Typhoon Bopha
Press Statement
Mark C. Toner
Deputy Spokesperson
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
December 5, 2012
The United States offers condolences for the destruction and loss of life in the southern Philippines and the widespread damage to populated areas in Palau caused by Typhoon Bopha. Our embassies in Manila and Koror have offered immediate disaster relief assistance, and we are working closely with authorities in both countries to offer additional assistance as needed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragedy.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton shakes hands with Philippines’ Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Ferreros del Rosario before the U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 11, 2012. [State Department photo by William Ng/ Public Domain]
Pacific Partnership 2012 in the Philippines
![USNS Mercy anchored off the city of Manado, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Now in its seventh year, Pacific Partnership is an annual U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance mission U.S military personnel, host and partner nations, non-governmental organizations and international agencies to build stronger relationships and develop disaster response capabilities throughout the Asia-Pacific region. [U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Clay M. Whaley/Released]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130303152508im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0625_pp12_1_m.jpg)
About the Author: Tom Weinz serves as the dedicated Foreign Service Officer for Pacific Partnership 2012.
Pacific Partnership 2012 (PP12)/USNS Mercy is currently anchored about 10 minutes off shore near the city of Calbayog, Samar Island, Republic of the Philippines. U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas attended the opening ceremony on June 19, and noted in his speech that USNS Mercy first visited Calbayog on its maiden voyage 25 years ago. Pacific Partnership 2008 also stopped in Calbayog, so we are finding many old friends in the community. As always, the interaction with local communities and people is the highlight of the mission.
Pacific Partnership offers an experience of a lifetime, but the day-to-day work is hardly a pleasure cruise. To describe volunteer life, the U.S. Peace Corps often uses the phrase, “The toughest job you’ll ever love!” Many PP12 participants can relate to that motto. Living spaces are cramped, and include bunk beds and a sink, with…more »
Fact Sheet: The U.S.-Philippines Partnership
Deepening the Security and Strategic Partnership
- We continue to enhance our cooperation and force interoperability in the areas of humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and maritime security, conducting nearly 20 combined exercises every year, including the recently completed 28th iteration of Exercise “Balikatan” (“Shoulder-to-Shoulder”).
- The Republic of the Philippines is a committed peacekeeping provider, deploying nearly 1,000 troops, police and civilians to United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions annually. The United States supports the Philippines’ peacekeeping role through continued funding and training.
- There were over 100 U.S. ship visits to the Philippines last year. In June 2012, the U.S. hospital ship the USNS Mercy will provide medical, dental, and veterinary services to Filipinos on the islands of Samar, Basilan, and Sulu. U.S. personnel also intend to partner with counterparts from the Philippine armed forces to construct and renovate school and health facilities. MORE
![U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton shakes hands with Philippines’ Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Ferreros del Rosario before the U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 11, 2012. [State Department photo by William Ng/ Public Domain]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130303152508im_/http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m70jps6daG1qcug8io1_500.jpg)
