DEPARTMENT CLEARANCE FOR PHILIPPINES LEAHY VETTING REQUEST -

UNCLAS STATE 131254 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PINR PREL PTER KCRM SNAR MARR RP SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT CLEARANCE FOR PHILIPPINES LEAHY VETTING REQUEST - JUSMAG TEAK PISTON 09-1 REF: MANILA 2653 ¶1. (SBU) The Department of State reviewed its files and found that, as of this date, it possesses no credible information of gross violations of human rights for the units and commanders identified below. These units and commanders are candidates for a JUSMAG Teak Piston 09-1 Teak Piston 09-1, which starts March 2, 2009 and ends April 3, 2009 in the Philippines. ¶2. (U) Units and Commanders: Unit: 15th Strike Wing, Philippine Air Force Commander: COL Jose Tony E. Villarete; DOB: January 17, 1957; POB: Iloilo City, Philippines Unit: 16th Attack Squadron, Philippine Air Force Commander: CPT Charlie L. Tiu, Jr.; DOB: October 7, 1971; POB: Cagayan De Oro, Philippines Unit: 17th Attack Squadron, Philippine Air Force Commander: MAJ Joseph P. Archog; DOB: February 19, 1973; POB: Bontoc, Philippines Unit: 18th Attack Squadron, Philippine Air Force Commander: CPT John Omar S. Herrera; DOB: April 7, 1971; POB: Davao City, Philippines Unit: 20th Attack Squadron, Philippine Air Force Commander: CPT Ariel L. Ariola; DOB: February 15, 1973; POB: Batangas, Philippines Unit: 25th Composite Attack Squadron Commander: CPT Arnold P. Tapia; DOB: December 5, 1969; POB: Manila, Philippines Unit: 220th Airlift Wing, Philippine Air Force Commander: COL Rolando C. Hautea Jr.; DOB: December 30, 1955; POB: Negros Occidental, Philippines Unit: 222nd Airlift Squadron Commander: MAJ Donald A. Madarang; DOB: April 14, 1966; POB: Quezon City, Philippines Unit: 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, Philippine Air Force Commander: COL Lauro Catalino G. DeLa Cruz; DOB: April 30, 1958; POB: Pasay City, Philippines Unit: 210th Tactical Helicopter Squadron Commander: CAPT Margarito A. Austria; DOB: January 25, 1972; POB: Bohol, Philippines Unit: 710th Special Operations Wing, Philippine Air Force Commander: BG Jesus A. Fajardo; DOB: January 9, 1956; POB: Pangasinan, Philippines Unit: 770th Special Operations Combat Support Group Commander: MAJ Emmanuel S. Bello; DOB: March 26, 1966; POB: Basilan, Philippines Unit: 771st Special Operations Training Squadron Commander: 2LT Jesse Glenn A. Gagaracruz; DOB: December 26, 1982; POB: Negros Oriental, Philippines Unit: 600 Airbase Wing, Philippine Air Force Commander: COL Francisco M. Cuz; DOB: June 8, 1957; POB: Bataan, Philippines ¶3. (U) Post may provide the following statement to authorized parties: Embassy verifies that the Department of State possesses no credible information of gross violations of human rights by the units and commanders identified in paragraph 2 above, as of this date. Post may cite this cable in response. ¶4. (U) If, in the future, post becomes aware of possible human rights violations by the units and commanders listed above, post should inform the Department and not proceed with training. ¶5. (U) POC for this action is Jameson DeBose: -Email: DeBoseJL@state.gov -Phone: 202-647-2989 RICE