PGMA AND INDONESIA'S YUDHOYONO REAFFIRM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002888

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/PMBS, EAP/IET, INR/EAP, S/CT
NSC FOR GREEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2015
TAGS: PTER PREL PINS ID RP
SUBJECT: PGMA AND INDONESIA'S YUDHOYONO REAFFIRM
COUNTERTERROR COOPERATION

REF: A. MANILA 2108


B. MANILA 2105

Classified By: Political Officer Joseph Saus
for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) Summary. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA)
and her Indonesian counterpart President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono (SBY) discussed bolstering counterterrorism
cooperation, law enforcement, and border control -- issues
already covered under a 2001 information exchange agreement
-- during SBY's June 21-23 visit to Manila. Energy
cooperation and cultural exchanges rounded out the
discussions. The GRP-GOI commitment to tighter immigration
control of undocumented Indonesian nationals in the southern
Philippines is a positive step -- especially against
Indonesian Jemaah Islamiyah members -- although the extremely
porous border and the archipelagic nature of the area make
immigration enforcement an unrelenting challenge. End
Summary.

Counterterror Cooperation
--------------


2. (SBU) Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY)
made an official visit to the Philippines on June 21-23.
According to a Joint Press Statement disseminated through the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),the two Presidents
focused on transnational issues such as counterterrorism,
immigration control, and law enforcement cooperation. In
promoting their common security, the two leaders emphasized
the importance of strengthening counterterrorism cooperation
through information exchanges and enhanced coordination and
cooperation between regional police commands along the border
of the two countries. The two leaders agreed to work more
closely to ensure maritime security in border areas.


3. (C) DFA Division Director for Southeast Asia, Domingo
Nalasco, noted the visit was successful from both sides and
served to renew longstanding commitments and cooperation. He
said a GRP-GOI working-level meeting might occur in October
to explore "more concrete measures" regarding immigration and
border controls.

Law Enforcement And Immigration Control
--------------


4. (SBU) Indonesian National Police Chief, General Dai
Bachtiar, met separately with his counterpart, Philippine
National Police (PNP) Chief General Arturo Lomibao, at PNP
Headquarters on June 21. The two chiefs discussed mechanisms
for coordination and established working groups to ensure
regular exchanges of information on fugitives; coordination
in the arrest and interrogation of suspected criminals and
terrorists; exchange visits by law enforcers; and sharing of
technical and operation expertise.


5. (SBU) According to the DFA Press Release, PGMA and SBY
pledged to coordinate closely regarding undocumented
Indonesians in Mindanao, and discussed three possible
options: repatriation; legalization of their stay in the
Philippines; and integration into local society. SBY
expressed appreciation for the easing of the Philippine
administrative rules on the issuance of alien certificates of
registration (ACRs) to native-born Indonesian nationals.

OIC and Energy Roundout Discussions
--------------


6. (SBU) Other issues discussed include SBY's support for
GRP observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference
(OIC) and Indonesian support for ongoing peace efforts in
Mindanao. The two presidents also discussed enhanced energy
cooperation between their countries. PGMA suggested GOI and
GRP energy officials soon meet to discuss the GRP's interest
in importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Indonesia's
Tangguh project.


7. (C) Comment: GRP-GOI counterterrorism cooperation was
already established under a 2001 information sharing
agreement. We are encouraged at the move to broaden GRP-GOI
law enforcement against suspected terrorists, given the
presence in Mindanao of Indonesian nationals who are members
of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist organization. The
tenor of discussions during the visit suggest any possible
capture of JI suspects involved with the Bali bombing
(Dulmatin and Patek, see refs A,B) could result in their
repatriation to face justice in Indonesia. Such commitments,
however, would constitute a departure from the past as
several Indonesian JI suspects, including financier Taufik
Refke, remain in Philippine detention. End Comment.
BELLARD