PHILIPPINES WATCHING CLOSELY THE SITUATION IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANILA 003959 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP AND EAP/MTS USPACOM ALSO FOR FPA HUSO SECDEF/OSD/ISA/AP (LAWLESS/TOOLAN/BAILEY) JS/J5 (WILKES/ROBINSON/CLEMMONS) E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2016 TAGS: PREL PINS MARR MOPS TH RP SUBJECT: PHILIPPINES WATCHING CLOSELY THE SITUATION IN THAILAND REF: A. MANILA 950 AND PREVIOUS ¶B. MANILA 3935 Classified By: (U) Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) We are monitoring closely the reaction of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to the coup in Thailand. The Philippines has experienced numerous cases of military unrest, the most recent being the failed coup attempt of February 2006 (ref A). The government is currently preparing courts martial against coup-plotters for their alleged role in the February mutiny. ¶2. (C) The newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Hermogenes Esperon, who as Army commander played a key role in nipping the February revolt in the bud, has emphasized in recent statements to the press and a major policy address (ref B) that he firmly rejects other than lawful means of changing the government and strongly supports the chain of command. Esperon has publicly and repeatedly said he supports prosecution of offenders for their part in the February 2006 alleged coup plot. ¶3. (C) Ambassador will be talking with Secretary of National Defense Cruz before he makes a major policy address tomorrow night on defense policy, and JUSMAG Chief has a scheduled meeting as well with General Esperon. We anticipate the subject of the Thai coup will come up in both discussions, as well as during the Ambassador's planned September 25 visit to Western Mindanao Command. Ambassador and JUSMAG Chief intend to emphasize U.S. support for the rule of law, chain of command, and peaceful resolution of political differences. The Arroyo Administration, Filipino military, the Opposition, and others will be watching closely what the United States does, or doesn't do, in response to the coup in Thailand. Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm KENNEY