PEACE CORPS DIRECTOR TSCHETTER VISITS PHILIPPINES; MISSING

UNCLAS MANILA 001232 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MTS DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO PEACE CORPS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC ASEC PREL RP SUBJECT: PEACE CORPS DIRECTOR TSCHETTER VISITS PHILIPPINES; MISSING PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER REFS: A) MANILA 1171 B) MANILA 1189 C) STATE 50781 Summary -------------- ¶1. Peace Corps Director Ronald Tschetter arrived in Manila on April 16 to review efforts to find missing Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell, who disappeared in a remote area of the Philippines on April 8. Director Tschetter, Charge' Jones and Peace Corps Country Director Beck traveled to the area of the search to meet with search teams, met with President Arroyo and members of her cabinet, and spoke with assembled Peace Corps volunteers. President Arroyo promised full support for the rescue operation. Director Tschetter's visit has received extensive, positive media coverage. SIPDIS While Director Tschetter was meeting with the volunteers, Embassy received word that a body was found in the search area. Philippine authorities are treating the location where the body was found as a possible crime scene and have not yet identified the body (Septel). End Summary. Director Tschetter Visits Site of Volunteer's Disappearance -------------- -------------- ¶2. Peace Corps reported to Embassy on April 11 that volunteer Julia Campbell missed appointments on April 10 and 11. She was last seen hiking in a remote area in Northern Luzon province on April 8. Peace Corps Director Ronald A. Tschetter, traveling in the region, arrived in Manila on April 16 to view rescue efforts and meet with Philippine local and national government officials. On the morning of April 17 Director Tschetter, Charge' Jones and Country Director Beck flew by helicopter to the location where Ms. Campbell was last seen, a remote hiking area characterized by steep, mountainous trails. RSO Jake Wohlman briefed the Director, who then flew by helicopter over the area of the disappearance and traveled on nearby roads to view remote hiking trails. Director Tschetter met with local police, military, guides and the governor, and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the diligent and highly professional search efforts. Director Tschetter meets with President Arroyo -------------- - ¶3. On April 18, Director Tschetter and Charge' Jones met President Arroyo, together with Defense Secretary Ebdane, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Romulo, Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Esperon, and Philippine National Police Chief General Calderon. The Director expressed Peace Corps' appreciation for the Philippine government's efforts in the comprehensive search. He also presented Secretary Romulo the letter of appreciation from Secretary of State Rice (Ref C). President Arroyo promised full and continuing support for the search, warmly praised the work of Peace Corps volunteers, and stated her support for the Peace Corps. Her entire team was totally engaged and supportive of all possible efforts to locate Ms. Campbell. Meeting with Peace Corps Volunteers -------------- ¶4. The Director, Charge', and Country Director then met with Peace Corps volunteers. Director Tschetter described the search efforts in great detail and reassured volunteers that everything possible was being done by the Peace Corps, the Embassy and the Philippine government. During the question and answer session, the Charge' was informed that search teams had located a body, believed to be Ms. Campbell's, and that local media had picked up the story on-site. ¶5. Director Tschetter notified Ms. Campbell's family of developments and the Charge' informed the Operations Center. Peace Corps is working on arrangements in the event the body is positively identified as Ms. Campbell's, including a memorial service. JONES