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US sends flattop to help find bodies

July 1, 2008

gma-street-press-briefing.jpgBy Rodney J. Jaleco
WASHINGTON D.C. The USS Ronald Reagan Battle Group has been sent to the Philippine to help scour for victims of Typhoon Frank and help in salvage operations for the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars.
President Bush ordered the USS Ronald Reagan, the newest of the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, to the Philippines during his meeting with President Arroyo at the White House June 24.
(In Manila opposition senators questioned the presence of a US warship that may be carrying nuclear weapons. The constitution does not allow the entry of such vessels in Philippine waters.)
The President later called on US Defense Secretary Robert Gates at the Pentagon. The meeting lasted less than half an hour, but Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro was left behind to discuss details of President Bush’s offer of assistance, as well as other security and military matters.

Like all of America’s nuclear-powered carriers, the USS Ronald Reagan never travels alone. Her battle group is composed of the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville; the destroyers USS Decatur, Gridley and Howar; and the missile frigate USS Thach. Battle groups are also usually escorted by nuclear submarines. According to their website, they entered the Pacific area of operations only two weeks ago.

News about the tragedy spawned by Typhoon Frank and the huge death toll has been reported extensively here. It has spawned a groundswell of sympathy among Americans, including top government officials who appeared more inclined to talk about how the US can help the Philippines cope with the calamity than discussing other Philippine concerns, including drumming support for passage of the Filipino veterans equity bill.
The President said she sought the “understanding and support” of key US officials to approve S-1315, the omnibus veterans enhancement bill – which carries provisions for Filipino veterans equity – that earlier passed the Senate. The bill is stalled in the House of Representatives.
She had promised to take the matter up with President Bush this morning. But after the meeting, she was mum about any new word from Bush on the equity bill.
Press Secretary Jesus Dureza admitted that Philippine congressmen in the President’s party were torn between cutting their trip short or pushing on with their mission here. They eventually decided to stay, although a number of them said they will be going home before President Arroyo wraps up the final leg of her visit in New York.
Aside from Secretaries Dureza and Teodoro, the other Cabinet officials in the President’s entourage here were Agriculture Sec. Arthur Yap, Finance Sec. Margarito Teves, Budget Sec. Rolando Andaya, Foreign Affairs Sec. Alberto Romulo, Local Government Sec. Ronaldo Puno, and Trade Sec. Peter Favila.

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