NEWS & ARTICLES

PRESIDENT BUSH AND PRESIDENT ARROYO ANNOUNCE DEPLOYMENT OF USS RONALD REAGAN AIRCRAFT CARRIER GROUP TO THE PHILIPPINES U.S. Embassy Manila, June 25, 2008 Following their meeting in the Oval Office on June 24, United States President George W. Bush and Republic of the Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo agreed on the immediate deployment of the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier group to waters in the vicinity of Iloilo, Republic of the Philippines. The carrier group will support immediate rescue, recovery, and disaster relief efforts being carried out by Philippine authorities in the aftermath of Typhoon Frank (Fengshen). As President Bush said, “I expressed to President Arroyo our deep condolences to those who suffered as a result of the typhoon. We, the American people, care about the human suffering that's taking place, and we want to help our friends in a time of need.” The arrival of the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier group in the Republic of the Philippines exemplifies the longstanding ties between the United States and the Philippines and the U.S. commitment to assisting the Philippines, in keeping with our mutual commitments under the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Defense Treaty. USS Ronald Reagan is the largest and newest of the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. Its on-board aircraft are able to assist with transportation of cargo, aerial damage assessment, and support search-and-rescue operations. Under the direction of Philippine disaster relief authorities, USS Ronald Reagan personnel may provide assistance including aircraft support, production and delivery of potable water, medical assistance activities, and machinery repair. The USS Ronald Reagan’s carrier group includes the cruiserUSS Chancellorsville, the destroyers USS Decatur, USS Gridley, and USS Howard, the frigate USS Thach, and other supporting vessels. The USNS Stockham and U.S. Navy P-3 maritime surveillance aircraft continue to provide support and U.S. Navy divers are assisting Philippine personnel with rescue and recovery efforts on the capsized ferry, MV Princess of the Stars.

U.S. NAVY SHIPS ON STATION TO SUPPORT ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES Story Number: NNS080625-14 Release Date: 6/25/2008 9:38:00 PM By Lt. Ron Flanders, Carrier Strike Group 7 Public Affairs ILOILO, Republic of the Philippines (NNS) -- USS Ronald Reagan and other U.S. Navy ships arrived on station near the central Philippine island of Panay June 25 to join the humanitarian assistance mission being led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the wake of damage caused by Typhoon Fengshen. Rear Adm. Phil Wisecup, commander of the Navy ships, arrived on shore to meet with Lt. Gen. Ike Inserto, commander of AFP's Central Command, and other senior Philippine officers running the humanitarian assistance operation. Inserto and his senior commanders assessed the capabilities of the carrier and requested that the U.S. ships provide helicopter support to assist in delivering supplies to remote areas devastated by the typhoon. A Philippine Air Force C-130 cargo plane arrived at Iloilo's Cabatuan airport loaded with food supplies. Two C-2A Greyhound carrier onboard delivery (COD) aircraft, two HH-60H Seahawk helicopters and one SH-60F Seahawk helicopter flying from USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) delivered more than 12,000 bottles of fresh water and more than 7,500 lbs. of rice to the airport. Helicopters from the Navy ships are standing by to deliver these supplies to outlying areas in Panay as directed by the AFP. "We are here to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines," said Wisecup. "We feel a deep sense of regret for everyone who was affected by this tragedy, and we stand ready to support the AFP with anything we can do to help their efforts." The ships on station in the Sulu Sea include the Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76); embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14; the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62); and three ships of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7; the guided-missile destroyers USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Gridley (DDG 101) and the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43). Also providing assistance to the AFP in their efforts are the maritime prepositioning ship USNS Gunnery Sgt. Frank Stockham (T-AK 3017) and the rescue and salvage ship USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50), which have been assisting in the recovery operations of the sunken ferry Princess of the Stars. Onboard the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan, dozens of Sailors rapidly assembled into working parties and loaded the aircraft with water and rice once the AFP requested more supplies. "Our Sailors are very eager to participate in this mission," said Capt. Kenneth Norton, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer. "We're here to help our friends in time of need."

