US, PHL to search for remains of WWII American soldiers in the Philippines

From GMA News (Jan 18): US, PHL to search for remains of WWII American soldiers in the Philippines

Philippine and US officials will begin preliminary search on the possible locations of the remains of some 80 American soldiers who have been prisoners of war (POW) or have been missing in action (MIA) in the Philippines during World War II. The joint investigation, which will begin this week according to the US Embassy in Manila, is an offshoot of a June 3, 2011 agreement between the two allies “to collaborate in researching, investigating, recovering, and conducting forensic reviews” of remains of American soldiers.

Honolulu-based Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), whose humanitarian mission is to conduct global search, recovery, and laboratory operations to identify more than 83,000 unaccounted-for Americans from past conflicts, will work with Philippine authorities to locate the unaccounted soldiers. “A nine-member investigation team will work with Philippine partners to authenticate leads from eyewitnesses and conduct field research at numerous locations throughout the Philippines to determine whether a return visit for excavation is merited,” the US Embassy in Manila said in a statement Friday.

As part of the agreement, “JPAC personnel are required to respect all Philippine national and local laws and regulations, local customs, traditions and courtesies,” it added. “These investigations have the potential to bring long desired closure for the families of American service members who went missing while serving their country in the second World War,” said Embassy Charge d’Affaires Brian Goldbeck. “We are truly grateful to our Philippine partners for working closely with us to facilitate this project.”
 

All activities are being closely coordinated with and facilitated by the Philippine government, the US Embassy said. It will be under the supervision of Philippine Departments of Foreign Affairs, Defense, Health, Interior and Local Government, Environment and Natural Resources; the National Museum of the Philippines; the Bureaus of Customs and Immigration; the Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement; the National Bureau of Investigation; the National Commission on Indigenous People; the Armed Forces of the Philippines; and the Philippine National Police.

 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/290904/news/nation/us-phl-to-search-for-remains-of-wwii-american-soldiers-in-the-philippines