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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01MANILA6761 |
MISUARI TO USG "I'M NO TERRORIST" [...] (C) SUMMARY: NUR MISUARI HAS DECIDED TO REVERT BACK TO HIS ARMED SEPARATIST WAYS, BUT HAS SENT A CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE UNITED STATES CLAIMING THAT HE WILL NEVER BE A TERRORIST AND HAS NOT ALLIED HIS FORCES WITH THOSE OF THE ABU SAYYAF GROUP (ASG). A MISUARI EMISSARY HAS TOLD EMBASSY MANILA HE I [...] |
2001-11-21 11:56:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS MOPS PREL KISL PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA1056 |
FURTHER PROGRESS IN COUNTERTERRORISM SCENARIO [...] (C) SUMMARY. The second in a series of USG-GRP staff talks on the development of counterterrorism cooperation scenarios produced progress, with a notable "climate change" on the RP side in the wake of the February 14 terrorist bombings in Manila and Mindanao. The two sides reached consensus [...] |
2005-03-07 06:46:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS MARR PREL PTER RP |
| 05MANILA1059 |
DEFENSE SECRETARY FOCUSED ON PDR AND [...] (C) SUMMARY. Defense Secretary Cruz has made Philippine Defense Reform (PDR) the centerpiece of his tenure, and is also focused on ending the country's multiple insurgencies within the first six years of the 18-year PDR program. His new approaches include the "500 barangay" program, which wi [...] |
2005-03-07 08:13:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR PINS PTER AS NZ JA RP |
| 05MANILA106 |
MADRASAH TEACHER TRAINING PROJECT UNDERWAY IN THE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: A $400,000 DRL-sponsored "Madrasah Teacher Training Project" is now underway in the Philippines to train 28 madrasah educators in U.S. educational practices and values. Upon their return to the Philippines, they are expected to share what they learned via specified local proj [...] |
2005-01-10 06:11:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PTER SOCI RP |
| 05MANILA1061 |
RECRUITMENT COMPANIES AND TRAFFICKING [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: Recruiting Filipinos to work abroad is an important national industry in the Philippines. The GRP regulates and licenses recruitment companies through the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency [...] |
2005-03-07 08:31:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KWMN PHUM KCRM KCOR ELAB ECON RP |
| 05MANILA1098 |
MARAWI CITY: ISLAMIC PRIDE IN THE TROUBLED SOUTH [...] (U) Summary. Marawi, the capital of Lanao del Sur Province in Central Mindanao, is officially an "Islamic city" under municipal law, the only such city in the Philippines. The city of 125,000 is 96-percent Muslim. The main campus of Mindanao State University, located in Marawi, is a nonethe [...] |
2005-03-09 09:23:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KISL PINS KCRM SNAR SA RP |
| 05MANILA1199 |
PNP STORMS PRISON ENDING ASG TAKEOVER [...] (SBU) Philippine National Police (PNP) anti-terrorist and SWAT forces stormed the Metro Manila District Jail at 9:15 a.m. (local time) on March 15 after a negotiated agreement with Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) inmates broke down late the previous evening. PNP National Capital Region Director Aveli [...] |
2005-03-15 06:39:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER CASC KCRM PREL RP |
| 05MANILA1257 |
ROMULO'S CHINA TRIP FIXES DATES FOR PRESIDENT HU [...] (C) According to Department of Foreign Affairs China Director Maria Theresa Almojuela, the main purpose of Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo,s February 28-March 2 visit to SIPDIS China was to fix the timing for President Hu Jintao,s state visit to the Philippines, which is now set for April [...] |
2005-03-17 08:23:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR MOPS CH RP |
| 05MANILA1258 |
RP-JAPAN POLITICAL SECURITY TALKS [...] (C) SUMMARY. The first-ever Philippine-Japanese political security talks allowed both sides to exchange views on China, North Korea, terrorism, and other issues. While few concrete results emerged from the one-day discussions, they did establish the framework for a continuing and developing [...] |
2005-03-17 08:43:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR PREL MOPS JA RP |
| 05MANILA129 |
CEBU MAYOR IMPLICATED IN SERIES OF VIGILANTE-STYLE [...] (C) SUMMARY: There have been 14 vigilante-style killings recently in Cebu. Critics have implicated Cebu Mayor Tommy Osmena in the slayings based on his decision to create a special police squad to hunt down criminals. Cardinal Vidal, local congressmen, Cebu's Vice Mayor, and human rights gr [...] |
2005-01-11 04:48:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINS RP |
| 05MANILA1348 |
THIRD COUNTERTERRORISM STAFF TALKS SET STAGE FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY. The third in a series of counterterrorism scenario staff talks clarified the parameters of possible enhanced US-Philippine cooperation, setting the stage for a tentatively scheduled flag officer-level seminar in May that will examine the key issues for key decision makers, especi [...] |
2005-03-23 07:17:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS MARR PTER RP |
| 05MANILA1350 |
