US Embassy statement confirming Campbell's death

The United States Embassy in Manila on Thursday confirmed that the body discovered in Batad village in Banaue, Ifugao was that of 40-year-old US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell. Embassy officials kept quiet about to the possible cause of Cambell's death, saying that "Philippine authorities will make the final pronouncement" on the matter. Paul Jones, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, said in the statement that, "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 US government earlier offered a $10,000-reward for information about Campbell's whereabouts. The Cordillera regional police relayed the US Embassy's confirmation earlier in the day during a radio interview on dzBB radio. (see related story) For the interest of the public, GMANews.TV is making available to the public the full text of the US Embassy statement on Julia Campbell's untimely passing. US EMBASSY MOURNS LOSS OF PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER US Officials Thanks Filipino People, Government for their Search Efforts The US Embassy is saddened to confirm the death of US 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. US 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 citizens in Donsol, Sorsogon, where she served," he said. "The US 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 US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Paul W. Jones on Tuesday, April 17 to meet with American and Filipino authorities involved in the search. The US Peace Corps and US 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 issued a statement thanking the Filipino people for their assistance. The statement can be read 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.