DESPITE PRESSURE AND PROVOCATION, ARMED FORCES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MANILA 002688 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MTS USPACOM ALSO FOR J5 SECDEF/OSD/ISA/AP TOOLAN/REDMAN JOINT STAFF J5 (WILKES/ROBINSON/COLEMAN) E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2017 TAGS: PTER MOPS PINS RP SUBJECT: DESPITE PRESSURE AND PROVOCATION, ARMED FORCES EXERCISE RESTRAINT ON BASILAN REF: A. MANILA 2629 ¶B. MANILA 2575 ¶C. MANILA 2503 ¶D. MANILA 2474 ¶E. MANILA 2428 ¶F. MANILA 2369 ¶G. MANILA 2358 ¶H. MANILA 2344 Classified By: Classified by: Charge Paul W. Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. Despite provocations on its soldiers and significant pressure from media and some political leaders to avenge the July 10 beheadings of ten marines on Basilan island, the Armed Forces is exercising restraint to prevent a wider war, thereby derailing the peace process. Chief of Staff General Esperon told Ambassador August 7 that the military is well deployed on Basilan, but will refrain from significant operations until after the intentions of Muslim insurgents become clearer at the next round of peace talks in Kuala Lumpur August 22. In the meantime, the military will continue to back up police forces attempting to serve warrants on the perpetrators of the beheadings. Esperon is currently planning civil-military operations, medical missions, and small infrastructure projects to bolster efforts by provincial and local government units, donors and non-governmental organizations to relieve the suffering of thousands of displaced persons and ultimately advance the peace process on the island. He was very appreciative of U.S. support for these activities. End Summary. -------------- Philippine Marines on Basilan -------------- ¶2. (C) During Ambassador's August 7 meeting with Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics Rear Admiral Ludovico F. Franco, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans Major General Gilbert S. Llanto, Ambassador commended the Philippine Marines for exercising maximum restraint on Basilan, and expressed hope that the July 10 ambush and beheadings would not damage prospects for Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace talks now slated for August 22. Esperon described the Philippine Marines deployed to Basilan as disciplined, ready for action, and under clear orders not to initiate an armed conflict. Morale among the troops was "high," commented Esperon, as he highlighted his plans for civil-military operations, medical missions, and small infrastructure projects to advance the peace process on the island. He expressed appreciation for USAID and U.S. military support for medical missions and civil-military projects on Basilan. ¶3. (C) Esperon said the Philippine Marines were well aware of the media and public's intense interest in their activities, and remained determined not to be provoked into a widening war by those that wanted to derail the peace process. While acknowledging an August 6 incident in Tipo Tipo during which a Philippine Marine patrol was fired upon, Esperon expressed annoyance with the press for labeling the brief encounter as an "all out war." -------------- Pressure From All Sides -------------- ¶4. (C) Esperon said he was under pressure from competing constituencies over the July 10 incident in Basilan, which some had characterized as placing the honor of the Philippine Marines at stake. While "hawks" wanted his resignation for not retaliating against those responsible for the ambush and beheadings, "ultra rightists" pressed for the elimination of Muslim separatist groups. On the "left," said Esperon, were those protecting the human rights of the perpetrators of the beheadings. -------------- Peace Talks Next -------------- ¶5. (C) Esperon said Philippine military actions on Basilan would remain on hold until the results of upcoming peace MANILA 00002688 002 OF 003 talks with the MILF were known. According to Esperon, progress in the next round of peace talks hinged upon the MILF's seriousness and determination to reach an agreement. "If the MILF is not serious about the peace process, we are prepared to launch a war they cannot win," commented Esperon. ¶6. (C) After praising Malaysia for facilitating the MILF peace talks, Esperon optimistically noted that "if President Ramos could get a peace deal with the Moro National Liberation Front, we could get one with the MILF." Esperon expressed concern, however, over parties intent on scuttling the peace process, including factions within the MILF, some Mindanao-based Christians, and "some in Manila." -------------- Military Posture -------------- ¶7. (C) Outlining his military posture on Mindanao, Esperon said military forces on Basilan were designed to stabilize the situation and focus on the Abu Sayyaf terrorists if MILF peace talks proceed well. In Jolo, aggressive operations against terrorist targets would continue. In central Mindanao, the military was positioned to protect vital power transmission towers and other key infrastructure installations against MILF attack. (Note: While the situation on Basilan remains relatively stable, armed encounters continue on Jolo, with ten AFP soldiers killed August 9 in an ambush carried out by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants. End note.) -------------- Focus on Abu Sayyaf -------------- ¶8. (C) Esperon underscored his readiness to focus military operations against the ASG on Basilan. However, he added that much would depend on the outcome of forthcoming MILF peace talks. ¶9. (C) The ASG has a greater presence on Basilan than previously believed, said Esperon, while observing that the withdrawal of Philippine military forces from the island years ago may have been premature. Esperon also acknowledged the difficulties in distinguishing ASG from MNLF and MILF members on Basilan due to their family and blood ties, and the consequent challenges this would pose for the planning of military operations. -------------- Humanitarian Assistance Underway -------------- ¶10. (SBU) While Philippine military operations remain on hold, humanitarian assistance is underway for thousands of displaced persons from Tipo Tipo and Al-Barka. According to Basilan Provincial Administrator Nur Talib, some 1,200 families from seven barangays in Al-Barka municipality are currently housed with relatives in unaffected barangays. Many of the displaced persons are receiving food and medicine from local government units and the Department of Welfare and Social Development. To avoid a disruption in educational services, government officials are not allowing classrooms to be used as evacuation centers. ¶11. (SBU) A disaster and preparedness coordinating team organized by USAID's Project Shield staff, the Basilan Provincial Health Office, local government units, and other groups is conducting rapid health assessments of displaced persons to avert outbreaks of disease. The team has tapped external support for food, household supplies, and potable water. Medicines are being supplied by USAID Project Shield, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao Department of Health, Christian Children's Fund, Isabela Foundation, and Ateneo de Zamboanga Peace Institute. ¶12. (SBU) President Arroyo has also dispatched three teams composed of four doctors, six nurses, and 10 medical aides from the Armed Forces Medical center to Basilan. In a stern warning to those who may intend to attack this 20-member humanitarian mission, Arroyo said "harm them and Hades will come to you." Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website: MANILA 00002688 003 OF 003 http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/ JONES