PHILIPPINES ANNOUNCES ARREST OF INDONESIAN JI [...] (SBU) The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced at a March 22 press conference its units had captured Rohmat (aka Zaki aka Zaky aka Hamdan aka Akil aka Jeji), an Indonesian suspected of serving as a Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) liaison to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). According to the AFP, [...] |
2005-03-23 08:30:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PREL ASEC PINS RP |
| 05MANILA1401 |
LEFTISTS CLAIM SYSTEMATIC CAMPAIGN TO KILL PARTY [...] (C) Summary: Gunmen have already killed up to eighteen members of leftist front groups including Bayan Muna -- a political party closely associated with the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army (CPP/NPA) -- since the beginning of 2005. Leftist leaders have claimed that there [...] |
2005-03-29 08:03:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINS PINR SOCI KPAO RP |
| 05MANILA1451 |
TERRORIST NPA STEPS UP ANTI US THREATS ON ITS 36TH [...] (C) Summary. The Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army (CPP/NPA), designated by the US as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2002, has increased its level of rhetoric against the USG and the GRP. While the themes of the CPP/NPA's public statements remain focused against US m [...] |
2005-03-30 08:50:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PINS RP |
| 05MANILA1452 |
SUPREME COURT REJECTS WIDOW'S EFFORT TO TAKE OVER [...] (C) Summary: The Supreme Court, sitting as the "Presidential Electoral Tribunal," ruled on March 29 that Susan Roces, the widow of Fernando Poe, Jr., could not take over Poe's challenge to the May 2004 election of President Arroyo. There has been little reaction from Malacanang or the oppos [...] |
2005-03-30 09:05:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA1456 |
GRP GEARS UP FOR MILF TALKS, POSSIBLE DESIGNATION [...] (C) Summary. The next GRP/MILF talks will take place in Kuala Lumpur April 16-18. The GRP remains optimistic about a peace accord "this year," in part based on a recent friendly meeting in Maguindanao between the head of the GRP panel and MILF Chairman Murad that the Malaysians set up. Coo [...] |
2005-03-31 00:07:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PTER PREL RP PGOV |
| 05MANILA1506 |
LAW ENFORCEMENT CORRUPTION IN THE PHILIPPINES [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. The nexus of law enforcement corruption in the Philippines lies in four key areas: 1) bribery in recruitment and extortion in training; 2) ineffectual and politically manipulated Internal Affairs; 3) financial mismanagement; and, 4) procurement and resource mismanagement. PNP [...] |
2005-04-01 06:19:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PINS KCRM KCOR KJUS ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA1507 |
CAPTURE OF ARAB TERRORIST [...] (U) In a March 31 press conference at Edwin Andrews Air Base in the southern Mindanao city of Zamboanga, Philippine security officials presented to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (PGMA) and the media a captured terrorist suspect, Kuwait-born Fawaz Zaki Ajjur, who had traveled on a Palestin [...] |
2005-04-01 06:31:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL ASEC PINS UP MY RP |
| 05MANILA1529 |
Preparations for August 8 ARMM elections [...] (SBU) Summary: Over 1.1 million people are registered for the August 8 election in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Election officials hope for the first time to use automated counting machines, originally purchased for the May 2004 nationwide elections but subsequently impou [...] |
2005-04-04 00:07:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM EAID SOCI RP |
| 05MANILA1543 |
Strong reaction to death of Pope John Paul II [...] (U) Summary: The Philippines has reacted with deep sorrow to news of the death of Pope John Paul II. President Arroyo announced an official mourning period that will last until the Pope's funeral, which she plans to attend. The Catholic Church will hold a requiem mass in honor of Pope John [...] |
2005-04-04 05:51:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL SOCI RP VT |
| 05MANILA1549 |
EMBASSY SPEAKERS' PROGRAM A BIG HIT WITH MINDANAO STATE [...] Summary. As part of the Embassy Speakers' Program, Assistant Information Officer Ruth Urry delivered two speeches to students at Mindanao State University and the Zaid Bin Thabit Qur'anic Center on March 17 in Marawi City, part of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). AIO Urry spok [...] |
2005-04-04 08:40:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO SCUL KIRC OPRC PHUM KWMN OIIP KISL PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA1594 |
ADMIRAL FALLON'S VISIT TO THE PHILIPPINES [...] (C) SUMMARY. President Arroyo told Admiral Fallon during his March 28-30 visit she intends to move Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) headquarters to Pagadian in order to take the fight closer to Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorists. National Defense Secretary Cruz's focus on [...] |
2005-04-06 07:35:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS MARR PTER PINS PREL RP |
| 05MANILA1595 |
LATEST KILLING OF JOURNALIST SPARKS OUTRAGE [...] (U) Summary: The shooting of a well-known journalist in Mindanao on March 24 marked what media organizations say is the fourth of a journalist this year and has sparked new public outrage. The House of Representatives plans a hearing and the Catholic Church has condemned the attack. The Ph [...] |
