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Second Storm Threat; Daughter Trying to Get Parents Out Alive; Rock Band Member Killed; Incognito and Martin Story; Veterans in Focus

Aired November 11, 2013 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Wolf, thanks so much.

Well, on this Veterans Day when we honor all the men and women in the U.S. military, we are seeing America's best respond to what may turn out to be the worst disaster the Philippines ever experienced. The country's president has declared, quote, "a state of national calamity." No one knows how high the death toll will rise. It's now three days after Super Typhoon Haiyan has hit. Officials estimate 10,000 lives have been lost. The official tally at this hour, 942. And another storm is on the way. Debris blanketing Tacloban, Leyte, and Sumar and other areas, covering up many of the victims. Other corpses just lay out in the open.

Well, we're about to show you some pretty tough images to watch. Rescuers pulling bodies from heaps of wreckage while survivors picking through all of them, trying to find food. Yes, there are reports of looting and people know that they're drinking dirty water.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): It's difficult. We are helpless like a newborn. It's really difficult. There's no more food inside the warehouse and the malls.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I don't need a lot of clothes, just one shirt, that's all I'm asking for.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Well, as more that 600,000 Filipinos now seeking shelter, many of them are haunted by what Haiyan took from them. One mother talked to the "Philippine Daily Inquirer" about seeing her daughter die. Quote, "Ma, just let go. Save yourself, said the girl, whose body was pierced by wooden splinters. I was holding her and I kept telling her to hang on, that I was going to bring her up. But she just gave up."

And as we know now, as we see these pictures, Haiyan may turn out to be the strongest storm on record. Its sustained winds were as strong as 195 miles per hour. Sturdy evacuation shelters were no match for a storm surge as high as 16 feet. And as the storm crossed the string of Philippine islands, huge walls of water just pushed ashore, carrying debris and people within it. But the danger is far from over.

I want to bring in meteorologist Chad Myers.

Chad, another storm on the way, right?

CHAD MYERS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, another minor storm. But nothing's minor when your house is in ruin, when everything's just slammed on the ground. I mean, and this wind, even if it's 35 to 40 miles per hour, is going to pick this stuff up again. This was a big deal. And this -- this is the storm surge problem that we had with Sandy. Remember Sandy, how much water got pushed up in New York Harbor, Kyra?

PHILLIPS: Oh, we can't forget it. We were all there covering it.

MYERS: This - this -- there's the storm six days ago. Here's the country of the Philippines. Almost the same size here. So as you put this into motion, it came in and it slammed right through the island chain and the problem is obviously still going to be the wind, the waves. We talked about the wind of 195. That's equal to an EF-4 tornadoes. I was listening to somebody, an eye witness report said, we had a tornado over our house for four hours. The wind never stopped. That's why you see everything that looks like a toothpick.

PHILLIPS: Well, you mention the winds, but it's that storm surge. That's what becomes so deadly.

MYERS: Yes, let's get to that. Let me show you something here. This is the city of Tacloban. And this is part of the problem. This is the same problem we had with Sandy. Water got pushed up into New York Harbor. It had nowhere to go because the rivers just kind of go up and it gets smaller and smaller. All the water was coming in here, coming over - there's the airport, going over the airport, washing out everything in the airport, washing planes away as well, and then filling up this bay. And that bay, all the way to 16 feet from where we are, that's sea level, 16 feet from there, that's where the waters stopped rising. So everything you see, all the way through here, all the way through here, all those homes, all those houses, all those businesses, gone.

PHILLIPS: We're going to keep talking about, the next couple of hours, all this with you, Chad. Thanks so much.

MYERS: You're welcome.

PHILLIPS: Well, Typhoon Haiyan left devastation of monumental scale in its wake. We've talked about that for days now. And many areas are still cut off from transportation, communications, power. And in an attempt to get any word out at all, people in devastated areas are using CNN iReports to send message to family. An iReporter who works for a social media company in Manila actually uploaded notes from Tacloban, a series of hand-written messages. Some were written on paper plates, random pieces of paper, anything they could find. And then back here in the U.S., families are also desperate to make contact with their loved ones. CNN iReporter Jacquelyn Branscomb posted this picture of her parents with a plea for any information on their whereabouts. Well, Jacquelyn now joins me by phone from Alexandria, Virginia.

