Palace saddened by death of Peace Corps volunteer

Malacanang on Wednesday expressed sorrow over the death of Julia Campbell, an American Peace Corps volunteer who was reported found dead in Benguet on Wednesday. "Ikinalulungkot natin na siya ay namatay pero harinawa hindi sa anumang pamamaraan other than just pure accident," Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said during his regular press briefing in Malacanang. A body believed to be Campbell’s was found by the search team of the Philippine Army’s 502nd Infantry Brigade in the mountains of Battad Village, Banaue, Ifugao at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. The US Peace Corps volunteer had been missing since April 8. Ermita said that it was Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon who informed him that Campbell’s body was found in Ifugao. He said that at the time of discovery, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo did not know yet of the latest development until she got a call from US Peace Corps Director Ronald Tschetter at about 11 a.m. Ermita said government authorities are still determining the cause of death of Campbell, one of only 137 Peace Corps volunteers in the country. "Sa ngayon ang sabi nila wala pa namang indication that she was abducted or there was any foul play. Sabi nga ng mga staff ko na galing doon sa Banaue, delikado ngang talaga, nahulog lang talaga at napakalalim ng bangin. Ikinalulungkot natin na siya ay namatay harinawa hindi sa anumang pamamaraan other than just a pure accident," Ermita said. OPS/GMANews.TV