2005-04-06 08:09:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINS KCOR KPAO RP |
| 05MANILA1597 |
REQUEST FOR JIATF-WEST SUPPORT FOR DEA TRAINING [...] This is an action request. Please see paragraph 2. ------- SUMMARY ------- 2. (U) Action request -- DEA Manila Country Office, with support of the Mission's Law Enforcement Working Group, requests $5,000 in funding assistance from Joint Interagency Task Force-West (JIATF-W) to meet P [...] |
2005-04-06 08:51:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL SNAR KCRM MARR MASS PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA1614 |
FIGHTING THE GWOT IN THE PHILIPPINES [...] (S) Summary. Terrorism is a disturbingly ordinary, ongoing reality here. The southern Philippines lies along a strategic fault line in the global campaign against terrorism, with its porous borders, weak rule of law, long-standing and unaddressed grievances of Muslim minorities, and high [...] |
2005-04-07 07:26:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET | PTER PREL RP |
| 05MANILA1618 |
TIP UPDATE [...] (C) Summary: Mission has underscored to the GRP the possibility that the U.S. might place the Philippines on the TIP Tier 3 list due to lack of convictions and allegations of official corruption, among other reasons. We have repeatedly requested comprehensive statistics about prosecutions an [...] |
2005-04-07 08:30:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KWMN KCRM ELAB KCOR RP JA |
| 05MANILA1641 |
CORRUPTION UPDATE: PLUNDER CHARGES (AT LAST) [...] (C) Summary: The Ombudsman filed plunder charges on April 6 against Major General Carlos Garcia and his immediate family members, while his court martial continues. Neither case is expected to conclude soon, however. The GRP has also filed new charges against 21 officials in the Department [...] |
2005-04-08 08:12:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KCOR PREL MARR ECON RP |
| 05MANILA1700 |
SEEKING SUPPORT FOR THE U.S. NONPROLIFERATION [...] (U) Post on April 8 provided maritime and nonproliferation officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) Bureau of United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO) the non-paper (reftel) on the proposed amendments to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the [...] |
2005-04-13 07:21:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | EWWT KNNP MNUC PARM PHSA PREL RP |
| 05MANILA1716 |
BUILDING A BRIDGE ON TAWI-TAWI [...] (U) SUMMARY. Embassy believes the number one USPACOM FY05/FY06 humanitarian assistance objective in the Philippines should be the Tawi-Tawi bridge project. The project will have a strategic impact on the "rat-line" terrorists use to enter and leave the Philippines. Although much smaller in [...] |
2005-04-14 05:49:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER MOPS MARR PREL PINS EAID RP |
| 05MANILA1748 |
MILF AND ANCESTRAL DOMAIN: A TOUGH NUT TO CRACK [...] (C) Summary. The upcoming GRP-MILF "exploratory talks" will tackle what is arguably the most difficult and contentious aspect of the conflict in Mindanao -- ancestral domain and proprietary land claims. MILF interlocutors appear hopeful there is some prospect further to flesh out some of th [...] |
2005-04-15 09:25:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PTER PREL MY RP |
| 05MANILA1773 |
AFP NARROWLY MISSES JI/ASG TERRORIST TARGETS [...] (S) SUMMARY. Light reaction companies of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) narrowly missed capturing the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist Dulmatin and senior Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leaders Khaddafy Janjalani and Abu Solaiman during a tightly compartmented April 15-16 raid on the terrori [...] |
2005-04-18 08:59:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET | MOPS PTER MASS PREL PINS RP |
| 05MANILA1774 |
LATEST VIGILANTE KILLINGS IN CEBU - NO END IN SIGHT [...] (U) Summary: Summary executions of suspected criminals by "death squads" in Cebu are continuing at an alarming rate. According to media reports, suspected vigilantes have killed at least 41 people since December 2004. Civil society groups have condemned the extrajudicial killings, but much [...] |
2005-04-18 23:09:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PINR SOCI RP |
| 05MANILA1792 |
STREAMLINING TERRORISM PROSECUTIONS IN THE [...] (U) This is an action request -- please see paras 7-8. 2. (SBU) Summary. One of the key tasks facing the Philippines (GRP) in its struggle against terrorism is streamlining the currently excessive length and unwieldy number of defendants in terrorism trials. The Mission's Law Enforcemen [...] |
2005-04-19 08:51:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PREL PGOV PINS KCRM KJUS ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA1799 |
POSSIBLE VISIT OF DEPUTY SECRETARY ZOELLICK [...] (C) Mr. Secretary, we would warmly welcome your visit in May and hope that you can make it. Your visit would be timely. The GRP may be even less stable than it appears -- yet paradoxically, far more capable of deliberate, positive redirection and reform than is now obvious. The Philippines [...] |
2005-04-20 03:53:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL OVIP PTER RP |
| 05MANILA1808 |
