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6/19/1987 - Mission of Mercy by Erik R. Guyot

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT WRITER S CONSENT INSTITUTE OF CURRENTWORLD AFFAIRS ERG Asuncion Ext Tondo Manila June Mission Mercy I The USNS Mercy I I Medcap III Elusive hearts minds IV Camp Connell V Postscript Mr Peter Martin Institute Current World Affairs West Wheelock Street Hanover NH 03755 Dear Peter Two weeks I Tagalog classes visit U S Navy hospital USNS Mercy island Samar The Mercy wrapping month humanitarian goodwill mission Philip pines I thought might interesting Mercy especially during Samar The visit hospital aspect U S security related assistance often overlooked counting helicopters armored other materiel The people people contact engendered Mercy endur impact either positive ative shipment helicopters The Mercy mission provide health ncrease public confidence Philip government armed forces Involving sonnel million Mercy visit represents largest single effort U S Of seven ports served Mercy Calbayog City coast Samar perhaps toughest challenge Mercy Located midway Philippine archipelago Samar third largest island miles miles population slightly million It impoverished regions where majority people never doctor commu insurgency strongest guerrillas tively close number government troops Erik Guyot Institute Fellow studying U S security assistance Philippines Thailand The thrice weekly turboprop Manila Calbayog skimmed along coastline Samar affording narrow strip between rugged hills dominate interior island Lush green paddies cover level ground while adjacent coconut groves Part hillsides Gazing jungled hills I recalled reading about frustrating forays American Marines dispatched Samar avenge massacre company U S infantrymen wielding Samareos I little realized while Calbayog hospitable towards visiting Americans service would unfavorably compared Americans massacred eighty years Samar Major Settlements From Philippine Social History Manila I The USNS Mercy The first Calbayog City population Ii0 Samar largest small cluste buildings modest airport sparkling white tanker anchored outside harbor The USNS Mercy largest medical trauma facility U S either Among ships belongs third largest class exceeded aircraft helicopter carriers The Mercy master Captain Richard Hosey described stern wrapped around hospital Ac cording facilities sophisticated those found military hospitals West Coast Converted tanker about million Mercy built handle results major operating rooms handle military largest helicopter distillation plants produce gallons fresh water This Mercy maiden voyage shakedown cruise check systems repair minor cracks The Mercy services offered President Coraz Aquino visited Washington D C formally annual U S military package After visiting Philippines Mercy steamed South Pacific return homeport Oakland California July The USNS Mercy T AH courtesy U S Navy Captain Hosey understandably proud Mercy about sailors U S medical personnel Filipino medical personnel In joint effort treated patients seven ports During their Calbayog staff chalked impressive statistics entire mission I0 patients treated operations including those cataracts cleft dental cases Capt Hosey believed people people contact effective simply sending materiel In reached people That people grateful apprecia In contrast there reaction government Philippines another plane As Mercy visit costs knows We foggiest Capt Hosey We July figure As rough estimate Capt D L Sturtz commanding officer hospital hospital costs which include running million As I followed public affairs guide spacious another about weeks before could along gently humming passage In pediatrics about children clustered around T V rested About children recovering operations cleft palates A others severely malnurished infant blackened easily scalp One nurses Lt Kathy Pierce described American staff first malnutrition God pathology eventually In addition business surgery there empha cross training cooperation between Filipino American medical staff For example Philippine Army doctor learned repair cleft palates performing operations which American doctors would their entire career In exchange American doctors learned their Filipino counterparts about tropical diseases rarely encountered Doctors Mercy described amazing types diseases could study anddocument first II Medcap The action however Mercy shore Every morning crowds overa thousand people crammed outside central school building which housed Medcap Medical Civic Action Progam center As early people patiently waited three chance being treated Americano doctors All about people overwhelmed quiet coming miles It biggest event decade President Aquino visit drawn comparable crowds entire Inside school compound least different wards quickly handled majority simple cases require Mercy sophisticated facilities With endless people pressing entrance doctors hurrying process patients possible Medcap barely controlled chaos The Medcap dentists their break their previous record patients treated At school compound Filipino American dentists worked furiously seeing patients extracting teeth We figure thing provide people tooth extractions Navy Comman Earl Eschete removed sweat filled rubber gloves Taking break seeing patient every minutes Eschete explained dilemma American dentists between their traditional reluctance front teeth because cosmetic reasons Filipinos desire teeth removed We pulled front teeth front teeth comfortable should He added fillings because thirty years Dental clinic Medcap Eschete others emphasized weren record number teeth since fewer patients pulled almost teeth At dental screening patients indicated which teeth wanted removed rechecked Filipino dentist Philippine Army Lt Jerry Mateo screening patients never worked seeing patients addition shift screening By working American dentists learned valuable techniques which would apply other