VZCZCXRO9107
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #1232 1081106
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 181106Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6140
INFO RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 4575
RUEHZS/ASEAN COLLECTIVE

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