The "Masa" as a Political Force [...] (SBU) Summary: The underprivileged and impoverished "masa" remains a potentially significant but largely unorganized political force. The once-influential Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) party of former President Estrada has claimed success in renewing the party's membership and effectivenes [...] |
2005-04-20 08:58:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM SOCI RP |
| 05MANILA1815 |
NEW TIP-RELATED ARRESTS AND PROSECUTION [...] (U) Summary. Four new TIP criminal cases are in the works, following a raid on a suspected brothel in what the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) described as a new series of TIP-related raids. The DoJ has issued unequivocal instructions to prosecutors to give "preferential attention" [...] |
2005-04-21 02:53:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KWMN KCRM RP |
| 05MANILA1817 |
GRP'S NSC GROPES FOR ANSWERS TO "ISLAMIST [...] (C). Summary and Comment: National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales provided Ambassador with a copy of a report he presented to the Philippine National Security Council on March 29 regarding Islamist extremism in the Philippines. Gonzales has asked us to treat it with due discretion but ha [...] |
2005-04-21 03:07:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER RP |
| 05MANILA1839 |
VAT PROPOSALS THREATHEN POWER SECTOR REFORMS [...] (U) Summary: Value Added Tax (VAT) proposals filed in both Houses of Congress contain provisions detrimental to the government's efforts to strengthen and restructure the power sector. In particular, replacing the current "zero rating" for power generating firms with a value added tax (VAT [...] |
2005-04-22 01:59:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG PGOV EAID RP |
| 05MANILA1840 |
Senate Passes Value Added Tax Bill [...] (U) Summary: The Philippine Senate approved on April 13 proposed amendments to the value-added tax law. Bicameral conference committee hearings are deliberating over the House and Senate proposals, with a reconciled bill targeted for signing by President Macapagal-Arroyo on April 30. The ex [...] |
2005-04-22 02:02:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA1847 |
BUILDING MOMENTUM BEHIND REWARDS FOR JUSTICE [...] (U) Action request: To build momentum behind the Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program in the Philippines (as recommended in ref a), we urge the inter-agency committee led by DS to publicize specific payout amounts and to adopt an expedited rewards approval process for the capture of the followin [...] |
2005-04-22 06:13:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER ASEC MOPS PREL PINS ID RP |
| 05MANILA1853 |
INTELLIGENCE COOPERATION AGREEMENT CAPS [...] (C) SUMMARY. President Musharraf's state visit produced a new counterterrorism cooperation agreement that will regularize and expand intelligence exchanges between Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence Directorate and the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Musharraf [...] |
2005-04-22 07:27:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER KISL PK IN RP |
| 05MANILA1857 |
LATEST GRP/MILF TALKS STEP UP MOMENTUM TOWARD PEACE [...] (C) Summary. The GRP is pleased by the April 18-20 GRP-MILF talks and views a peace accord as do-able by the end of 2005. The latest talks seemed to lead to a meeting of minds on how to define ancestral domain and set up a mechanism for delineating territory. The GRP believes that existin [...] |
2005-04-22 09:56:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINS RP MY |
| 05MANILA1889 |
SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF DEPUTY SECRETARY ZOELLICK [...] (U) Manila is our fourth largest post, with about 265 American employees and 1000 locally engaged staff. Our aim is to be the United States' best. The mission of our team of 26 USG agencies is to revitalize and carry to maturity the US-Philippine partnership and alliance by strengthening ou [...] |
2005-04-26 09:10:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL OVIP PTER EAID ECON MARR RP |
| 05MANILA1893 |
ARROYO ON ASEAN BURMA STRATEGY [...] (S) In a conversation on other subjects April 26, I urged President Arroyo to keep up her country's leadership on pressing Burma on democracy and human rights. Looking ahead to senior US-RP contacts in Manila and Washington, I suggested that this is one especially meaningful way that the RP [...] |
2005-04-26 23:42:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET | PREL PHUM PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA1897 |
COMBATING CHILD LABOR IN THE PHILIPPINES [...] (U) Two DOL-funded programs in the Philippines (as well as elsewhere in the region) are now focused on combating child labor. According to the GRP, over four million children are currently forced to work full time. Of these, 2.4 million are working in hazardous jobs such as mining, deep-sea [...] |
2005-04-27 01:05:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV ELAB PHUM ECON RP |
| 05MANILA1909 |
PROPOSED MOU FOR THE "MAPP" [...] (U) This is an action request -- see para 4. 2. (U) Noting that the Philippine National Police (PNP) -- at the instigation of Philippine Ambassador to Washington Del Rosario -- was now interested in pursuing a "Management Assessment of the Philippine Police" with the USG that would parall [...] |
2005-04-27 08:37:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KCRM SOCI KCOR PTER PGOV PINS ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA1954 |
