Bush calls GMA to extend condolences on Leyte tragedy

US President George W. Bush offered President Arroyo condolences on behalf of the American people yesterday and promised sustained US assistance after a devastating landslide wiped out the village of Guinsaugon in Southern Leyte, his spokesman said.

"The president offered our sincerest condolences over the loss of life," his press secretary, Scott McClellan, told reporters as Bush traveled to the Midwest to make a policy speech on energy issues.

"The president also reiterated our commitment to continuing in helping the rescue and relief efforts," McClellan said.

In Manila, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Bush called around 9 p.m. Monday and said "the US was glad to help a friend."

"He also asked the President to just let him know if we needed anything else" Bunye told reporters at Malacañang yesterday.

The United States earlier sent two military ships and a Marine expeditionary unit to help search and rescue efforts in the wake of the disaster, and expects to provide tens of millions of dollars in disaster aid.

The Japanese Red Cross said Monday it will provide the Philippines with 30 million (US$254,000) worth of emergency relief goods.

The donation by Japan’s Red Cross was announced following an appeal by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for $1.52 million to fund the aid operation.

The consignment will include blankets, cooking utensils and sanitary and health products.

The Japanese government has already announced about $212,000 in emergency relief goods such as tents, blankets, plastic sheets and sleeping mats.

Tokyo pledged to provide "further assistance, be it in kind or human resources, to the affected area."

A contingent of 40 Indonesian soldiers will leave for the Philippines to provide humanitarian aid to the victims of the deadly landslide.

The contingent, including a 28-person medical team, was expected to remain in the Philippines for about one month, Indonesian military spokesman Ahmad Yani Basuki said.

He added that the three Hercules planes taking the team would also carry several operational vehicles and relief aid including food and medicine for survivors.

New pledges of aid came from Australia, Canada, Greece, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea. Spain, the Philippines’ former colonial ruler, sent search dogs to help in the recovery efforts.

Canada sent an initial $300,000 to "support recovery and rehabilitation efforts in the affected area," Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay said in a statement. "We will revisit this contribution as needs in the affected area continue to be assessed."

The Canadian embassy in Manila dispatched an officer to Southern Leyte to assess the needs at the disaster area. The mission is working with the Department of Foreign Affairs on ways to expedite the delivery of Canadian assistance.

The search for survivors has focused on an elementary school because of unconfirmed reports that some of the 250-300 children and teachers trapped inside may have sent cell phone text messages to relatives soon after the disaster Friday.

High-tech gear detected sounds at school site last Monday, raising hopes of finding survivors. However, it was unclear whether the sounds were made by survivors or by the soft, unstable mud covering the school shifting and settling.

Sen. Richard Gordon, who chairs the Philippine National Red Cross, said the Philippines has received at least P6 million in financial assistance sent through the aid agency.

The Red Cross sent out urgent requests for assistance to its international affiliates and has sent available personnel to Guinsaugon. — AP, AFP, Aurea Calica, Pia Lee-Brago, Rainier Allan Ronda, Katherine Adraneda