civic action programs Another pediatrics where doctors perched child sized chairs treated children Many children seriously several doctors The parents wanted reassurance fever would Of those common diseases those easily preventable diarrhea worms infections tuberculosis One child infected because parents enough money Philippine Army Doctor Grace Victoria She pointed three Rodrigio Santiago suffering measles dysentery listless intravenous dropping precious fluid His father fisherman brought Medcap after American serviceman passed their house noticed He unable digest But according Dr Victoria would rehydration could continued hospital after Mercy The Pediatrics Ward Medcap Many patients stopped immunization center where received innoculations against diptheria tetanus measles polio Although least glamorous Medcap doctors vaccinations probably significant contribution health As their patients threaded their dispensary prescription filled others receive toothbrush toothpaste Each prescriptions filled about worth medicines In addition Operation Handclasp dispensed thousands packets shampoo fifty cases Peptol Bismol packed little pound In assessing Mercy contribution public health Samar American doctors expressed mixture tisfaction large number people served frustration waiting outside could treated short Said Navy Commander Dr Joel Labow pedia trician All experience having somebody between Sorry Many doctors would preferred longer fewer ports realized their entailed trade between extensive health areas reaching broadest range Filipinos possible Part mission humanita statesmanship strengthen between Filipinos Americans doctor stated From medical perspective would better place longer From perspective pediatrician Dr Labow offered caveat There drama restoring sight fixing bunch cleft But major impact health surgery having basic water supply If would medicine distribut The Mercy concluded The other commitment III Elusive hearts minds While could literally count heads quantify medical successes Mercy mission goodwill aspect intangible elusive In brief visit Calbayog Maj Gen Charles Teeter U S Military Advisory Group Philippines described The Mercy humanitarian mission story Armed Forces Philippines contributing welfare people He emphasized joint Philippine U S effort reached people I other effort comparable scope duration Another objective Mercy visit foster great cooperation between Philipppine military local government In congressional testimony Pentagon officials repeatedly stressed Armed Forces Philip pines AFP coordinated action local government order insurgency The communist New People Army NPA probably strongest Samar Recently AFP Vice Chief Staff Lt Gen Salvador Mison ratio between AFP NPA Eastern Samar Western Samar where Calbayog located All figures should viewed skepticism these include smaller province Northern Samar Yet coming former commander Region which includes Samar indication balance forces While NPA control large areas Calbayog itself relatively peaceful Although Mercy sailed harbor tranquil political scene In restrained competition between local commander Mercy appeared three roles First somewhat neutral entity served mediator bringing sides together limited cooperation Second Mercy powerful symbol either could invoke wring conces sions other And third Mercy especially medical supplies behind limited which sides competed To convey arrival hospital interracted local politics requires detail Dur Marcos Calbayog Jose Roo formerly mayor later Deputy Prime Minister Despite Roo position third ranking member Marcos government residents claim turned hometown little bring government projects There almost industry Calbayog numerous local waterfalls remain untapped Historically Calbay0g regional center coconut production Coconut still covering times acreage largest crops abaca I After coming power Aquino government replaced mayor loyal Roo Godofreda Dean woman pediatri twice unsuccessful campaigns opposition ticket Mayor Dean traditional politician versed making deals populist rhetoric A single retiring person described herself married medical profession She first gained prominence began offering medical services Yet Roo machine still strong The mayor spoke Roo loyalists handily May congressional tions partly through buying putting dummy opponent split Aquino Mayor Dean despite improvements relations military since suspicions remained Before scared military because spoiled during Marcos Shortly before Mercy visit there something confrontation between mayor local Army commander Lt Col Romulo Gorospe Infantry Battalion wanted conduct large scale house house search possible subversives Calbayog In other cities similar searches without warrant attracted criticism human rights lawyers The mayor refused permis unless Col Gorospe agreed request writing President office The colonel backed According Col Andres Batan heads military civilian relations Region Mercy improved relations bringing U S Philippine military personnel together officials joint effort I seated between Mayor Dean armed forces couldn cooperation local government He turned towards mayor chiding voice But local government convinced He concluded By giving service sistance U S government local government Calbayog winning hearts people Although Mayor Dean later private Mercy visit helped improve relations military evident brought tensions To prepare Mercy visit requisi tioned scores volunteers staff Medcap provided thousands patients outlying areas The mayor asked Army shoulder since according responsibility visit But mayor called military contribute refused until showed letter U S Embassy describing joint civilian military nature visit Then Dean shelled pesos But people neither harried government officials patients anxiously waiting Mercy visit barrio fiesta The arrival Of Americans meant local economy The booked I managed rooms discos halls jammed pedicab rides centavos pesos The particular