This report examines the impact of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which struck the central Philippines on November 8, 2013, and the U.S. and international response.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alan Pilot. Pilot joined the Army in January 1943 and received basic training at Camp Howze. He received further training in Louisiana for the European Theater and then in California for the Pacific Theater. In January he left for Camp Old Gold at La Havre, where he served as a combat medic, supporting Companies E, G, and H of the 343rd Infantry, 86th Division. His unit relieved the 8th Division and fought in Cologne, where he was stationed at the top of the cathedral while it was being shelled. In the Ruhr Pocket a defective shell landed 10 feet away from him. He recalls seeing 100,000 Germans surrender there. He describes the Bavarian people as friendly as he passed through Austria on VE Day. He was then sent to the Pacific as part of Operation Coronet. VJ Day came while he was still crossing the Pacific. He spent the last five months of his service in the Philippines at a quiet outpost while the rest of his unit prepared the Philippines for independence. Pilot returned home and was discharged in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alan Pilot. Pilot joined the Army in January 1943 and received basic training at Camp Howze. He received further training in Louisiana for the European Theater and then in California for the Pacific Theater. In January he left for Camp Old Gold at La Havre, where he served as a combat medic, supporting Companies E, G, and H of the 343rd Infantry, 86th Division. His unit relieved the 8th Division and fought in Cologne, where he was stationed at the top of the cathedral while it was being shelled. In the Ruhr Pocket a defective shell landed 10 feet away from him. He recalls seeing 100,000 Germans surrender there. He describes the Bavarian people as friendly as he passed through Austria on VE Day. He was then sent to the Pacific as part of Operation Coronet. VJ Day came while he was still crossing the Pacific. He spent the last five months of his service in the Philippines at a quiet outpost while the rest of his unit prepared the Philippines for independence. Pilot returned home and was discharged in January 1946.

This report discusses key issues in U.S.-Philippine relations and developments in Philippine politics, economics, society, and foreign relations. Global terrorism concerns have brought the United States and the Republic of the Philippines (RP) closer together, but they also have produced some bilateral tensions and highlighted weaknesses in Philippine economic, political, and military institutions. The RP faces terrorist threats through alleged cooperation among three groups — Jeremiah Islamiah (JI), the main Southeast Asian Islamic terrorist organization with ties to Al Qaeda; Abu Sayyaf, a small, violent Muslim separatist group which operates in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago in the southern Philippines; and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), an armed separatist group with alleged ties to both JI and Abu Sayyaf. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has strongly supported the U.S.-led war on terrorism.

As a result of an initiative by Australia in 1989, the United States joined with eleven other Asia/Pacific nations in creating APEC, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation organization. This report discusses the annual Ministerial Meeting of APEC in Seattle, held from November 17 - 19, 1993.

Interview with Clifford Warren, a veteran of World War II spending 3 1/2 years in captivity following the Battle of Corregidor. Warren answers many questions regarding his participation in World War II and shares his experiences of being held prisoner in Japanese prison camps.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, covering a news story about the crime rate and martial law in the Philippines.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story about Martial Law in the Philippines.

Interview with Volnie S. Burk, an Army veteran and survivor of the siege at Fort Hughes near Corregidor, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Burk discusses the fall of Fort Hughes and his capture, Bilibid Prison in Manila (1942), Cabanatuan (1942-1943), the Manila port area (1943), his return to Bilibid Prison (1943-1944), the fall of Manila (1945), and his liberation.

Copy of letter sent from Cecelia McKie to Charles M. Kirkpatrick, recorded in the letter as 'Mr. T. M. Kilpatrick', regarding prisoner of war Harlan G. Kirkpatrick, recorded in the letter as 'Harland J. Kilpatrick (?)'. Letter contains transcribed message broadcast about internee on Radio Tokyo.

Copy of letter sent from Cecelia McKie to Eddie Dennis, recorded in the letter as 'Miss Edda Dennis (?)' regarding Santo Tomas Internment Camp internee Jeannette Light, recorded in the letter as 'Janet Knight'. Letter contains transcribed message broadcast from internee on Radio Tokyo.

Copy of letter sent from Cecelia McKie to 'Mr. Hartley Lansbery', San Fernando, California, regarding Santo Tomas Internment Camp internee 'Irene Lansbery', as recorded in the letter. Letter contains transcribed message broadcast to father from internee on Radio Tokyo.

Copy of letter sent from Cecelia McKie to Mr. and Mrs. C. N. Lindsey, recorded in the letter as 'Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Lindsey (?)' regarding Santo Tomas Internment Camp internee Elbert Ross Lindsey, recorded in the letter as 'Albert Ross Lindsay'. Letter contains transcribed message broadcast to parents from internee on Radio Tokyo.

Copy of letter sent from Cecelia McKie to 'Mrs. Berry', of Engelhard, North Carolina, regarding internee or prisoner of war 'Royal N. Berry', possibly a member of the armed forces. Letter contains transcribed message broadcast to mother from internee on Radio Tokyo.

Copy of letter sent from Cecelia McKie to 'Mrs. H. W. (Beverly) (Knox) (Motsch) (?)', of Valparaiso, Indiana, regarding Santo Tomas Internment Camp internee 'M. O. Coleman, American civilian, New York City'. Letter contains transcribed message broadcast from internee on Radio Tokyo.

Copy of letter sent from Cecelia McKie to 'Mrs. Rogers' of 'Staunton, Virginia (?)' regarding prisoner of war 'Staff Sergeant Reynold James Rogers (?)'. Letter contains transcribed message broadcast to mother from internee on Radio Tokyo.

Copy of letter sent from Cecelia McKie to 'Mrs. W. R. Lowry', of Columbus, Ohio, regarding Santo Tomas Internment Camp internee 'William L. Sloane (?) (Lowry)'. Letter contains transcribed message broadcast from internee on Radio Tokyo.