DEPARTMENT CLEARANCE FOR PHILIPPINES LEAHY VETTING REQUEST -

UNCLAS STATE 008684 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PINR PREL PTER KCRM SNAR MARR RP SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT CLEARANCE FOR PHILIPPINES LEAHY VETTING REQUEST - LANTERN PISTON 09-2 REF: MANILA 136 ¶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 to participate in Lantern Piston 09-2 from April 17, 2009 through May 9, 2009. ¶2. (U) Units and Commanders: Unit: Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 Commander: LTCOL Charlton M. Gaerlan, DOB: October 16, 1967; POB: Baguio City, Philippines Unit: Marine Battalion Landing Team 6 Commander: LTCOL Jimmy D. Larida, DOB: March 12, 1969; POB: Iloilo City, Philippines Unit: Marine Battalion Landing Team 5 Commander: LTCOL Ferdinand D. Fraginal, DOB: December 8, 1965; POB: Pasay City, Philippines Unit: Marine Battalion Landing Team 4 Commander: LTCOL Ariel R. Caculitan, DOB: February 21, 1966; POB: Laguna, Philippines Unit: Marine Battalion Landing Team 11 Commander: LTCOL Jesulito H. Calimag, DOB: April 1, 1960; POB: Quezon City, Philippines Unit: 2nd Brigade, Philippine Marine Commander: COL Celestino C. Pereyra, DOB: May 19, 1958; POB: Laguna, 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 CLINTON