EAP A/S HILL VISITS MILITARY ACADEMY AND U.S.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 003234 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PHUM CASC KPAO RP SUBJECT: EAP A/S HILL VISITS MILITARY ACADEMY AND U.S. BUSINESS IN BAGUIO ¶1. SUMMARY: EAP A/S Hill stressed themes of military transformation and cooperation -- especially on natural disasters -- among the U.S., the Philippines, and other ASEAN countries in speech to the cadets at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio City on July 30. He participated in a ribbon cutting for the new American Corner located in the PMA library. A/S Hill also toured the Moog Control Corporation, which manufactures parts for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner; met with Baguio area Peace Corps Volunteers and American Citizen Wardens; and visited the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) Transmitting Station in Poro Point, San Fernando. A/S Hill's speech to the cadets in Baguio received wide, positive coverage. END SUMMARY. -------------- The Philippine Military Academy -------------- ¶2. During a July 29-30 visit to the northern Luzon city of Baguio, EAP Assistant Secretary Christopher Hill visited the Philippine Military Academy (PMA),where he received Arrival Honors from the cadets and then met with PMA Superintendent Major General Leopolodo Maligalig and his staff. Their command briefing stressed PMA's ten year transformation plan and highlighted its ongoing interest in the cross training opportunities of its cadets with service academies in the U.S. MG Maligalig noted his attendance at the 2nd Rimland Pacific Superintendents Conference at the U.S. Naval Academy with principal delegates from Singapore, Japan, U.S., Indonesia, and Malaysia. A/S Hill applauded the forward thinking ideas in the PMA presentation and stressed that both the U.S. and the Philippine militaries are transforming to meet new threats. He then took a tour of the PMA and witnessed an impressive silent drill by the cadets on the PMA parade grounds. ¶3. In a lunchtime speech to the cadets, A/S Hill underscored the theme of transformation, saying that "transformation and change are never easy and never quick8 and stressed the &visionary8 nature of the Philippine Defense Reform (PDR). He highlighted the "Battalions of Excellence" program as one of the quick wins under PDR, given its emphasis on training battalions as a whole, instead of individuals. He also said PDR should enable the military to assist with threats such as human and drug trafficking as well as other international crimes. ¶4. A/S Hill emphasized the need for greater cooperation among ASEAN nations, commenting that &ASEAN, through its family of institutions, notably the ASEAN Regional Forum, brings together partner countries and can help bring the militaries of these countries more closely together as well.8 He noted that the armies of the these nations should work together in dealing with natural catastrophes. A/S Hill called on the cadets to help &uphold democracy8 and fully to embrace the concept of civilian control over the military. He also urged a commitment to training and professionalism throughout their careers. ¶5. A/S Hill answered questions from the media immediately following the speech. He elaborated on cooperation in natural disaster response, citing the difficulty in reaching areas hit by the tsunami last year in Indonesia. Regarding North Korea, he pointed out that the &September Agreement8 is still on the table and that North Korea needs to decide whether or not to join the international community. ¶6. Along with the Ambassador, A/S Hill participated in a ribbon cutting for an "American Corner" -- funded by PAS -- at the PMA Library. Our recent donation of USD 13,000 worth of books, computers, and videos will expose cadets to a wide range of civilian- and military-oriented information sources that will contribute to their development as officers in a more professional Philippine military. -------------- Moog Control Corporation -------------- ¶7. A/S Hill and the Ambassador visited Moog Control Corporation, a U.S. company that produces flight control panels and other motion control devices for commercial aircraft, including the new Boeing 787. Moog executives explained how the Baguio facility will increase Moog,s workforce in the Baguio area from approximately 1,000 workers to over 1,500 in the next five years. They projected that sales revenues, currently at $50 million, will reach $100 million by 2011. They said Moog was very pleased with the quality of the workforce, which are recruited from Baguio's MANILA 00003234 002 OF 002 seven universities and technical schools, and with the tax incentives that give Moog Philippines a competitive edge. -------------- -------------- Peace Corps Volunteers and American Citizen Warders -------------- -------------- ¶8. At a reception on July 29, A/S Hill (a former Peace Corp volunteer) met Baguio area Peace Corps volunteers and active, long-standing American Citizen Wardens. The PCVs work in fields as varied as child development, education programs, and coastal resource management. The reception underscored the long-standing and dynamic people-to-people U.S.-Philippine ties in this northern provincial capital. -------------- -------------- International Broadcasting Bureau) Transmitting Station -------------- -------------- ¶9. A/S Hill visited the International Broadcasting Bureau's (IBB) Transmitting Station in Poro Point, San Fernando. This facility, about one hour west of Baguio City, broadcasts Voice of America to China, Vietnam, and other points in Southeast Asia across the South China Sea. The site makes use of sixteen transmitters and its operating budget is approximately $5 million per year. (IBB also operates a larger facility at Concepcion, near Tarlac, Central Luzon, broadcasting to China and Southeast Asia in 11 languages currently.) ¶10. A/S Hill's speech to the PMA generated widespread, positive media coverage with all major dailies giving front page coverage of the speech. His inauguration of the American Corner at the PMA also was well and favorably covered in the press. ¶11. A/S Hill did not have the opportunity to clear this cable. Kenney