Manila, Nov. 7 -- Timor-Leste is deploying 120 Timorese engineers and firefighters to assist in the ongoing recovery efforts in areas severely hit by Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi).

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) made the announcement on Friday as it welcomed the Southeast Asian state's offer of assistance.

In the same statement, the agency thanked foreign governments that conveyed their messages of sympathy and solidarity in the aftermath of the typhoon, which pummeled the already earthquake-battered Cebu and several other parts of the country this week.

"The Philippines expresses its sincere appreciation to the offers and commitments of humanitarian assistance from the international community for our relief and recovery operations ...