Jacquelyn, you just received word, I'm told, that your parents are alive. What did you hear? What do you know?

JACQUELYN BRANSCOMB, PARENTS LIVE IN LEYTE, PHILIPPINES (via telephone): What we've -- I have been on Facebook for the past couple of days and a cousin of mine that's in Cebu got word that a cousin of -- another cousin of ours had walked about six hours to get to my parents and has told them that -- told my other cousins that they're OK. What we've heard so far, that's all we've - that's basically all we've heard so far is that they're OK. We don't know the condition of the house. I haven't heard anything about the condition of the house or their health. So that's -- or the food situation or water. And that's where our concern is right now.

PHILLIPS: And I understand they're in Leyte. That's one of the hardest hit areas. When was the last time you actually had a chance to speak to your parents?

BRANSCOMB: I spoke to my dad about two hours before the storm hit. It was about 9:30 in the morning on Thursday, I believe, our time here. He just mentioned that there was a storm coming and that their plan was that they were going to stay on the second floor of our home there in Tacloban City. And that they went and got some food and water and he thought that everything would be OK, but we haven't heard anything since other than --

PHILLIPS: You know I'm looking at this - I'm looking at this picture of them and I understand they're in their 70s. Mom is 77, dad is 72. He's a Vietnam vet, right? Did they fall in love, Jacquelyn, during the war?

BRANSCOMB: I believe they met - I don't know if it was before or - I think it was -- it was in the '60s. I'm not sure if it was during the war or not, but I know my dad was stationed in the Philippines in Manila at that time and that's where they met.

PHILLIPS: Well, they are a precious couple and you --

BRANSCOMB: Yes, they're really funny. They're a funny couple.

PHILLIPS: And my guess is --

BRANSCOMB: Very strong.

PHILLIPS: Yes, well, and that's what's going to keep them alive, and that's what's going to keep them, you know, fighting to get back to you. And you actually lived in Tacloban City, right, when you were little? And you visited there just a few years ago. Is there any way you can describe to us, you know, this city before the storm? Because we're seeing all this devastation, but most of us never saw what this really looked like prior to this.

BRANSCOMB: Oh, yes. The storm -- it was different when I was living there. I was living there in '92 and '93. I went back recently for my mom's 75th birthday. It's different. There's - we -- I was really excited when I saw there was a McDonald's open, but I just heard that the McDonald's was destroyed because it's next to the water. It was a building city. It was growing. They had the stoplights going (ph). It's just -- to me, it was home. It was -- my sister graduated from high school there. I went to school there in elementary school and everyone is so friendly. Everyone is just -- it's just an amazing city. It's lively. There's a lot of different festivals there and it's just home to so much of my family. It's just -- it's devastating to see what the - what it looks like right now, especially the airport. It's just -- it amazes me - I was just standing on that tarmac, getting ready to board that plane, and now seeing it, it's just - it's unbelievable.

PHILLIPS: Well, we are so glad that your parents are OK. I hope that we can keep in touch with you and hear from them and see you all together soon. Jacquelyn, thanks so much for calling in.

BRANSCOMB: Thank you so much.

PHILLIPS: You bet.

And for more on how you can help the survivors of this disaster in the Philippines, all you have to do is visit cnn.com/impact.

Well, coming up back here at home, three members of an Iranian rock band found dead in New York and police say the murder wasn't random. They actually know who did it. A live report is next.

Plus, the NFL bullying saga just took a pretty bizarre turn. The player accused of harassing his teammate calls the alleged victim his best friend. That he did everything out of love. Richie Incognito says that Jonathan Martin sent him nasty messages, too. What the heck is going on?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: The story of an underground band that escaped persecution in Iran ended in tragedy early this morning in New York. Police say that a man shot and killed at least one member of a group called the Yellow Dogs inside a Brooklyn townhouse, then shot himself. CNN's Nic Robertson has been following this story.

