knew as a native of Bantayan island, the island located in the eastern portion of Sta. Fe is the island of “Kinatarkan” not “Guintakan.”

The HMS Draing ship’s crew composed of the executive officer, medical team, engineers and communications team were joined by the representative of the Save the Children Foundations and the liaison officer of the Philippine Navy Multinational Coordinating Council, Cmdr. Oscar Faeldon, during the distribution of relief in the island of Kinatarkan (Batbatan island).

Kinatarkan Island is one of the heavily affected areas in Northern Cebu as they suffered a direct hit by super typhoon Yolanda, the island is part of the Bantayan group of islands and islets where Yolanda made a fourth landfall last November 8, 2013.

According to the officers of one of HMS Daring’s helicopters, they sighted a call for help of the residents, who used the debris of the disaster and formed the word “HELP” in a open ground hoping that a p(–foul word(s) removed–)ing aircraft will notice it.

The Royal Navy ship verified what they have seen and after verification, they sought permission from the Philippine Navy to conduct relief operations in the island. The crew of HMS Daring provided relief goods consisting of high-energy biscuits, canned goods and shelter kits, the group also provided medical services and gave medicines to 200 individuals.

Aside from the relief efforts made by British sailors, they also repaired the barangay Hall of Agdan using roofing materials derived from the ravaged facilities of the island.

Kudos to the British and HMS Daring for coming to my hometown Bantayan Island…

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