Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANILA5017
2006-12-15 10:40:00
SECRET
Embassy Manila
Cable title:  

DECEMBER 15 UPDATE ON JOLO OPERATIONS

Tags:  PTER MARR MASS MOPS MCAP PREL RP 
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VZCZCXRO6147
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #5017 3491040
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 151040Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4295
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA IMMEDIATE 9493
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO IMMEDIATE 3004
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNS/COMSOCPAC HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
S E C R E T MANILA 005017 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP, PM, S/CT, AND EAP/MTS
USPACOM ALSO FOR FPA HUSO AND J5
SECDEF/OSD/ISA/AP (TOOLAN/BAILEY)
JOINT STAFF/J5 (WILKES/ROBINSON/CLEMMONS)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2016
TAGS: PTER MARR MASS MOPS MCAP PREL RP
SUBJECT: DECEMBER 15 UPDATE ON JOLO OPERATIONS

REF: MANILA 4934 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: (U) Pol/C Scott Bellard
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

S E C R E T MANILA 005017

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP, PM, S/CT, AND EAP/MTS
USPACOM ALSO FOR FPA HUSO AND J5
SECDEF/OSD/ISA/AP (TOOLAN/BAILEY)
JOINT STAFF/J5 (WILKES/ROBINSON/CLEMMONS)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2016
TAGS: PTER MARR MASS MOPS MCAP PREL RP
SUBJECT: DECEMBER 15 UPDATE ON JOLO OPERATIONS

REF: MANILA 4934 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: (U) Pol/C Scott Bellard
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C/REL AUS) The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
continues its pursuit of senior Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah
Islamiyah terrorists on the island of Jolo. Fresh troops
from the Lanao del Sur-based 2nd Marine Brigade have arrived
in order to sustain the operational tempo, which includes an
ongoing series of raids and sweep-and-clear operations in
eastern Jolo. The AFP has suffered 22 killed and 103
wounded since the August 1 onset of "Operation Ultimatum."
According to AFP estimates, it has killed 31 terrorists and
wounded 21 others.


2. (C/REL AUS) A robust civil-military operations program is
a principal part of the AFP's Jolo campaign. On December 9,
the 2nd Philippine Marine Brigade and the 3rd Philippine
Marine Battalion Landing Team, backed up by U.S. Joint
Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) troops, conducted a
medical civic action program (MEDCAP) in the village of
Pitogo in the Kalingalang Caluang region of southeastern Jolo
-- an area of known ASG/JI activity. The joint MEDCAP, the
first in the area, treated 715 patients. In an unprompted
testimony of appreciation and support, members of the local
community hand-delivered lunch to each participating AFP
Marine and U.S. soldier.


3. (C/REL AUS) The mayor of Panlima Estimo, a strategic
village straddling the isthmus linking east and west Jolo,
has approached the AFP asking for engineering and other civic
action programs for his municipality, similar to those in
nearby Panamao. Brigadier General Raphael, the Task Force
Comet commander, told U.S. counterparts that he intends to
seize the opportunity and make Panlima Estimo "a poster
child" for civil-military operations. Winning the support of
the population would allow the AFP to control the area better
and effectively stop the ASG/JI from shuttling back and forth
from the eastern and western halves of the island.


4. (S/REL AUS) The Philippine Navy's maritime cordon, backed
up by U.S. intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
support, remains in force around Jolo, with over 4300
maritime interdictions since the beginning of "Operation
Ultimatum." Intelligence reports indicate that the blockade
has had a decided impact on ASG/JI operations. Recent
reporting suggests that the ASG/JI may try to attack some of
the vessels maintaining the cordon.

Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm
KENNEY