AMBASSADOR CALLS ON PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE

UNCLAS MANILA 002680 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM RP SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR CALLS ON PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE CHIEF REF: A. MANILA 2672 ¶B. 05 MANILA 5373 ¶1. (U) Summary. In a June 23 courtesy call on the Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General, the Ambassador expressed the U.S. Mission's appreciation for PNP contributions to our security, encouraged good coordination between the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines as they battle the communist insurgency in order to avoid loss of civilian life, thanked the PNP for its efforts against anti-trafficking in persons, and highlighted U.S. support for reform within the PNP. End Summary. ¶2. (U) On June 23, the Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Arturo C. Lomibao. A PNP honor guard greeted her upon arrival with the U.S. and Philippine national anthems, after which the Ambassador inspected the assembled officers in the company of Deputy Director Oscar Calderon (a strong contender to replace Lomibao when he reaches mandatory retirement age in July 2006),who expressed his enthusiastic appreciation for the support the U.S. has given the PNP over the years. ¶3. (U) General Lomibao thanked the Ambassador for paying the courtesy call, and for all the assistance the U.S. has offered the PNP, including his opportunity to meet with the FBI Deputy Director in the U.S. in early June. The Ambassador expressed the U.S. Mission's appreciation for the protection that the PNP provides the Embassy and annex buildings, as well as for its assistance in cases involving American Citizens and for her security detail. ¶4. (U) General Lomibao noted that President Arroyo had recently asked the PNP to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the government's newly-reinvigorated campaign against the armed insurgency of the communist New People's Army (NPA). The Ambassador stressed that coordination between the PNP and AFP would be essential in order to prevent the loss of civilian life as the GRP pursued the NPA. The Ambassador also asked Lomibao what he thought the next steps would be in the fight against the NPA. Lomibao responded that perhaps the PNP could join the AFP in Balikatan and other exercises, now that the PNP was engaged in counter-terrorism activities. The Ambassador said this was an interesting idea that would require further study. ¶5. (U) Citing her tour of an anti-Trafficking in Persons facility in Davao on June 22 (ref A),the Ambassador expressed appreciation for the PNP's efforts in assisting TIP victims. Lomibao singled out the PNP's Women and Children's Concerns Division as particularly instrumental on TIP cases. The Ambassador pledged that the U.S. Mission would continue to work with the PNP on this issue. (Ref B discusses a USG-sponsored anti-TIP seminar offered to WCCD officers in November 2005.) ¶6. (U) The Ambassador highlighted the U.S. Mission's support for security reforms, including the PNP's Transformational Program, which is building on the INL-led Joint Assessment in ¶2005. General Lomibao noted that the first year of this program had been successful, but that there is still an ambitious reform agenda over the next decade. He said that he was particularly pleased with the way the Transformation Program was working to change the culture of the PNP and to strengthen both its leadership and its new recruits. The Ambassador agreed that such a transformation would help promote a peaceful and prosperous Philippines, which is what both our countries want. ¶7. (U) Joining the Ambassador were the Mission's Legal Attache, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Attache, Acting RSO, and Poloff (notetaker). Kenney