TRAINING PHILIPPINE POLICE ON TIP

UNCLAS MANILA 005373

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MTS, G/TIP, INL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS PHUM ASEC KCRM RP
SUBJECT: TRAINING PHILIPPINE POLICE ON TIP

REF: MANILA 3338


1. (U) Summary. In a Mission-sponsored workshop on
Trafficking in Persons (TIP),participants from the
Philippine National Police's (PNP) Women and Children's
Concern Division (WCCD) learned about the seriousness of the
global issue as well as application of key Philippine TIP
legislation. Local media was extensive and largely
favorable, despite a few skewed editorial comments linking
TIP with an ongoing alleged rape case involving U.S. military
personnel. The seminar represented a "quick win" for the PNP
in current reform efforts, in which Mission is playing a
crucial, ongoing role. End Summary.


2. (U) On November 7 and 8, 55 members of the PNP's WCCD
successfully completed a Mission-sponsored TIP seminar. The
workshop, jointly organized by Mission's Political Section
and USAID, was financed by USAID's "Rule of Law
Effectiveness" (ROLE) project to provide training in both
global TIP issues and in the specific application of Republic
Act 9208, the Philippines' anti-trafficking statute.


3. (U) The workshop represented a "quick win" for the PNP in
current reform efforts, in which Mission is playing a
crucial, ongoing role. In June and July, 2005, Mission
hosted an INL-led assessment team that examined the PNP's
strengths and weaknesses and recommended areas of reform.
The team cited training gaps as a key area of focus, and
singled out the WCCD as one of the "bright lights" of the PNP
(reftel). In August, the PNP unveiled its own
detailed Transformation Plan, which drew heavily from the US
assessment as well as from a separate UNDP assessment, also
completed this year. When the PNP Transformation Project
called for early "quick win" projects to build momentum,
Embassy immediately identified USAID's ROLE seminar as one
such project.


4. (U) Reception of the seminar has been extremely positive.
Seminar participants were enthusiastic about the course
materials and instruction, as well as the opportunity to
participate with fellow WCCD officers from around the
country. Favorable press coverage of the event appeared in
major media outlets throughout the week, including remarks by
A/DCM at the closing ceremony. A few skewed editorials
nonetheless tried to imply that the US has double standards
by attacking TIP in the Philippines in the wake of an ongoing
alleged rape case involving U.S. Marines.


5. (U) Comment. PNP's support for this workshop was a
welcome indication of determination to do a better job
against TIP and to assist TIP victims. Embassy will seek
additional training opportunities, such as a planned workshop
for corrections officials, to develop a series of "quick
wins" that will reinforce and build momentum the PNP's
Transformation efforts.

Jones