US offers help; ship sent for search, rescue of ship victims
By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 12:15:00 06/23/2008
Filed Under: Typhoon Frank, Weather, Foreign affairs & international relations
MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 2) The United States is prepared to assist the government in operations for search, rescue, and relief, the US embassy in Manila said.
"We stand ready, as always, to assist in any way that we can; [we] understand Philippine authorities are assessing situation and whether or not outside assistance will be needed," said US embassy spokesman Rebecca Thompson in a text message to INQUIRER.net.
Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, said that he asked for a sea-borne helicopter to assist in the search and rescue of the passengers of the sunken M/V Princess of the Stars.
Thompson also condoled with those affected by typhoon Frank (international codename: Fensheng).
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by the typhoon and its aftermath," she said.
Earlier on Monday, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said the US would be sending a Navy ship to help in the search and rescue operations on the Princess of the Stars.
Dureza, who is with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Washington, said the information was relayed to her by US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney.
"A US navy ship is now steaming towards the general area where the Sulpicio Lines capsized to assist in the search and rescue operations," Dureza said in a text message.
The navy ship is expected to arrive in the country in 15 hours, he added. He said coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines was ongoing.
The ship will come from the US military base in Okinawa, Japan, said National Disaster Coordinating Council Executive Director Anthony Golez in a separate interview.
From Fresno, California, Arroyo presided over a meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council early dawn Monday.
The President will call another meeting within the day as soon as she arrives in Washington D.C., Dureza said.
With a report from Joel Guinto
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