CHINESE PRESIDENT HU JINTAO VISITS MANILA [...] (C) SUMMARY. The state visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao focused primarily on economic and trade issues, with apparently no discussion of improving military-to-military ties. Although Deputy Chief of the General Staff General Xiong Guang Kai plans a trip Manila in May, observers do not e [...] |
2005-04-29 08:31:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR PINR CH RP |
| 05MANILA1955 |
JOLO LOCALS WELCOME US ATTENTION [...] (SBU) Summary. Ambassador's April 22 visit to Jolo Town, the capital of Sulu Province, centered on handover ceremonies for several USAID-funded assistance programs including road projects, village electrification, and Internet-linked computers for an elementary school. USAID Manila Mission [...] |
2005-04-29 08:53:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PTER KISL PGOV PHUM PINS PREL MOPS RP |
| 05MANILA1960 |
PDR SHIFTING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION PHASE [...] (C) SUMMARY. Under the personal direction of Defense Secretary Cruz, Philippine Defense Reform (PDR) is moving to SIPDIS the implementation phase. The GRP has requested three additional US experts to complement the nine already in place to carry out an ambitious, but well thought through [...] |
2005-04-29 09:39:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS MARR PREL PINS MG ID AS RP |
| 05MANILA1961 |
COTABATO MAYOR PROTESTS USAID PROJECT SUSPENSION [...] (SBU) Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema has attempted to instigate a local media and public outcry against the US, and specifically USAID activities in his municipality. His agitation is in response to a letter from USAID Mission Director Yates, at the direction of Ambassador, informing the [...] |
2005-04-29 10:55:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER EAID KISL PINS ASEC CASC RP |
| 05MANILA1987 |
EMBRACING THE DRAGON: THE PHILIPPINES DEEPENS [...] (SBU) With the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao, the Philippines has taken stock of its expanding economic relationship with China and deepened its relationship with its dominant neighbor with respect to investment, trade and economic assistance. The glow of bilateral friendship encourage [...] |
2005-05-02 07:27:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON KIPR PREL RP |
| 05MANILA1988 |
MALACANANG DOWNPLAYS LATEST DESTABILIZATION PLOT [...] (C) Summary. Former Defense Secretary Fortunato Abat and other retired officials stirred fresh coup plot jitters on April 30 when they publicly called for a "revolutionary transition government" to replace the current administration. Malacanang downplayed the move, while the GRP continues to [...] |
2005-05-02 09:21:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PREL PINR ELAB RP |
| 05MANILA2014 |
PHILIPPINES EXPECT BURMA TO RELINQUISH ASEAN CHAIR [...] (C) In meeting with Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo on May 2, Ambassador urged the GRP -- and Romulo, personally -- to continue to work within ASEAN to push Burma toward democratic change and release of Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as other key roadmap goals, as Romulo had done at the ASEAN Fo [...] |
2005-05-03 06:40:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL BM RP ASEAN |
| 05MANILA2016 |
ENGAGING THE SAUDIS ON GWOT EFFORTS IN THE [...] (S/NF) In a meeting on May 2, Ambassador told Foreign Secretary Romulo of our concern about the role Saudi-based SIPDIS financiers appear to be playing in Mindanao by channeling money to terrorists linked to the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). He noted that there has [...] |
2005-05-03 06:58:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER EFIN PREL SA RP XC XF |
| 05MANILA2042 |
DEPORTATION OF SAUDI TERROR SUSPECT AT BEHEST OF [...] (S/NF) Summary. A new case of Saudi diplomatic interference, protection, and deportation of a suspected terrorist financier underscores the ambiguous role of official and unofficial Saudi nationals here in the Philippines. While the most recent case could serve as an opportunity for coopera [...] |
2005-05-04 08:54:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER EFIN PREL SA RP XC XF |
| 05MANILA2142 |
BISHOPS LASH OUT AT PRESIDENT ARROYO [...] (C) Summary: In a recent press conference, three left-leaning Catholic bishops accused President Arroyo of not doing enough to help the poor, and said they would participate in a "national day of mourning and protest" on June 12. Separately, in public testimony in the House on May 3, Archbi [...] |
2005-05-11 21:01:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS KCOR PHUM SOCI RP |
| 05MANILA2167 |
Bill Gives President VAT Increase Authority [...] (U) Summary: Congress ratified final language this week that keeps the value added tax (VAT) rate at 10% but mandates the President to raise the VAT rate to 12% in 2006. President Arroyo will sign the legislation next week and promised to approve the VAT hike in January. The bill eliminat [...] |
2005-05-12 05:41:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA2172 |
ENLISTED OAKWOOD MUTINEERS COP A PLEA [...] (SBU) Summary. On May 11, an Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) military tribunal accepted a plea bargain for about 190 enlisted men who participated in the failed July 2003 "Oakwood" mutiny. They will return to active duty status but with demotions and loss of pay. They will likely be [...] |
