Home 
WASHINGTON D.C. -- (UPDATE 2) US President George W. Bush has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of typhoon "Frank" (international codename: Fengshen) in the Philippines.
"We want to express our condolences to the government and the people of the Philippines particularly the family members of those who have been affected by this tragedy," Bush said Monday morning (Monday night in Manila) through US deputy state department Secretary John Negroponte.
"Our hearts go out to the government and people of the Philippines particularly the victims of this terrible tragedy, which has just occurred," Negroponte said during a press conference here.
Negroponte served as ambassador to the Philippines from 1993 to 1996.
The typhoon has left hundreds of people dead or missing across the Philippines and wrought an estimated P1.65 billion in damage to property, officials said in Manila Monday.
US ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney said Bush will personally convey the message to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when the two leaders meet in the White House Tuesday.
"President Bush would, of course, want to convey that personally to President Arroyo tomorrow," she said.
"...Our first thought is our deep sense of sorrow and loss to all of those who have lost family members, friends, the people whose property has been lost, all the people who really suffered in the natural disaster," she said.
For her part, Arroyo thanked the US government for extending help to the typhoon victims in the Philippines.
"We’re deeply grateful for the response by the US government, including the US Navy," she said.
The US has pledged to send P4 million (about $100,000) worth of emergency relief supplies to the Philippine National Red Cross.
The United States Pacific Command also ordered US Navy Ship Stockham, with search and rescue helicopters aboard, to Sibuyan Island in Romblon province to help in the rescue and recovery for hundreds of people missing in the weekend ferry disaster.
At the same time, a US Navy P-3 maritime surveillance aircraft was ordered to help in the search for survivors.
Only 57 have been found alive since Sulpicio Lines ferry MV Princess of the Star went down after sailing into the eye of the typhoon on Saturday with 849 passengers and crew on board.
President Arroyo is currently on a 10-day trip to the United States. With reports from Veronica Uy, INQUIRER.net and Agence France-Presse in Manila