PANAY ISLAND ELICITS QUICK EMERGENCY REPONSE PIA Press Release 2008/06/27 Roxas City (27 June) -- President George Bush has quickly responded to the request of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for assistance in the aftermath of the typhoon, particularly in the Island of Panay by dispatching the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan to the Philippines, along with one cruiser, three destroyers and one frigate and other supporting vessels. The vessels will assist in transporting cargo, aerial damage assessment, search and rescue, production and delivery of potable water, medical assistance and machinery repair. The USS Ronald Reagan, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier in the service of the United States Navy, is the ninth ship in her class and is the Navy's newest aircraft carrier and has a displacement of about 97,000 metric tons. She is named in honor of former President Ronald Reagan. President Arroyo proceeded to Washington, June 25 to meet with US President Bush as the major leg of her US state visit. When she arrived in Washington, the President said President Bush also sent the USNS Stockholm, two helicopters, a P-3 marine surveillance aircraft and US Navy divers to help in the rescue and recovery effort, including victims of the sunken MV "Princess of the Stars" of Sulpicio Lines. President Arroyo assured the Filipino community in Washington that she is completely engaged "on a minute to minute basis" in the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts in the Philippines in the wake of "Typhoon" Frank widespread damage in the Philippines. She pointed out that she had been calling disaster coordinating council meetings almost daily, as she shrugged off calls for her to cut short her working visit to the United States and return home to oversee the rescue and relief efforts. We have been coordinating disaster relief and aid from allies here in Washington and everywhere else," the President told the Filipino community. She has mobilized the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) since then to visit and provide relief assistance to typhoon-stricken areas including Panay Island. On June 26, Vice President Noli De Castro led the core team composed of Social Secretary Esperanza Cabral and Health Secretary Franciscon Duque III to deliver emergency cash assistance, family food and clothing packs, water, drugs and medicines and purifying solutions for typhoon victims in the provinces of Aklan, Antique and Capiz through their respective provincial governments. With them also was Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul N. Banias. Capiz Senator Manuel A. Roxas was also able to convince the national government to prioritize his home-province and other Panay Island provinces in the delivery of relief assistance. Roxas accompanied the team in their province-hopping sorties. Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes was also here a day earlier to assess the power situation in the island and to hand out a P5-million financial assistance to the Capiz Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CAPELCO) to ensure the immediate restoration of power here. The province was without power at the height of the typhoon until it was partially restored by CAPELCO late afternoon of June 22 courtesy of the 15-megawatt modular power plant that was established by the National Power Corporation (NPC) at the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) Sub-Station in Barangay Timpas in Panitan town, situated about 18 kilometers from this city. CAPELCO General Manager Engr. Edgar Diaz told Vice President De Castro during a briefing at the Provincial Capitol, June 26 that power would be restored in the province over the weekend. During the reception, Filipinos based in Washington chipped in more than P100, 000 as their "initial" contribution to the typhoon relief operations back home. "We are doing everything possible to aid in the cleanup, provide disaster relief, and bring comfort to the families of the victims. We are holding the ferry company accountable, to ensure that we find out how this ferry tragedy could have occurred, so that we can take steps to make sure it never happens again," President Arroyo said. She expressed her gratitude to President Bush for the US government's quick response to President Arroyo's request for help. She thanked the Filipino kababayans for their remittances which have "immensely contributed to the growing Philippine economy." The USS Ronald Reagan is moving into Panay Island through Aklan and Antique waters in order to deliver what President Bush has committed as the US government's immediate response to President Arroyo's request for help in the aftermath of Typhoon "Frank." (PIA-JSC)

USAID PROVIDES ASSISTANCE IN AFTERMATH OF PHILIPPINE TYPHOON USAID release, June 23, 2008 WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing an initial $100,000 for the purchase of emergency relief supplies, including blankets, mosquito nets, and water containers, to families affected by the typhoon in the Philippines. On June 20, 2008, Typhoon Frank (Fengshen) passed over the Philippines, with heavy rains and sustained winds of nearly 100 miles per hour (mph) and gusts as high as 108 mph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration. The Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported that the storm affected more than 470,000 people across 20 provinces, including 320,000 people in the most affected provinces of Iliolo and Capiz in the Western Visayas Region. According to NDCC, Typhoon Frank has killed 94 people, injured 67 others, destroyed or damaged more than 150,000 homes, flooded approximately 555,987 acres of farmland, and damaged 18.5 tons of agricultural produce. High winds and heavy surf from Typhoon Frank also capsized a ferry boat with 750 people on board. NDCC reported 32 survivors and 4 confirmed deaths from the accident, with the remaining passengers and crew members missing. USAID is continuing to monitor the situation and stands prepared to provide additional assistance if needed.

