Tuesday, April 15, 2008
US Navy hospital ship to return to RP on humanitarian mission (6:03 p.m.)
MANILA -- A US Navy hospital ship will visit the eastern and southern Philippines next month on a humanitarian mission, including areas where Muslim separatist rebels are active, Philippine and American officials said.
US Embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Thompson said Tuesday the USNS Mercy, one of two Navy hospital ships, will make stops in Samar, southeast of Manila, and the main southern island of Mindanao at the invitation of the Philippine government.
Muslim regional Governor Zaldy Ampatuan told reporters late Monday the ship staff will conduct hundreds of surgeries - about half to repair cleft palates - and rehabilitate school buildings in the central Mindanao region.
They also plan to work in areas considered strongholds of the Muslim separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is in peace negotiations with the government, he said. (AP) |
