U.S. Embassy News Release

April 19, 2007

 

U.S. EMBASSY MOURNS LOSS OF PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER
U.S. Officials Thanks Filipino People, Government for their Search Efforts

The U.S. Embassy is saddened to confirm the death of U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell, who disappeared on April 8 while hiking in Banaue, Ifugao Province, Northern Luzon.  Search parties discovered Ms. Campbell’s body near Barangay Batad, Banaue town this morning.  Philippine authorities will make the final pronouncement of cause of death.   U.S. Peace Corps Director Ronald A. Tschetter, who was in the Philippines to consult with officials regarding the ongoing search for the missing volunteer, expressed his sorrow at hearing the news.  “Julia was a proud member of the Peace Corps family, and she contributed greatly to the lives of Filipino

Julia Campbell

citizens in Donsol, Sorsogon, where she served,” he said.  “The U.S. Peace Corps is saddened by the loss of such a dedicated and vibrant volunteer, who so loved this country.  Our hearts go out to her family and friends in the United States.”   Ms. Campbell was reported missing on April 11 after failing to show up for several appointments.  She was last seen on Sunday, April 8 in the Banaue area.  She reportedly intended to hike in a hilly area near Batad, 1.5 kilometers east of Banaue town, and was unaccompanied.    Director Tschetter traveled to the Banaue area with U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Paul W. Jones on Tuesday, April 17 to meet with American and Filipino authorities involved in the search.  The U.S. Peace Corps and U.S. Embassy would like to express their deep gratitude to the Filipino people for their assistance in the search.   “The search efforts organized by the Philippine National Police (PNP) were incredible,” said Chargé Jones.  “Thank you to the PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the local and provincial governments in the Banaue area, and the many local guides and volunteers who spent countless hours searching for Julia in difficult terrain.  The American people are very thankful for your friendship during this difficult time.”   Ms. Campbell’s family also released a statement thanking the Filipino people for their assistance in the search.  The statement can be found on the Internet at http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=1201.   Director Tschetter and Chargé Jones met with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on April 18 to thank her for the partnership and efforts of the Filipino people in searching for Ms. Campbell.  Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo, Secretary of National Defense Hermogenes Ebdane, and PNP Director Oscar Calderon also attended the meeting.   Ms. Campbell served in ecological and educational projects in Southern Luzon since she began her Peace Corps service in the Philippines in March 2005.   There are 136 Peace Corps Volunteers serving in the country. More than 8,000 Volunteers have served in the Philippines since 1961, making it the second oldest Peace Corps program in the world.

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