US Assistance in Aftermath of Typhoon Frank U.S. Embassy Manila, June 23, 2008 The United States extends its sympathy to all who have been affected by Typhoon Frank (Fengshen) and its aftermath in the Republic of the Philippines. We deeply regret the loss of life both on land and from the sinking of the ferry, Princess of the Stars. The U.S. government has offered assistance to the Philippine authorities in carrying out rescue and recovery operations. The U.S Pacific Command has directed the USNS Stockham, with search and rescue helicopters aboard, to proceed to Sibuyan Island to be available to assist with rescue and recovery efforts for the passengers and crew of the Princess of the Stars. We anticipate that the helicopters will be in position to begin operations later today. Additionally, the U.S. Pacific Command has directed a U.S. Navy P-3 maritime surveillance aircraft to proceed to Clark International Airport to join in this effort. It should arrive later today and will be prepared to participate shortly after that. In addition, the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will be providing PhP 4 Million ($100,000.00) worth of essential relief goods through the Philippine National Red Cross, for immediate distribution in the most severely affected areas. The United States stands ready to provide any help that we can in the wake of this tragedy.

U.S. Continues to Support Philippine Disaster Relief in Typhoon Frank Aftermath U.S. Embassy Manila, June 27, 2008 Since its June 25 arrival in the Sulu Sea, the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier group has supported Philippine disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Frank (Fengshen). In direct coordination with Philippine and provincial government officials, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and the Philippine National Red Cross, U.S. military personnel are supporting immediate rescue, recovery, and disaster relief efforts being carried out by Philippine authorities. Said U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, “As President Bush said, friends help friends in a time of need and because of the strength of our friendship and partnership, U.S. and Philippine officials on the ground in Iloilo City were able to quickly mobilize a joint disaster relief effort.” Seven U.S. Navy Seahawk helicopters from USS Ronald Reagan, USS Howard and USS Thach have been working around the clock in partnership with the AFP, the NDCC and provincial government leaders to transport and deliver potable water and food supplies to the hardest hit areas in the Visayan region including the provinces of Iloilo, Aklan, and Antique on Panay Island and the North and South Gigante Islands. Over 28,000 bottles of water, 10,000 pounds of rice, and many other non-perishable food items have been delivered with operations continuing in the coming days. Also, U.S. military engineering teams are working with their Philippine counterparts to restore electrical power in particular at major hospitals in the Iloilo region. In addition to the PhP 4 million ($100,000) worth of essential relief goods donated through the Philippine National Red Cross, the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is sending a chartered aircraft to arrive June 29 with relief supplies, worth PhP 28.6 million ($650,000), sufficient for 20,000 beneficiaries.

