DCM'S VISIT TO STRATEGIC PALAWAN PROFILES RANGE OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 000691 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR EAP/MTS PASS TO PEACE CORPS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS PINS PTER RP SUBJECT: DCM'S VISIT TO STRATEGIC PALAWAN PROFILES RANGE OF U.S. ASSISTANCE ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The DCM's March 3-4 visit to Palawan, a island province stretching to Malaysia, showcased a wide range of U.S. activities, including construction of a new schoolhouse by U.S. and Philippine militaries on a remote island prone to terrorist recruitment; Peace Corps engagement; USAID environmental programs; and a new initiative to dramatically improve the capability of Philippine maritime police. Local elected officials, the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Armed Forces all welcomed growing U.S. assistance in this strategic province. During media interviews that received wide regional coverage, the DCM reinforced the U.S. commitment to help communities throughout the Philippines achieve better governance, public security, and prosperity. END SUMMARY. PALAWAN: THE PHILIPPINES' LAST FRONTIER -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Palawan is the Philippines' largest province in land area and has a population of approximately 800,000. With its pristine waters and lush forests, Palawan has been called the Philippines' "last frontier" and is renowned for its physical beauty. International organizations have recognized its environmental significance, designating two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the province. With a young and fast growing population, large mineral reserves, and a growing tourism sector, balancing economic growth with environmental protection is a priority for its political leadership and residents. LOCAL LEADERSHIP LAUDS BALABAC BALIKATAN PROJECT -------------- --- ¶3. (SBU) On March 3, the DCM made a trip to the island of Balabac at the southern tip of Palawan Province to inaugurate a school building constructed during the annual Balikatan joint U.S.-Philippine military exercise, which took place February 14 to March 3. Balabac is home to a population of 35,000 and is one of the most remote areas of the Philippines, with no airport, bridges, or regular ferry service connecting the island to the rest of Palawan. The majority of the residents are Muslim, many of whom have fled fighting in other parts of the southern Philippines over the years. Balabac's economy is based on trade with neighboring Malaysia and the nearby Balabac Strait is a key waterway for smugglers and illegal trafficking of all types, as well as significant legitimate shipping. Its strategic location was what made the Philippine government select Balabac as the site for a radar station under the Coast Watch South network, designed to boost maritime security in the southern Philippines. The U.S. is assisting in this initiative with funding for radar stations and other assets. Balikatan planners recognized the strategic value of conducting humanitarian operations in this isolated location and used the unique amphibious capabilities of the U.S. 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to deliver supplies and personnel to the island via air cushion landing craft and helicopter. ¶4. (SBU) The Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the sailors of the USS HARPERS FERRY worked closely with their Philippine counterparts and the local political leadership to provide medical services to over 2,500 Balabac residents and build a new building for the high school. The admiral in charge of the Philippine Western Command in Puerto Princesa, along with 31st MEU Commander Colonel John Mayer, attended the inauguration of the new schoolhouse, during which the DCM and the Balabac mayor spoke to over 300 children and residents. The DCM emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Philippine partnership, noting that medical outreach and the school construction project were a "visible reminder of what our militaries can do when they work together." The Balabac mayor was effusive in his praise for U.S. troops, marveling at how they worked through days of constant rain and into the evening hours to finish the project in just six days. The mayor gave a moving speech, during which he asked for blessings on the American people, hoped that this would not be the last time they would see U.S. troops, and looked forward to a strong relationship with the United States in the future. After the ceremony concluded, the commander of the HARPERS FERRY invited the DCM and the mayor aboard for a tour. Addressing the entire crew of the ship, the mayor again thanked them for their hard work and assistance, praising their professionalism. MANILA 00000691 002 OF 002 ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL AND POLICE CONCERNS -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The DCM returned to Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan, for a series of meetings focusing on non-military assistance that included U.S. Peace Corps volunteers, environmental activists working with USAID, and funding for a new Philippine Maritime Police Unit to be based in Puerto Princesa. Peace Corps volunteers are active in northern Palawan and the Puerto Princesa area, helping local communities with education (English and information technology),stewardship of natural resources, and youth programs. USAID is funding programs that train marine park rangers in the Tubbataha Reef area, one of the UNESCO sites, and has several other environmental projects that are helping government promote effective conservation programs. One of the goals of these programs is to help Philippine authorities address a key concern of environmental activists -- exploitation of Palawan's fishing grounds by foreign commercial vessels that bribe poorly paid officials to ignore catches outside the legal limit. U.S. BOLSTERING MARITIME SECURITY -------------- ¶6. (SBU) To strengthen the Philippine maritime security capability, a U.S. interagency project will help establish a Philippine Maritime Police Unit in Puerto Princesa. The program will provide five or six high-speed patrol boats, train and equip 100 Maritime Police personnel, and build a headquarters building for the unit in Puerto Princesa. Philippine officials have begun basic training of police personnel, a U.S. adviser is arriving in March, and construction of the headquarters building by JIATF-West is expected to commence this summer. The Puerto Princesa mayor as well as leaders of the Philippine Provincial and Regional Police and Philippine Armed Forces Western Command (WESCOM), voiced their strong support for the program. While describing a productive working relationship between military and police, WESCOM commander Admiral Borromeo welcomed the establishment of an effective Maritime Police Unit, which he said would help relieve his command of law enforcement duties. ¶7. (SBU) In his meeting with the DCM, Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn talked proudly of the city's low crime rate and stressed the importance of security in building Palawan's tourism industry. He cited the location of the Maritime Police Unit headquarters as one of the reasons the city had been anxious to get the project underway -- the unit will be located at the pier from which tourists embark for many of Palawan's resorts, a fact the mayor said could only help boost the confidence of travelers coming to Palawan for a safe vacation. Hagedorn committed to personally overseeing the reclamation of land donated by the city for the site headquarters and assured the DCM the project would stay on schedule. COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (SBU) USG engagement is steadily increasing in Palawan through a broad range of projects, and the warm reception the DCM received during his trip showed that the people and leadership of the province are comfortable with our growing interaction. Straddling strategic sea lanes and encompassing part of the disputed Spratly Islands, Palawan province presents an opportunity for integrated U.S. assistance, where we can give equal value to security, promoting U.S. values in a diverse population (including Muslim communities who have frequent contact with Malaysia),protecting the environment, and developing sustainable economic options. As we move forward with planning for future assistance, we will study how to build on our positive experiences and how we can utilize the specialized abilities of units such as the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit during military exercises to reach remote and underserved populations with humanitarian projects. JONES