PROPOSED MOU FOR THE "MAPP"

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MANILA 001909

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR INL AND INL/AAE, DS/DSS/ATA, DS/IP/EAP
STATE ALSO FOR S/CT/CHANDLER/FUJIMURA, EAP AND EAP/PMBS
JUSTICE FOR ICITAP, OPDAT AND OIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KCRM SOCI KCOR PTER PGOV PINS ASEC RP
SUBJECT: PROPOSED MOU FOR THE "MAPP"

REF: A. MANILA 1889

B. MANILA 1792

C. 04 MANILA 5502


1. (U) This is an action request -- see para 4.


2. (U) Noting that the Philippine National Police (PNP) --
at the instigation of Philippine Ambassador to Washington Del
Rosario -- was now interested in pursuing a "Management
Assessment of the Philippine Police" with the USG that would
parallel the ongoing Philippine Defense Reform initiative,
Police Chief Superintendent Luizo Ticman of the PNP's
Directorate for Plans conveyed to Embassy a draft "Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) On the Conduct of the Management
Assessment of the Philippine National Police (MAPP)," with a
request for comments. (Full text in para 5.) Ticman
specified that the PNP had prepared the MOU for possible
signing during the May 17 meeting of Foreign Secretary
Alberto Romulo with Secretary Rice. Assistant Secretary of
Foreign Affairs for American Affairs Ariel Abadilla and North
American Affairs Director Marc De Borja separately confirmed
the DFA's high interest in this project as an item at least
discussion -- and possibly as an important deliverable --
during the Foreign Secretary's visit. The GRP may also raise
this request during Deputy Secretary of State Zoellick,s May
10 discussions in Manila (ref a).


3. (SBU) Comment: We have explained to the PNP and DFA
that the USG had not yet formally decided on how to proceed
with this proposal from Embassy (ref c). Embassy continues
to view the MAPP as an essential next step in encouraging
systemic reform within the PNP, our other key partner (in
addition to the Armed Forces of the Philippines) in the
Global War on Terror, as well as on counternarcotics
programs, anti-trafficking in persons efforts, and other law
enforcement issues. The initiative of the DFA and PNP in
trying to jump-start this project appears clearly to reflect
the importance the GRP has already assigned to this effort.
We believe the GRP will welcome this bilateral cooperation in
devising a roadmap toward overdue systemic change in the PNP
through the MAPP, and urge USG support. We may wish,
however, to insist on some level of PNP financial support for
this project, as the Department of National Defense is
providing in the PDR. End comment.


4. (SBU) Action request: Please provide by May 6 a response
to this draft MOU as well as possible talking points for the
Secretary's and Deputy Secretary's use in their May 17 and

SIPDIS
May 10 meetings with GRP counterparts, respectively.


5. (SBU) Draft text of the GRP draft MOU follows:

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING MOU) BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF
THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES GRP) AND THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT (USG) ON THE CONDUCT OF MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT OF
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (MAPP)


I. Overview

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and
the United States Government (USG) have established a strong
bilateral relationship through their various cooperative
efforts especially in the field of law enforcement. However,
the GRP's capacity to respond on the security and law
enforcement concerns of the USG is primarily anchored on the
former's capability to maintain an effective, efficient, and
responsive police force ) the Philippine National Police
(PNP).

The GRP acknowledged that the PNP is experiencing
institutional deficiencies, weak training system, poor
internal controls, and unrealized strategic vision. It is
for this reason that a comprehensive framework is essential
for the PNP to transform itself into a modern and
professional police force, serving a democratic society.
While it is also recognized that the PNP has undergone and is
embarking on a series of reform efforts, it is understood
that there still exists an opportunity to reinforce and
accelerate these PNP reform initiatives. It is to be
acknowledged that reforming the PNP will greatly contribute
to national and regional stability.

In view of the urgent need to come up with a comprehensive
framework for PNP reform program, it is understood that both
governments will jointly conduct a management assessment of
the PNP.

II. Objectives of the MAPP:

A joint RP-US &Management Assessment of the PNP8 (MAPP)
shall endeavor to:


1. Identify and prioritize key PNP institutional weaknesses
and lay out a road map on how to address them;

2. Identify institutional shortcomings and provide concrete
recommendations for corrective action, covering the areas of
human resource management (recruitment, selection,
placement, training and education, promotion, retirement),
budgeting and financial management, logistics management,
organization, professional standards, operational procedures,
policy development and implementation, strategic planning and
management continuity; and


3. Develop an implementation plan.

III. Desired Outcomes:

The MAPP is expected to:


1. Bring about a strategic framework in
prioritizing/optimizing PNP resources and US assistance
programs that will improve the law enforcement capacity of
the PNP;


2. Allow better integration of all US law enforcement
assistance programs and create synergies with other
international donors' law enforcement assistance programs; and


3. Engage the GRP in committing to sustain the
transformation of the PNP into a democratic and professional
police force.

IV. Methods and Procedures in Conducting the MAPP:

The MAPP must be a collaborative undertaking between the USG
and the GRP through the pairing of experts. The USG shall
identify multi-disciplinary experts from its various law
enforcement arms (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug
Enforcement Agency, Department of Homeland Security, among
others) to work closely with PNP experts in conducting the
MAPP. A joint Assessment Team (JAT) shall be composed of
these experts from both governments and shall be Co-Chaired
by senior representatives from both sides. The JAT shall be
assisted by a secretariat composed of PNP personnel.

The MAPP shall be conducted by comparing local conditions
against those considered as law enforcement standards and
&best practices8. This will be undertaken through
interviews, direct observations, focus group discussions,
surveys, and task/process analysis.

The GRP shall ensure the availability of all required
personnel, documents and facilities while the USG shall
provide funding in the conduct of the MAPP.

It also to be understood that the GRP shall endeavor to fully
comply to the recommendations of the MAPP and the USG shall
provide financial support in order to achieve the desired
outcomes of the MAPP.


V. Time Frame:

The MAPP shall be conducted for a period of three (3) months
from the time this MOU is signed by the representatives of
both governments. It shall be conducted in three (3) phases:

Phase I - Management Assessment (9 weeks)
Phase II - Preparation of Report (2 weeks)
Phase III - Validation (1 week)

VI. Limitations:

This Memorandum of Understanding shall be implemented in
accordance with each country's domestic laws and regulations
and in accordance with their international obligations.

VII. Settlement of Disputes:

Any dispute regarding the interpretation or implementation of
this MOU shall be resolved through consultation and
negotiation between the two governments through diplomatic
channel and will not be referred to any Third Party or
tribunal for resolution.

For the Government of the United States of America:

For the Government of the Republic of the Philippines:
Ricciardone