2005-05-12 08:14:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | AADP ASEC MOPS PGOV PINR PREL RP PINS PTER |
| 05MANILA2174 |
MORE ON HU JINTAO'S VISIT TO THE PHILIPPINES [...] (C) SUMMARY. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, PRC President Hu Jintao's state visit was a "normal" component of Beijing's outreach to the region. Visits by the PRC Vice Minister of Defense and Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army are on the agenda as part of the war [...] |
2005-05-12 23:08:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINR EPET ECON CH RP |
| 05MANILA219 |
TRADING A CHILD RAPIST FOR VOTES ON FISCAL [...] (C) Summary: Over 50 congressmen have signed "a letter of appeal" calling for President Arroyo to pardon former congressman Romeo Jalosjos, who has been in jail since 1997 for raping an 11 year old girl. President Arroyo is studying the request, apparently in a ploy to win votes for her leg [...] |
2005-01-13 08:21:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR RP |
| 05MANILA2200 |
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN COMBATING [...] (U) Summary: The Philippines has many top quality NGOs focused on trafficking in persons (TIP) and they enjoy a close working relationship with the Philippine government. Key NGOs making contributions in prosecution (a unique feature of Philippine law permits NGOs to press forward cases as p [...] |
2005-05-13 05:24:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL PGOV KWMN ELAB RP |
| 05MANILA2241 |
MORE JOURNALISTS SLAIN [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: Two more journalists have been slain in the Philippines in the past two weeks. This brings to five the number of killings of journalists this year, according to most sources. Police appear t [...] |
2005-05-16 07:08:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PINS KPAO RP |
| 05MANILA2242 |
MILF COMMANDER SAMIR DENIES LINKS TO JI, PLEDGES [...] (C) Summary. MILF Base Commander Hadji Samir Hashim, in a recent letter, has denied all links to Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), and pledged to locate, arrest, and turn over to authorities any JI operatives in his area of responsibility. Given what we believe to know about Samir's past connections wi [...] |
2005-05-16 07:54:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER RP |
| 05MANILA2277 |
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MAY 5 MEETING WITH [...] (U) May 5, 2005; 10:00 a.m.; Manila, the Philippines. 2. (C) Summary: President Arroyo underscored to the Deputy Secretary on May 5 that she considered the U.S. to be the SIPDIS Philippines' closest partner in dealing with security, economic and other issues. She confirmed that her go [...] |
2005-05-18 06:38:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER MARR ECON OVIP RP CH BM IZ SU ID |
| 05MANILA2278 |
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MAY 5, 2005 MEETING WITH [...] (U) May 5, 2005; 9:00 a.m.; Manila, the Philippines. 2. (C) SUMMARY. Anti-terrorism legislation will be on top of the Arroyo Administration's agenda once the Philippine Congress passes a value added tax. GRP officials told Deputy Secretary Zoellick they hope to rally support around an [...] |
2005-05-18 06:42:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER MARR MASS MCAP ECON ETRD EFIN KISL |
| 05MANILA2294 |
TIP: GRP WORKS TO STRENGTHEN PROSECUTIONS AS [...] (U) Summary: A committee of the Philippine Supreme Court is reportedly about to issue a new rule that would prohibit judges from dismissing cases based on a minor's unwillingness to testify. The rule aims to address the problem of victims recanting their testimony after being threatened or b [...] |
2005-05-19 05:03:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM KCRM KWMN RP |
| 05MANILA2332 |
GRP PREPARATIONS FOR THE AUGUST REGIONAL ELECTIONS [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: With just over two months to go until the August 8 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), there are indications that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) may not be able [...] |
2005-05-20 07:29:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PINR EAID PHUM RP |
| 05MANILA2335 |
DEFENSE SECRETARY MAKES STRONG PUBLIC CASE FOR PDR [...] (U) SUMMARY. In a major speech at the prestigious Manila Overseas Press Club, Secretary of National Defense Cruz made a strong public pitch for Philippine Defense Reform (PDR), saying it would allow the Philippines to defeat the multiple insurgencies and terrorist threats facing the country. [...] |
2005-05-20 08:05:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS MARR PREL PINS PTER CH RP |
| 05MANILA2356 |
ISLAMIC NGOS IN THE PHILIPPINES [...] (C) Summary. A variety of local and international charities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with Islamic connections operate in the Philippines but under increasing scrutiny. Police and immigration authorities have lamented the lack of resources and enforcement mechanisms to keep [...] |
2005-05-23 07:21:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER KISL EAID PINS PREL EFIN KTFN LY SA PK TH RP |
| 05MANILA2359 |
