Roc Navy Ships Head for Philippines

A Republic of China Navy vessel departed from Zuoying Naval Base in southern Taiwan Monday to deliver relief supplies to the typhoon-ravaged Philippines, the first time a Taiwanese warship has visited that country in 10 years.

The “Chung He” tank-landing craft will take about four days to reach Cebu, in the central Philippines, with its arrival time estimated to be late Nov. 28 or early Nov. 29.

Antonio Basilio, the Philippines' representative in Taiwan, said at a ceremony marking the shipment of relief supplies that his government and countrymen were very grateful for Taiwan's assistance in Manila's post disaster relief and reconstruction efforts.

The R.O.C. naval ship is delivering 552 tons of relief supplies and equipment, including canned fish, excavation machinery and prefabricated houses, Taiwan's Vice Foreign Minister Joseph Shih said at the ceremony.

Among the items being shipped are 80 prefabricated houses, donated by the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, which will be used to set up a “Taiwan village” in the disaster zone, Shih said, adding that the charity is expected to donate more prefabricated houses...