U.S. military delivers aid to storm-ravaged Philippines

By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer

Hundreds of Marines and other U.S. military personnel, a dozen helicopters and two Navy ships are part of relief efforts that have helped deliver more than 200,000 pounds of supplies to the storm-ravaged northeastern Philippines, the head of U.S. Pacific Command said yesterday.

"Our hearts are with those in Luzon and elsewhere during this difficult time," said Adm. Tom Fargo, meeting yesterday in Hawai'i with reporters with Philippine Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr.

Cruz said 30,000 homes and 1,000 schools were demolished in storms that have lashed the country. The number of dead and missing has topped 1,300.

About 600 Marines and sailors were tapped from Okinawa to help with the relief. Approximately 50 Marines and an unspecified number of CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters from Kane'ohe Bay that are deployed to Okinawa are part of the effort.

Cruz, on his first visit to U.S. Pacific Command headquarters since being named defense secretary, visited Marine Corps Base Hawai'i and Hickam Air Force Base.

Fargo said the Philippines "is among the leaders" in fighting terrorism in Asia and the Pacific, and the goal of the two countries is the development of a sustained counterterrorism capability.