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Philippines, US to Search for WWII MIAs

The two countries hope to give fallen soldiers a proper burial after 65 years

By the Associated Press

Posted Jun 3, 2011 12:28 PM CDT

(AP) – The Philippines and the United States have signed an accord to jointly search for the remains of American troops missing in action in the Philippines during World War II. The "statement of intent" signed today by Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. was the first step in setting guidelines for the search, according to the US Embassy. Families of the missing have not been able to know their final stories and have not given them a proper burial for more than 65 years. Neither country gave figures of the missing.

Simeon Banaag (R) 88 years old, and Nicolas Dallog, (L) World War II veterans salute in front of a grave of a fallen comrade at the Heroes cemetery in Manila, 28 August 2005. (Getty Images)

A child holds a miniature Philippine flag standing side by side with a US flag at the grave of a soldier who fell during World War II at the Manila American Cemetery in Fort Bonifacio on May 30, 2010. (Getty Images)

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Philippines, US to Search for WWII MIAs

The two countries hope to give fallen soldiers a proper burial after 65 years

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