So, Nic, what are police saying about these shootings, the suspect, and a possible motive? Was it somebody within the band?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It certainly appears to be somebody who was known to the band, Kyra. I mean here are the details that the police have given us so far. That just after midnight in Brooklyn, the gunman goes to this building. Before he goes in, he shoots somebody outside. This man is injured. Shot in the arm. He's taken to the hospital, released later in the morning.

But the gunman, after shooting that person outside, goes upstairs on the second floor. He shoots and kills Sourosh Farazmand, who was the guitarist in the Yellow Dogs. Twenty-seven years old. The gunman then goes up to the next floor in the building, shoots the guitarist's 28- year-old brother, shoots another man, then goes to the roof of the building and takes his own life. The police say that he was using a .308 caliber rifle when he took his own life and in those other shootings.

So those are the details. One member of the Yellow Dogs, this Iranian punk rock band, killed. The gunman is believed to have been a member of a band, another Iranian punk rock band, called the Free Keys. There had been some dispute between the Three Keys and the Yellow Dogs in recent weeks. That's what we understand, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, it's interesting, as we started looking into the band, it apparently had this following all across the New York area and a pretty remarkable past, yes? I mean they were playing underground in Iran and then they were coming here seeking asylum. You know, what more can you tell us about their background? Did -- were the lyrics political at all?

ROBERTSON: You know, in 2009, when the band was in Tehran, CNN actually covered them and did a story there. This is a brand who was playing in underground rooms that they soundproofed themselves because playing rock music in Iran is against the law. They could get locked up. They could get heavy fines. Young musicians who that had happened to in the past there generally never played again. So a totally underground scene.

They got a chance to get out of Iran in 2010, and that was their dream. They knew they liked to play rock music. They love playing to crowds. It was a real aspiration to come to somewhere like New York where they could be free, free to play their music, free to associate, do whatever they wanted to do. And they were beginning to live that dream here, play their music after the sort of harsh scene in Tehran that it does appear to have ended at least in part in tragedy this morning, Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Nic, keep us updated on the investigation. Thanks.

Well, up next, bad guy or best friend? Suspended Miami Dolphin Richie Incognito speaks out on bullying allegations and reports that he used racist and vulgar language. Well, Incognito also opens up about his relationship with Jon Martin, referring to him as his best friend. I'm going to talk with a former NFL player about the culture in the locker room.

Plus, are you tire of packing those little bottles of shampoo to take on the airplane? Up next, a new screening device that could allow the FAA to relax a little bit on that liquid policy.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Airline passengers in Europe might soon be able to bring water bottles on their flights. Wouldn't that be nice? "The Los Angeles Times" reports the European Union has decided to ease its carry-on restrictions. Allowable items will include shampoos, as well as some aerosols and gels. And next year, London's Heathrow Airport will start using screening devices made by an Ohio company to detect any explosive materials in bottles. The FAA has not said if it will follow suit. Let's keep our fingers crossed. But "The Times" said the TSA is looking into several technologies to scene liquids. All right, tonight, the Miami Dolphins hit the field for Monday night football, minus starting lineman Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin, of course. Martin walked away from the team last month. Incognito has been suspended indefinitely as the NFL investigates allegations that he bullied Martin, forcing him to take a leave of absence. Now we're hearing Incognito's side of the story. He actually sat down with Fox Sports' Jay Glazer and said, hey, this is all a big misunderstanding and those vulgar messages to Martin, well, they came from a place of love.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHIE INCOGNITO, SUSPENDED MIAMI DOLPHINS GUARD: This isn't an issue about bullying. This is an issue of mine and Jon's relationship where I may - I've taken stuff too far. And I didn't know it was hurting him. My actions were coming from a place of love. No matter how bad and how vulgar it sounds, that's how we communicate, that's how our friendship was and those are the facts and that's what I'm accountable for.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Joining me now, former NFL player and Super Bowl champ Dwight Hicks.

