U.S. Balikatan Soldiers Rush to Leyte for Search and Rescue Operations

A U.S. soldier joins Philippine military colleagues, government rescue workers, and civilian volunteers in forming a search and rescue line to clear rocks and debris from the area affected by the February 17 mudslide in Southern Leyte. The U.S. Government has diverted U.S. Military personnel and supplies from the annual Balikatan joint military exercises to the Leyte area in order to assist with disaster relief operations for mudslide victims. The U.S. Government is also supplying emergency funds and supplies such as blankets and water through the U.S. Agency for International Development.