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MANILA, Philippines (AP) - A U.S. Navy hospital ship will visit the eastern and southern Philippines next month on a humanitarian mission, including areas where Muslim separatist rebels are active, Philippine and American officials said.
U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Thompson said Tuesday the USNS Mercy, one of two Navy hospital ships, will make stops in Samar, southeast of Manila, and the main southern island of Mindanao at the invitation of the Philippine government.
Muslim regional Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan told reporters late Monday the ship staff will conduct hundreds of surgeries — about half to repair cleft palates — and rehabilitate school buildings in the central Mindanao region.
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