You know, Dwight, you are definitely one of the most respected players that I know personally. So I want to ask you directly, in your opinion, is Richie Incognito a bully or is his hazing, as he says, coming from a, quote, "place of love"? What are your thoughts?

DWIGHT HICKS, RETIRED NFL PLAYER: Well, I did some research myself and saw that the two of them had exchanged over 1,100 e-mails or text messages in the last 18 months. And even after Jonathan Martin had left the team, after a Miami win, he texted Richie and, you know, told him good win, good game. So I don't think that there's - I think people are misunderstanding their relationship. And if Incognito didn't know that it was hurting his friend, you know, to me, it's like you should know that as a friend.

PHILLIPS: I'm just curious, because when you look at all the vulgar things that he said in his text messages, OK, I mean, when you were in the locker room, let's say during one of your Super Bowl moments, OK, did white players ever come up to you or do you think they would ever think of coming up to you, saying, hey, you know, n-word, this is coming, you know, from a place of love. I'm going to slap your mother. I'm going to kill you. I mean were you ever talked to like that, Dwight?

HICKS: Well, no, I was never talked to like that or spoken to anyone like that. But what we have to understand is that this new generation communicates differently and the boundaries are changing. And what was accepted or what wasn't accepted when I was playing and what is accepted now are two different things. And I think this new generation, they're expressing themselves differently. And those boundaries are changing, whether it's through art, whether it's through the spoken word, and through their music as well. So it's a little bit confusing as we look as bystanders and get information third-hand, but only the two of them really know for sure.

But I'm telling you, when you've had over 1,100 text messages in the last, you know, 18 months, and then, after leaving the team, you're expressing your gratitude and adulation for a teammate after winning a game, I don't think that there's someone, if I didn't like and didn't have a good relationship with. And after a win, after I left the team, I wouldn't be -- that would be the last person I'd text.

PHILLIPS: Yes.

HICKS: And Jonathan texted him. So, you know, I don't think we're getting the full story. And we're not understanding the full implications of what is happening between the two of them. I do know that the media has -- as this story has changed exponentially, it's went from Martin leaving the team, to hazing, and now to bullying, and now to a character -- you know, a character, you know, exchange in which, you know, it's detrimental to Incognito. Meaning that, you know, is this guy being vilified? And we really don't know.

PHILLIPS: Interesting, because if you look at the interview, I mean this caught so many people's attention, OK. Just his appearance alone. You know, I love what I heard this morning. You know, is this Richie Incognito or Richie Cunningham, you know, because you've got this total bad boy with the tattoos, you know, and looking like he's going to come after somebody, to this very well dressed, you know, tailored man. I mean, I guess, what's your gut, Dwight? I mean is he a jerk or is he just a typical player hazing someone that, you know, he calls his best friend and that's just the way it is now?

HICKS: Well, I really can't say because I don't know the nuances of their relationship and we are, like I said --

PHILLIPS: But there's definitely more to the story is what you think?

HICKS: There's definitely more to the story than I think how they're depicting Incognito. Because, I mean, he's a big guy. He's a huge guy. And when you see - when that video went viral of him ranting and using the n-word, it looked like, wow, what the heck is this guy doing?

However, one of his teammates, who he was saying was in the house, was there. And he didn't seem to have a problem with that. So, as I said, this generation, the -- what is accepted now is a little bit different than what was accepted when I was playing. And I feel that if there is something going on as far as him being bullied or harassed, I think the leadership of that team, somebody should have stepped up and say, you know what, you know, we got to cool it.

PHILLIPS: Be held accountable.

HICKS: This guy is really sensitive. It's bothering him. And you want to be -- your teammate to be able to do his job, because it's going to help the team. And if you do anything other than that, and being disruptive, it's only going to hurt the team and hurt this young man.

PHILLIPS: Well, we're going to follow it for sure. Dwight Hicks, appreciate your time today. Thanks. HICKS: You're very welcome.

PHILLIPS: A quick break. We'll be right back.

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