seemed strange fascination people By sparkling white palace night twinkling string lights Mercy symbolized everything modern wonderful about America Almost everyone I owner hotel Roo dummy opponent school principal assumed I could visitor passes Only fifty people other patients permitted board Oscar Suarez lucky He travelled Legazpi kilometers north With apparent connections manged after waiting seven Many official connections fortunate In cases visit interpreted American offense against Philippine national pride For example after I speaking Col Gorospe suddenly claimed local doctors allowed visit Mercy What really happened scheduling local doctors unable visit Mercy After Mercy mayor issued apology radio regarding other matters which course Col Gorospe heard interpreted inten tional affront Of people I Norma Piscasio grandmother roadside stall husband truck repair retained their equanimity People crazy about I curious crazy As carnival everyone approved behavior celebrants One priest I spoke claimed older generation American behavior complained servicemen openly cavorting girls Yet people seemed expect American would discos What shocked tradi tional minded behavior American women One evening I eating dinner office employee always worked quickly could hurry mahjong blurted And women openly drink It remark echoed others To about local reaction Mercy I spoke ebullient influential parish priest Father Ponciano Figueroa The Mercy blessing It bringing people church joked referring crowds showed church waiting hopes being treated Ft Figueroa faces You because treated Americans But cured spiritually He commended Mercy serving people whether NPA supporters claimed Mercy visited every would solve insurgency problem He based belief Filipino could suffer poverty injustices child would NPA Other priests outside circumspect however viewing Mercy panacea One while might change little those supported guerrillas would affect ideologically committed In other ports Mercy greeted sometimes hostile press We accused every working CIA directly supporting Philippine Army against communists Capt Hosey Although further comment favorable article local press overlooked positive point In Davao City Mindanao example local papers repeated accusation leftists Mercy intensity conflict approach Americans nationalism among countries under their In effort similar criticisms Mercy Calbayog I visited local congressional candidate Partido Bayan legal party formed former NPA I disappointed Attorney Artessio Apostol human rights lawyer Samar charter member Integrated National Bar found politically impossible roundly criticize visit hospital doctors One moment claimed Mercy CIA program public support U S military bases called something wonderful hoped could extend visit three The before Mercy scheduled depart despadida farewell party planned Mercy It would fitting successful medical goodwill effort collision between American adherence proper procedures local Ph ilippine politics Late afternoon I asking Mayor Dean about history Calbayog We middle school cavernous assembly local media aides Philippine military officers while behind patients being screened dental clinic As talked every would write granting special permission people immediately enter Medcap bypassing lines It standard practice ports local cials grant favors incensed Americans toring entry Earlier servicemen pointed group patients wearing relatively shoes instead usual rubber sandals It frustrating You voters What particularly outraged Americans because visibly controlled entered locals thought playing favorites The Mayor finished writing dozen soldiers ranking Navy officer stormed shouted The mayor totally taken aback could respond accusations voice This moments officer pushed aside tried intervene continued release anger Finally threw hands disgust I apologized profusely Mayor Dean outburst explained blistering since without break Showing little emotion voice It daily problem We Filipinos resent We pride A Philippine Army major seated nearby simply shook agreement saying If understand understand No other Americans nearby Earlier City councilmen remov Medcap mistaken identity The mayor still minutes later Maj Gen Charles Teeter strode courteously greeted Madame Mayor But pleasantries sharp nosed general little assuage anger That evening mayor short thank speech Mercy pointedly mentioned confusions frustrations tensions during hectic For mayor could about Navy officer She added shouted mother superior mistakenly believed trying sneak patient As final salvo compared notorious Capt Connell American military commander allegedly molesting raping Samar women rightfully massacred This epithet curiousity I resolved after festivities I would about Capt Connell ruins nearby military named after The farewell party included along usual speeches assortment three types dances native Spanish dances maudlin ballroom music provided eight piece Philippine Army various U S First performance traditional courting dance which lines dancers strutted chickens followed sinuous All Bang Bang butterfly dance Next Army struck waltz Brig Gen Bayani Fabic Region military commander danced while younger generation complained music Finally Madonna Bee Gees everyone poured dance floor which subtly frequent power blackouts During farewell dinner American servicemen preferred Calbayog small atmosphere other ports meant After Mercy departed I stayed around another partly force circumstance plane wouldn another partly hoice I wanted mysterous Camp Connell later impressions Calbayogueflos The morning after Mercy I stopped local historian The mayor however making radio announcement about Mercy Philippine Army soldiers indiscrimi nately distributing prescription asthmatic behind Mercy After halting distribution Mayor Dean residents against taking without doctor supervision She apologized citizens Calbayog Americans their treat finalgroup patients promised In addition