MANILA EAC SECURITY REVIEW

UNCLAS MANILA 004481 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR DS/IP/EAP, DS/IP/ITA, S/CT, EAP/EX, EAP/MTS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PTER CASC RP SUBJECT: MANILA EAC SECURITY REVIEW REF: A. 200530Z OCT 06 FROM JICPAC HONOLULU HI ¶B. MANILA 4319 ¶C. MANILA 4290 ¶1. (SBU) The Emergency Action Committee (EAC),chaired by the Ambassador, met on October 25, 2006, to determine what, if any, actions needed to be taken in light of the recent steady stream of threat reporting that various sections of the Embassy have been receiving. Although the usual threats regarding Mindanao are continuing, there is now an up-tic in reporting about possible targets in metropolitan Manila. ¶2. (SBU) The EAC consensus was that events occurring over the last month may account for the increased threat "chatter," including the end of Ramadan and the capture of JI bomber Dumatin's wife. Furthermore, the ASG may be emboldened by what it considers recent successes, such as the central Mindanao bombings of October 10 and 11, 2006, and may be looking for larger targets (REF B & C). Sources have stated that operatives have the desire to attack the city of Manila, but don't have the means. Historically, an upswing of this type of threat reporting is generated around Ramadan and through the Christmas season. ¶3. (SBU) The Ambassador travels extensively to all parts of the Philippines; RSO vets all the sites, always sends an RSO with her, and feels comfortable with her future planned trips. The EAC concurred with a planned October 26 trip to Marawi City. ¶4. (SBU) The ASEAN Summit, ASEAN 3 Summit, and East Asia Summit will be held in Cebu in December 2006, and Embassy Manila's Political Counselor will attend. RSO is in contact with authorities in Cebu and offered assistance with security preparation for the event. RSO has also asked for specialized ATA training for the ASEAN Summit and other scheduled events. ¶5. (U) The EAC concluded that REF A drew some conclusions that may not be fully supported by the totality of the reporting. The EAC agreed that the recent worldwide caution already sent out by the Department, recent Warden Message regarding central Mindanao, and the current Philippine Travel Warning remain sufficient at this time. KENNEY