VZCZCXRO0909
OO RUEHCHI RUEHFK RUEHHM RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHPB
DE RUEHML #1504/01 1751044
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 231044Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1076
INFO RUEHZU/ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 001504 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP/EX AND EAP/MTS 
STATE PASS USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID SOCI EAGR SENV RP
SUBJECT: RAPID RESPONSE TO TYPHOON FRANK 
 
¶1.  Summary: Typhoon Fengshen (called Frank under Philippine naming 
conventions) hit the Philippines on June 21, with a current death 
toll of at least 229 dead, 800 missing, and damage of property in 20 
Philippine provinces.  The death toll is expected to rise 
significantly due to the sinking of the ferry Princess of the Stars, 
which capsized with at least 800 passengers and crew on board.  Only 
a small number of survivors have been reported from the ferry, and 
just a few victims have been recovered.  There were no U.S. Mission 
casualties or damage to U.S. property, and no American Citizen 
deaths have been confirmed so far.  The Mission has requested 
disaster assistance funds of $100,000 for the Philippine Red Cross, 
and the U.S. Navy will provide search-and-rescue assets as of 
Tuesday, June 24, at the request of the Philippine government to 
assist the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy with the capsized ferry. 
Mission's press statement follows at paragraph 6.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  On June 21, Typhoon Frank raked 20 provinces in the Philippines, 
affecting half a million people, 70,000 of whom are now in 
evacuation centers.  The reported death toll is 229, but that number 
will climb as bodies are recovered.  In addition to devastation 
caused by floods, storm surge, and landslides, the ferry Princess of 
the Stars sank with 742 known passengers and 130 crew members on the 
manifest.  According to the National Disaster Coordination Council, 
the initial property damage estimate is $22 million and includes 
destroyed or damaged homes, school structures, and crops.  However, 
this number may rise as more information becomes available. Winds of 
up to 150 mph, flood waters, and falling debris caused additional 
damage to bridges, roads, electric posts, and antennas, which has 
not been fully assessed. 
 
-------------------------- 
PACOM Providing Assistance 
-------------------------- 
 
¶3.  The U.S. Navy vessel USNS Stockham, with two search-and-rescue 
capable helicopters, small boats, and an underwater scuba team, is 
being repositioned and will arrive around 5 AM on June 24 near 
Sibuyan Island where the ferry sank. A P-3 maritime surveillance 
aircraft is also available, should the Philippines request images to 
pinpoint wreckage and possible survivors. 
 
--------------------------- 
Status of American Citizens 
--------------------------- 
 
¶4.  No U.S. residents in the Philippines reported injuries resulting 
from the typhoon.  American Citizen Services has been in close touch 
with Philippine authorities and is scrutinizing the ferry's manifest 
for U.S. citizen passengers, while coordinating efforts with other 
embassies (sepemail to CA/OCS).  Peace Corps contacted its 
volunteers to verify that they were not harmed.  Communications 
remain difficult, and there is one volunteer who has not been 
contacted yet: all others are accounted for and unharmed. 
 
----------------------------------------- 
U.S. Government Assistance to Philippines 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  Cabinet Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita conveyed to Charge 
the Philippine government's desire for assistance from the USG. 
This was followed by an official request from the National Disaster 
Coordinating Council which is charged with carrying out relief 
efforts.  Based on these requests and the magnitude of the damage 
from the typhoon, Charge has requested the release of the 
Ambassador's disaster assistance fund to provide to the Philippines 
Red Cross (PRC) with $50,000, and USAID is seeking an additional 
$50,000 from the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) 
(septel).  Post plans to donate the funds to the Philippine Red 
Cross to support the organization's immediate needs for water, 
hygiene supplies, food, and blankets in affected communities.  Post 
will continue to update Department on further assistance requests 
from the Philippine government. 
 
--------------- 
Press Statement 
--------------- 
 
¶6.  Mission released the following press statement June 23. 
 
US ASSISTANCE IN AFTERMATH OF TYPHOON FRANK 
 
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 
 
MANILA 00001504  002 OF 002 
 
 
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. 
 
GIBBONS