mentioned local doctors unble visit Mercy It ideal follow goodwill mission I mayor directly clear shouting incident radio announcement would short It should noted Mayor Dean least American She worked hospital U S several years hopes return again another visit Later I visit Dr J R Canto direc hospital entire staff He summed overall effect Mercy health situation What could It something whole region thankful But added whirlwind behind people Dr Canto appreciative Mercy repaired equipment hospital rueful staff could visit Mercy More importantly upset large quantity medical supplies behind Americans given regional military command based Tac located adjacent Leyte province public relations purposes Instead wanted medicines donat Mayor office subse quently hospital since prime mover organizing preparing visit Whatever merits giving supplies regional military headquarters appeared preparations Mercy rival touched small dispute departure engendered minor squabble spoils For final I visited Col Gorospe headquarters north airport His responsibility includes square kilometers surrounding Calbayog His command however closely involved Mercy visit instead provided security logistical support The primary military elements involved civil relations staff regional headquarters Tacloban I position judge whether Col Gorospe capable being involved visit seemed since battalion based Calbayog improve their relations distant relatively unknown civil relations staff As conversation progressed I asked about NPA situation touchy subject In I remembered Gen Mison statement AFP outnumbered NPA Western Samar times Col Gorospe response question there Very NPA responsibility exact figure Moreover press accounts large numbers NPA referred other areas I asked conducted night patrols often He started looked I after pause course conducted night patrols IV Camp ConnelI Throughout Calbayog I wanted history Since Calbayog spared ravages World War II seemed salient story Capt Connell Balangiga massacre where company wiped insurrectos fighting American occupation Although Balangiga located southern Samar nearby remains military named after Connell local conscious The eccelsiastical school suggested Calbayog I visit Mr Antonio Savensio closest thing first account Mr Savensio lived south Calbayog industriously fattened crabs Manila The story related great uncle participants It similar scholarly texts description Connell cruel leader traces local pride The insurrectos snuck garrison Balangiga dressing women bolos hidden beneath their skirts Taking advantage Capt Connell policy prohibited carrying church surprised Americans Sunday orning immediately killing company Of company managed escape At largest single defeat U S Army period between Little Big Horn World War I It shook public confi dence America pacification Samar going smoothly Following Balangiga massacre battalion Marines dispatched Manila punitive campaign Their orders prisoners persons years since designated being capable carrying It brutal campaign which Marine Army units frustrated elusive insurrectos months And after first clamoring geance American public later shocked reports atrocities Henry Cabot Lodge calling American general directing campaign revolting As Capt Connell reality thoroughly abusive leader described local tradition Although conscripted healthiest Balingiga clean sought punish abuses against locals A devout Catholic believed Samaeros bayonet riors This laxity blamed massacre But whether Connell harsh somewhat irrelevant memory which continues For those remember symbolizes bitter chapter U S Philippine relations After bidding Mr Savensio prosperous goodbye I travelled towards Calbayog still search Camp Connell I coast somewhere between cemetery small stream I spent seemed inordi amount covering small patch ground asking directions broken Taqalog After I visions ruins grand structure something along lines colonial forts Malacca Penanq Instead I found remains Camp Connell enclosed thorny grove coastal highway To Camp Connell disappointment would understatement The thick walls crumbled chest height enclosed It fitting reminder temporal nature human endeavor The remains Camp Connell viewed Maharlika highway V Postscript On flight Manila I thought about Hercy visit accomplished Although focus array minor problems associated Mercy I reminded basic American Philippine military personnel worked incredibly bring medical treatment people This treatment gamut giving balloon cough syrup child restoring sight blind Mot those treated poorer sectors society normally would exposed Americans Each patient their family would remember service American doctors Whether goodwill transferred Philippine military whether relations local government significantly improved another matter Despite joint U S Philippine nature effort Mercy perceived American In addition Philippine military personnel visibly involved local personnel doctors Manila members civil relations staff regional headquarters Finally while Hercy visit fostered greater cooperation between military raised tensions As Philippine American medical personnel emphasized lasting improvements health civil military relations would require sustained effort blitz After Mercy along sweating doctors crowds hopeful patients dissipated Calbayog perhaps described local priest In words Calbayog retur normal lethargy Received Hanover Guyot References City Planning Development Office Calbayog Brief Calbayog Schott Joseph L The Ordeal Samar New York Although scholarly detailed secondary source Balangiga incident major reference other authors Miller Chaput Donald The American Press General Vicente Lukban Hero Samar Readings Leyte Samar History Tacloban Hiller Stuart Creighton Benevolent Assimilation The American Conquest Philippines 18991903 New Haven For animated critique Miller allegations American atrocities Brian Linn Stuart C Hiller American Soldier Pilipinas A Journal Philippine Studies Ann Arbor