Philippine Export Controls Update

UNCLAS MANILA 001679 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/PMBS, EAP/EP, EB/IFD, EAP/EP DARCY ANDERSON AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR FOR PAM ZARESK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETTC PARM PREL KSTC RP SUBJECT: Philippine Export Controls Update REF. MANILA 00332 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Philippines has made notable progress towards creating an export control regime. Draft legislation regulating transfers of strategic goods has been introduced in both Houses of the Philippine Congress. In support of the legislation, the Embassy's Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) program sent thirteen Philippine officials to the United States to meet with U.S. export control officials. EXBS has also sponsored International Seaport Interdiction Training in Mindanao, an in-depth assessment of the Philippine strategic trade control situation, and donated equipment to Philippine Customs, the Coast Guard, and Port Authority. End summary. Proposed Legislation on Export Control -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In the months since EXBS funded a Legal-Regulatory Workshop in Manila in January 2009, the Philippines has made considerable progress towards creating its first comprehensive export control regime. A proposed bill known as the "Weapons of Mass Destruction Non-Proliferation and Strategic Goods and Items Act of 2009" was filed in May in both Houses of the Philippine Congress. Congressman Rodolfo W. Antonino introduced House Bill (HB) 6268 and Senator Manuel Villar introduced its counterpart Senate Bill (SB) ¶3268. The House bill was endorsed to the Public Order and Safety Committee and the Senate bill to the Public Order and Illegal Drugs Committee. The first committee hearing on HB 6268 was held in May. The Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational Crime Technical Working Group is currently polishing the proposed legislation. In July the Embassy's EXBS program provided export control training for 13 Philippine officials including congressman, staffers, industry executives, and custom officers in order to aid efforts to pass the new law. International Seaport Interdiction Training -------------- ¶3. (SBU) In March, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)team conducted week-long training in General Santos City in the southern Philippines for 25 customs and port police officers. The course focused on a wide range of seaport enforcement topics with emphasis on multi-layered enforcement. In addition to the formal lecture sessions, a visit to the port of General Santos was arranged for hands-on training in inspection of containers and practical exercises. The participants were appreciative and thought that the material presented would benefit them in their work. They requested more training on related topics, especially hands-on courses using inspection tools. Assessment of strategic trade control -------------- ¶4. (SBU) In May a team from the Center for International Trade and Security, University of Georgia, conducted a week-long assessment on the development of strategic trade controls in the Philippines. The team met key officers from relevant Philippine government agencies and toured the Manila International Airport and the Bureau of Customs. The preliminary assessment was that the Philippines is relatively advanced in the area of export controls as compared to other countries in the region, but there are many gaps that need to be addressed. The team is preparing a detailed report with recommendations to supplement future EXBS activities and tailor them to the specific needs of the Philippines. Equipment Donation -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Post delivered radiation detection and other export control-related equipment to Philippines Customs, Port Authority, and the Coast Guard in Manila last month. This equipment was recommended by an EXBS port enforcement assessment done in 2007. Additional equipment will be delivered to authorities in other Philippine cities in the near future. KENNEY