MEASURED MILITARY RESPONSE HELPING TO PRESERVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002828 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: 08/18/2017 TAGS: PTER MOPS PINS RP SUBJECT: MEASURED MILITARY RESPONSE HELPING TO PRESERVE PEACE EFFORTS REF: A. MANILA 2733 ¶B. MANILA 2732 ¶C. MANILA 2714 ¶D. MANILA 2688 Classified By: Charge Paul W. Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. While the Philippine armed forces continue efforts to track down Abu Sayyaf terrorists on Basilan and Jolo, operations are being kept limited and focused in an effort to fulfill President Arroyo's directives to contain casualties and preserve two key peace processes. Despite high levels of tension on the two islands, few armed encounters have actually occurred since the July 10 beheadings and August 9 ambush that left a total of 40 Philippine soldiers dead. Vice chief of general staff Romero told visiting SFRC staffer Keith Luse that the military is targeting individuals, not organizations. Meanwhile, the government is pressing forward with plans to resume peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Aug. 22 in Kuala Lumpur, convene a tripartite review of the peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF),and accelerate economic development initiatives. These more nuanced actions by the government and military -- and the more restrained response by Muslim insurgent groups -- suggest a clear understanding on both sides of the harm that major military operations would pose to Mindanao's difficult security and economic situation. At the same time, the military is conducting aggressive pursuit operations on the island of Jolo against high-value terrorists, many of whom dispersed after military operations began August 13. End Summary. -------------- Preserving Peace Processes -------------- ¶2. (C) President Arroyo issued a six-point security directive to Philippine armed forces intended to balance the government's firm security response to the Abu Sayyaf Group with an effort to foster peace processes with the MILF and MNLF. Arroyo's General Order No. 7, shared with us by a senior official, contained the following points: --- Keep Basilan and Sulu operations firmly controlled to minimize civilian casualties and respect ceasefire guidelines in close consultation with the International Monitoring Team. --- Hold urgent talks with the MILF under Malaysian auspices to contain and resolve the Basilan/Sulu situation. (Note: Those talks are now slated for Aug. 22 in Kuala Lumpur. End note.) --- Brief the Organization of Islamic Conference Committee of Eight on Mindanao developments underlining limited military operations and continuing peace and development efforts. --- Harness the Bishops-Ulama Conference and other religious and civil society groups for peace efforts, with other national leaders joining them in prayers and a peace rally in Mindanao. --- Accelerate development initiatives in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, especially high-profile public works and social programs, including health, housing, jobs and Muslim education. --- Hold the first peace and security assembly in Bohol to demonstrate the government's resolve to achieve peace. -------------- National Security Council Brief -------------- ¶3. (C) During an August 14 National Security Council (NSC) meeting in Malacanang Palace, Arroyo briefed the directives to top security officials and legislators, including new Defense Secretary Teodoro, Armed Forces chief Esperon, National police chief Calderon, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Senate President Villar, and local leaders from Basilan and Sulu. Arroyo appealed for setting aside "selfish politicking" to ensure lasting peace in Mindanao. (Note: Some senators, including former armed forces head Rodolfo Biazon, have announced plans to launch probes of the July 10 MANILA 00002828 002 OF 002 Basilan incident and the August 9 ambushes on Jolo. End Note.) ¶4. (SBU) Following the NSC meeting, a presidential spokesman told the press that the government was preparing for the resumption of MILF peace talks in Malaysia, and the tripartite review of the nearly 11-year-old MNLF peace agreement. "There is broad support for the President's affirmation of the prime importance of preserving the ceasefire and advancing the peace process," the spokesman said. -------------- Gun Ban Announced -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Meanwhile, in an effort to minimize the chance for clashes, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Esperon announced a gun ban on Basilan and Sulu August 14. "It is easier to distinguish among combatants when there is a gun ban. When you do not abide by the gun ban, then you could be considered the enemy," commented Esperon. The ban covers civilians, and, ostensibly, members of paramilitary "civilian volunteer organizations" often associated with local politicians, in addition to MILF and MNLF members who leave their camps or controlled areas in possession of firearms. -------------- Military Ops: Limited and Focused -------------- ¶6. (C) Task Force Comet on Jolo continues to conduct aggressive, focused pursuit operations against terrorists who dispersed after initial military assaults on their locations beginning August 13. The military now holds key terrorist sanctuaries in Eastern Jolo, reducing the ability of terrorists to operate freely. Sources indicate Abu Sayyaf terrorists may be running low on ammunition. On Basilan, in contrast, the military is holding positions and supporting local police serving arrest warrants for the beheadings on July 10. Despite the high level of tension, very few armed encounters have occurred. The only armed clash on Basilan following the July 10 beheadings was on August 6; no casualties were reported. On Jolo, there has been only one armed encounter since the August 9 killing of 25 Philippine soldiers. ¶7. (C) All high-value targets on Jolo have dispersed as sweep operations by Marine and Army forces continue in the Maimbung and Patikul areas. Still unconfirmed are press reports that Abu Sayyaf Group leader Umbra Jumdail (a.k.a. Dr. Abu) and Jemaah Islamiyah member Dulmatin were wounded in armed encounters with the Philippine military. -------------- Briefing Scheduled on MILF Peace Talks -------------- ¶8. (C) President Arroyo and the Cabinet Security Cluster are scheduled to receive a briefing Aug. 17 from the Office of the Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process. The key issue to be discussed will be the government's proposal on territory to be included in as-yet undefined Muslim self-governing region, a key topic when MILF peace talks resume Aug. 22, said Sullivan. Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website: 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