Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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07MANILA1930 | 2007-06-08 10:00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Manila |
VZCZCXRO9577 OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHML #1930/01 1591000 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 081000Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY MANILA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6904 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAWJA/DOJ WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE |
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 001930 |
1. (U) Summary. In a June 7 Rewards for Justice ceremony on Jolo Island, Ambassador awarded four Filipino citizens their shares of a total US$10 million reward for providing information that led to the successful Philippine military operations against the top two leaders of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group -- Khadaffy Janjalani and Abu Solaiman. This is the largest rewards payment to date in the Philippines. Both Janjalani and Abu Solaiman had been under U.S. indictment for their role in the kidnappings of American citizens Gracia and Martin Burnham, Guillermo Sobero, and Jeffrey Schilling, and Martin Burnham's and Guillermo Sobero's subsequent deaths. Rewards for Justice works in the Philippines. We are even more hopeful now that this example will encourage others to step forward with critical information that can bring other wanted terrorists to justice. End Summary. "WHO'S WHO" OF COUNTERTERRORISM PARTNERS PRESENT -------------------------- --- 2. (U) Ambassador presided over a triumphant ceremony in Jolo City of Sulu province on June 7 to present four brave Filipinos their shares of two US$5 million rewards for information leading to the deaths of ASG leaders Khaddafy Janjalani and Abu Solaiman. Joining Ambassador weres Acting Assistant Secretary for Political/Military Affairs Stephen Mull and a virtual "who's who" of our Philippine government counterterrorism partners: Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon; National Security Advisor Norberto Gonzales; Governor Benjamin Loong, the outgoing Sulu governor; Undersecretary of National Defense Ricardo Blancaflor; Assistant Director Alfredo Billones, the Acting Head of the Philippine National Police; Deputy National Security Advisor Pedro Cabuay; Major General Delfin Bangit, the chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; and, Director General Cesar Garcia of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency. Additionally, General Esperon brought in the entire leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on board a C-130 to witness the event. 3. (U) Curious residents came out of their homes and children waved from the sidewalk as the official motorcade traveled to the Jolo City Hall of Justice. During the ceremony, the Hall of Justice remained open for business and numerous locals were present as each of the informants received a briefcase filled with millions of Philippine pesos. 4. (U) In her remarks, the Ambassador praised the Philippine-American counterterrorism partnership, saying she was "proud to give $10 million" and would be happy to give another $10 million to bring the terrorists who are still at large to justice. 5. (U) General Esperon crossed out photos of the eliminated terrorists and pointed to those still at large as the next targets to get crossed off the wanted list. General Esperon highly praised the event and expressed optimism that it would lead to further counterterrorism successes, pledging that the hunt for the remaining terrorists will continue until "we have crushed them." 6. (U) Governor Loong expressed gratitude to the Ambassador for "always finding time to come to Sulu," and stated that the people of Sulu are "fed up" with crime and terror. Governor Loong also noted the importance of "valuing farms rather than guns," referring to the connection among agriculture, economic development, and the prevention of crime and terrorism. 7. (U) Local, national, and international media gave extensive and highly positive coverage of the event and the Rewards for Justice program. Media exposure included live coverage on the government-owned Radyo Ng Bayan, which broadcasts throughout the Sulu Province, our key target audience now for the remaining High Value Targets at large. Members of the U.S. Military Information Support Team passed out flyers featuring images of wanted terrorists, and distributed a large amount of information material to local residents during and after the ceremony. COMMENT -------------------------- 8. (SBU) Rewards for Justice works in the Philippines. It was a powerful tool in the concerted effort by the AFP and others to end MANILA 00001930 002 OF 002 the terrorist careers of Janjalani and Abu Solaiman. We are even more hopeful now that the example of the four individuals we rewarded on June 7 will encourage others to step forward with critical information that can bring the two Bali bombers Dulmatin and Umar Patek, Jemaah Islamiyah financier Zulkifli bin Hir (AKA Marwan), and others to justice. KENNEY |