PGMA Presides Over Joint Cabinet Meeting Via Remote Video Conference Office of the Press Secretary, June 23, 2008 President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presided this morning over a joint Cabinet and National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) meeting via remote video conference in order to be briefed on the status of search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts being conducted to help victims and repair infrastructure destroyed by typhoon "Frank" that battered the Visayas and Luzon regions over the last two days. The President, who is on a 10-day working visit to the United States of America, "video-conferenced" with Cabinet and NDCC officials during her meeting with the Filipino community in Fresno, California. First to give an update on typhoon Frank's eventual exit from the Philippine Area of Responsibility was Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. who reported to the President that there would be a "general improvement of weather conditions especially in the Visayas and Mindanao" by today (Tuesday, June 24) when Frank crosses over to the South China Sea. Next was NDCC chairman M/Gen. Glenn Rabonza who told the President that SAR (search and rescue) operations were still being conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the vicinity where Sulpicio Lines' M/V Princess of the Stars capsized off the waters of Sibuyan Island. Rabonza added that SAR operations were also being conducted in the province of Iloilo, one of the hardest hit provinces by typhoon "Frank," leaving it submerged in chest-deep flood waters. Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza told the President that operations of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) that were hampered due to the Metro-wide blackout would be fully operational by today. He added that "all airports and flights would be restored today" while telecommunication facilities that were affected by Frank’s strong winds and rain are being worked on expeditiously. Mendoza told the President that he had ordered the MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) to ground all vessels of Sulpicio Lines and to check on the sea worthiness of all Sulpicio ships following the sinking of MV Princess of the Stars yesterday (Monday, June 23). He added that he will be meeting with the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) to investigate the incident where at least 700 persons are still missing as of Sunday night. He pointed out that aside from this, the BMI will review the guidelines issued by PCG last June 2007, "especially on the saving of vessels." The PCG, represented by Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, assured the President that all was being done to "really scout the area for survivors." Tamayo said a total of five vessels composed of three Coast Guard ships and two tug boats were scouring the waters off Sibuyan Island in the province of Romblon for any possible survivors of the capsized M/V Princess of the Stars. He reported to the President that 28 survivors have already been rescued, to which the President exclaimed, "Oh praise God!" A representative of Sulpicio Lines, Edgardo Co, who was also present during the meeting, told the President that the company would shoulder all expenses of the victims of the sunken ship and their families. Last to give an update was Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez who gave the President a general view on the situation of victims from the province of Iloilo. Gonzalez, a former congressman of Iloilo, told the President that the situation in the province was still "critical." He, however, assured that "thousands of people in evacuation centers" have been dwindling in number because of the number of evacuees already occupying known evacuation centers. "We lack evacuation centers actually because our schools were also flooded," Gonzalez said. He added that the affected local governments of Iloilo province talked to the owners of several malls in the city to allow the evacuees to temporarily occupy their top floors. Churches were also used as evacuation centers. Before adjourning, the President issued several directives that she wants members of Congress, her Cabinet and the NDCC to carry out immediately in connection with the destruction wrought by typhoon "Frank." First, to prevent unscrupulous traders from jacking up prices of basic goods, particularly rice, during calamities, President Arroyo said she would ask members of the House of Representatives to file a bill making rice hoarding and profiteering fall under the crime of economic sabotage. If enacted, the punishment for rice hoarding and profiteering could be upgraded to life imprisonment. Second, the President said she would ask members of Congress to file a bill where the declaration of a State of Calamity will include "imposing a maximum price of rice." Third, the President assured the victims and families of typhoon "Frank," especially those of the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Stars, that the government will provide aid in addition to the aid that will be extended by the owners of Sulpicio Lines. Fourth, the President will assign an NDCC official to oversee and ensure that Sulpicio Lines makes good its commitment to extend any and all aid to the victims of their ship's sinking. Fifth, for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to open disaster relief accounts, websites and text numbers in their various consul offices in the Middle East, Europe, America and Asia so that Filipinos in these countries who may wish to help the victims of typhoon "Frank" in any way will have a venue where to give their donations. Sixth, for the National Computer Center (NCC) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) to ensure that the NDCC's website remains operational despite the high volume of internet traffic accessing the site. "Because yesterday, we were not able to get in touch with NDCC. Even now, we are in Malacañang, we are still not able to get through," the President said. "So these are the things I'd like our NDCC members to do now," she added. According to the national weather bureau, as of 2:00 a.m. today, "Frank" was located by radar, satellite and surface data to be 200 kilometers west-northwest of Dagupan City (16.3°N 118.4°E), with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour, and gustiness of up to 150 kph. Typhoon Frank is forecast to move west-northwest at 17 kph towards the general direction of the South China Sea.

Commander, Carrier Strike Group 7	Carrier Air Wing 14	Black Knights	The Providers	USS Howard
USS Ronald Reagan	USS Thach	USS Chancellorsville	USS Gridley	USS Decatur	USS Niagara Falls