Peace Corps Pulls Out of Philippines in Death Threat
The Peace Corps said today it is sending home its 261 volunteers in the Philippines after reports that communist rebels there were planning to kill the workers.
Peace Corps director Paul Coverdell said the decision to suspend its program in the Philippines was made after consulting with the White House and State Department.
“A recent concern that Peace Corps volunteers may be among those targeted by the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines has led to this decision to suspend our program,” Coverdell said in a statement.
He added, “All of the volunteers are safe, and this is strictly a precautionary measure.”
Coverdell said the volunteers, most of whom work in remote, rural areas, will start leaving Thursday after a special send-off from Philippines President Corazon Aquino. He said the Peace Corps office in Manila will remain open.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
