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Reference ID	Created	Released	Classification	Origin
09MANILA2049	2009-09-28 09:14	2011-08-26 00:00	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	Embassy Manila

VZCZCXRO5667
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #2049/01 2710914
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 280914Z SEP 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5295
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHOVQHS/COMSEVENTHFLT  IMMEDIATE
INFO RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 2285
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0309
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE
RUEHRO/USMISSION UN ROME IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002049 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
BANGKOK FOR  USAID /OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR A. 
DWYER 
USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA R. THAYER 
USAID W/ FOR ANE/AA AND DCHA/FPP 
GENEVA FOR N. KYLOH 
USUN FOR OFDA REP 
BRUSSELS FOR P. BROWN 
ROME FOR USAID/OHA H. SPANOS 
SECDEF FOR SOLIC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC FOR J3/J4/J5 
PACOM FOR J3/J4/J5 
NSC FOR P. MARCHAM 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID SOCI PREL KPAO SENV EAGR RP
SUBJECT: TROPICAL STORM ONDOY LASHES MANILA; 
FLOODING DISPLACES THOUSANDS; USG RESPONSE 
 
REFTELS:  A) Manila 2046  B) Manila 1909 
 
¶1. (U) On Saturday September 26 tropical 
storm Ondoy (international name Ketsana) 
deposited 16 inches of rain in 12 hours and 
inundated large sections of Metro Manila and 
the island of Luzon.  The storm accelerated 
and changed course as it arrived in Luzon, 
and caught the Philippines unprepared for 
the torrential rainfall.  The government has 
declared a national calamity in Metro Manila 
and 27 provinces in Luzon, and the National 
Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) 
estimates that over 450,000 people were 
affected by the storm, with 100 people 
believed dead and dozens missing. 
Floodwaters damaged thousands of homes, and 
approximately 50,000 persons have sought 
shelter in evacuation centers. 
 
--------------- 
U.S. Assistance 
--------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) At the request of the Government of 
the Philippines, The U.S. Joint Special 
Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) 
mobilized a helicopter and four rubber boats 
to aid with assistance efforts.  They 
distributed relief supplies and helped 
rescue an estimated 50 people from inundated 
areas of the city on Sunday, operating until 
midnight.  The Ambassador has declared a 
disaster and requested $100,000 from the 
USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance 
to be provided to the Philippine National 
Red Cross (reftel A). 
 
---------------- 
Embassy Flooding 
---------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) The Embassy Chancery building was 
flooded during the storm, with power and 
communications temporarily cut.  Power has 
yet to be restored to this building, with 
cleanup and repairs ongoing.  The Embassy 
was closed to the public Monday September 
28th, but will be open on the 29th, offering 
Consular and other services from the Annex 
building.  Staff is working to restore the 
Chancery building's systems for a possible 
re-opening on September 29. Embassy direct- 
hire and locally-employed staff families 
were also affected, with several houses 
flooded and families moving to temporary 
housing.  Post will contact the Foreign 
Service National Relief Fund for information 
on support that can be provided to locally 
employed staff.  Liberal leave will be 
granted to Embassy employees this week for 
all who are affected by the flooding. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The Consular Section has received 
inquiries on behalf of 43 American citizens 
believed to be stranded in various flood- 
stricken areas.  Staff has located and 
confirmed the well-being of 23 of these 
individuals, and has also confirmed the 
 
MANILA 00002049  002 OF 002 
 
 
safety of all American citizen prisoners. 
The NDCC provided names of identified 
casualties and so far, none are American 
citizens.  When the Embassy switchboard went 
down, staff created a Yahoo address for 
American citizen inquiries and publicized it 
through a press announcement. 
 
---------- 
Next Steps 
---------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) The Embassy's Emergency Action 
Committee has formulated next steps, which 
include offering continued assistance to the 
GRP, Red Cross and non-governmental 
organizations (NGOs) on rescuing stranded 
persons and delivery of relief supplies. 
The Ambassador has been in touch with senior 
Philippine officials on our continuing 
efforts; the GRP has expressed gratitude. 
An official from the USAID's Office of 
Foreign Disaster Assistance in Bangkok will 
arrive Tuesday to help coordinate relief and 
recovery efforts.  The Embassy Staff is also 
exploring with the U.S. military ways to 
expedite and redirect community relations 
projects planned for the upcoming Talon 
Vision/Philippines Bilateral Exercise 
(PHIBLEX) to help areas affected by this 
disaster. 
 
------- 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) The Philippines remains one of the 
world's most disaster-prone nations.  The 
Embassy and U.S. military's ability to react 
quickly and effectively to recent disasters 
- a ferry that capsized on September 6 
(reftel B) and now this flooding - 
highlights the value of close engagement 
with the USG.  Our efforts at this time of 
heated dialogue and political posturing over 
the value of the U.S.-Philippines Visiting 
Forces Agreement help demonstrate that the 
agreement can positively affect the lives of 
ordinary Filipinos in times of need. 
 
KENNEY

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Viewing cable 09MANILA2049, TROPICAL STORM ONDOY LASHES MANILA;