ILLEGAL "JUETENG" LOTTERY POTENTIALLY THREATENS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. The illegal lottery known as "jueteng" played a prominent role in the downfall of former President Estrada, and a newly brewing scandal related to jueteng could potentially have a similar impact on the Arroyo Administration. Despite Malacanang's vows to crack down on jueteng, [...] |
2005-05-23 07:42:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KCOR KCRM ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA2406 |
POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE PHILIPPINES [...] (C) Summary: Party organizations are relatively weak in the Philippines and are overshadowed by the influence of personalities. Parties tend to coalesce around popular political leaders during electoral campaigns due to the desire for patronage, but otherwise are underfunded, without clear [...] |
2005-05-26 05:47:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR SOCI RP |
| 05MANILA249 |
NORTH KOREAN REFUGEES IN THE PHILIPPINES [...] (U) North Koreans have access to the same international protection offered other refugee groups in the Philippines. The Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia to have signed the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees and to have an institutionalized regime of refugee protection. The Depar [...] |
2005-01-14 08:43:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PHUM KN KS RP |
| 05MANILA2555 |
CHILD PRISONERS HELD IN ADULT FACILITIES IN THE [...] (U) Summary: According to official and NGO sources, approximately 1,500 children are currently incarcerated among the adult inmate population in the Philippines. NGOs strongly advocate that the GRP work to segregate children from the general prison population. The GRP says it is trying to d [...] |
2005-06-01 06:55:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM KOCI SOCI ELAB RP |
| 05MANILA2559 |
MILF CONSULTATION: A FRESH MANDATE AND OPTIMISTIC [...] (SBU) The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) held a three-day public consultation on the outskirts of Cotabato City May 29-31 to renew its negotiating mandate before heading into the next round of peace talks with the GRP. GRP officials describe the event as "the largest show of mass appro [...] |
2005-06-01 07:13:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PTER PREL MOPS MY LY RP |
| 05MANILA2578 |
CORRUPTION UPDATE: "JUETENG"; GARCIA; ESTRADA [...] (C) Summary: Amid a recent swirl of allegations involving the first family, a witness at a May 30 Senate investigation of "jueteng" (illegal lottery games) accused the President's son, Congressman "Mikey" Arroyo, of receiving profits from the game. President Arroyo dismissed the accusations [...] |
2005-06-02 08:12:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR KCOR ECON RP |
| 05MANILA2590 |
STAYING ENGAGED WITH COUNTERTERRORISM COOPERATION [...] (S) SUMMARY. US counterterrorism assistance, ranging from operations/intelligence fusion support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to RMAS' involvement with the Philippine National Police (PNP), has helped the Philippines register some counterterrorism successes in 2004 and 2005. [...] |
2005-06-03 04:24:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PREL PINS ASEC MOPS PINR RP |
| 05MANILA2599 |
TIP: PHILIPPINES BRIEFED ON 2005 REPORT [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Acting Polcouns on June 3 reviewed the Philippine portion of the 2005 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report with Ruth Morales Prado, Executive Director of the Office of American Affairs at the Department o [...] |
2005-06-03 05:42:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM OPRC KPAO KWMN RP |
| 05MANILA2626 |
PALACE ASSERTS THAT OPPOSITION IS TRYING TO USE [...] (C) Summary: Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye publicly stated June 5 that Malacanang was worried that the opposition was trying to use an alleged tape of presidential conversations as part of a destabilization plot. Bunye also stated that the opposition claimed that the tape had come fr [...] |
2005-06-06 06:59:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KPAO PINR RP |
| 05MANILA2660 |
TIP: GRP BEGINNING TO FOCUS ON CYBERSEX DANGERS [...] (U) This cable is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: The Philippine government is slowly beginning to react to reports that cybersex is an increasing contributor to the trafficking in persons (TIP) problem in the Philippines. Most cybersex dens op [...] |
2005-06-08 08:06:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV KCRM ELAB KOCI TINT RP |
| 05MANILA2670 |
PHILIPPINES CORRUPTION: BUSINESS LEADERS [...] (C) Influential members of the Manila business community increasingly express concerns about how corruption is undermining the RP's economic outlook. According to long-time Embassy contact Washington Sycip, who is widely respected as among the top economic observers in the country, corruption [...] |
2005-06-09 05:32:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EINV EFIN PGOV BEXP KCOR RP |
| 05MANILA2675 |
MILF VALIDATING WANTED TERRORIST LIST FROM GRP [...] (SBU) Below is a list of 53 suspected militants provided to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) (a copy has been faxed to EAP/PMBS). MILF officials have publicly stated they are in the process of "validating" the list, and the names will form [...] |
2005-06-09 06:35:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PINR PINS ASEC PREL ID MY RP |
| 05MANILA2691 |
DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLING TO TACKLE TOUGH POLICY [...] (C) SUMMARY. Secretary of National Defense Cruz appears ready to explore three key policy questions in the US-RP defense relationship: combined rules of engagement; a legal framework for counterterrorism cooperation; and cooperative security locations. In doing so, his emphasis seems to be o [...] |
2005-06-10 04:35:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MOPS MCAP PREL PTER RP |
| 05MANILA271 |
FORMER PRESIDENT ESTRADA RETURNS TO THE [...] (C) Summary: Former president Joseph "Erap" Estrada returned to Manila on January 15 after undergoing knee surgery in Hong Kong. Despite concerns that there could be a confrontation between his supporters and authorities, Estrada's return was uneventful, with police whisking him off via hel [...] |
2005-01-18 09:39:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KCOR PREL ECON PINR RP |
| 05MANILA2712 |
SETBACK IN GARCIA GRAFT CASE [...] (C) Summary: The recent ruling in the corruption trial of former comptroller of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Garcia that his wife cannot be charged as a co-conspirator poses a serious threat to the prosecution's case. Though the prosecutors intend to appeal the ruling, [...] |
2005-06-14 03:30:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR KCOR ECON RP |
| 05MANILA2730 |
FIRMS PERCEIVE PERVASIVE [...] Summary: A recently released "Social Weather Station" survey indicated that Filipino business executives perceive a "very high" and "steady" level of corruption in public agencies and a "serious" level of corruption in the private sector. The survey will probably erode confidence among po [...] |
2005-06-14 07:33:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EINV EFIN PGOV BEXP KCOR RP |
| 05MANILA2731 |
PHILIPPINE POLITICS: ONE WEEKEND AT A TIME... [...] (C) Summary: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo survived the Independence Day weekend despite protests and calls for her ouster by members of the opposition. Privately, high-level Administration officials thanked the Charge for the USG's role in calming the waters; Charge reiterated that our [...] |
2005-06-14 08:35:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PREL PINR MOPS RP |
| 05MANILA2749 |
SAUDI FINANCE MINISTER TO VISIT MANILA; [...] (S/NF) Saudi Ambassador Wali has returned to Manila from what he characterized a "family" visit back to Riyadh (he said he escorted his mother and daughter here to Manila) and feigned surprise that our Embassy in Riyadh was engaged in a direct dialogue with his government about terrorist finan [...] |
2005-06-15 23:43:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER EFIN PREL KTFN RP SA |
| 05MANILA2757 |
TIP: PHILIPPINE REACTION TO THE RELEASE OF THE [...] (U) This cable is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: Local reaction to the Philippine narrative of the 2005 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report has been mixed, though basically positive. The media response -- aided by Mission's extensive outreach [...] |
2005-06-16 06:28:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KWMN ELAB PHUM RP |
| 05MANILA2777 |
ARROYO UNDER PRESSURE TO EXPLAIN TAPES [...] (C) Summary: The Philippine Congress is planning inquiries into an audiotape that the opposition says implicates President Arroyo in electoral fraud. Arroyo -- defending herself -- has condemned "irresponsible detractors" and her press secretary has announced that she has no plans to appear [...] |
2005-06-17 06:05:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS PINR RP |
| 05MANILA281 |
GRP AND MILF EXPECT TALKS SOON, WILL COOPERATE ON [...] (C) GRP and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) sources confirmed both sides are ready for another round of talks tentatively slated for the first week of February. The sides are prepared to discuss the nettlesome ancestral domain issue. The cease-fire remains strong despite the January 9 [...] |
2005-01-19 08:57:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PTER PREL MOPS MY RP |
| 05MANILA2815 |
CARDINAL SIN DIES AT AGE 76 [...] (U) Retired Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin died of multiple organ failure at a hospital in greater Manila at 6:15 AM on June 21. Cardinal Sin, 76, had been in poor health for the past several years and had been in intensive care for the past two days due to an infection related to a lon [...] |
2005-06-21 04:29:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PINS KPAO SOCI PINR RP VT |
| 05MANILA2821 |
EMBASSY ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS -- LAW ENFORCEMENT [...] (SBU) Summary: Over the past year, Mission has stepped up law enforcement anti-corruption efforts. Mission played a key role in major anti-corruption cases, particularly the case against former Comptroller of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Carlos Garcia. We are now activ [...] |
2005-06-21 08:09:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PINR KCOR CVIS ECON RP |
| 05MANILA2840 |
LEFTISTS JOIN OPPOSITION MOVES AGAINST ARROYO [...] (C) Summary: Leftist groups, most of which are aligned with the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army (CPP/NPA), appear to be lining up with mainstream opposition elements in efforts to unseat President Arroyo. Leftist groups, which have the ability to turn out protesters, are [...] |
2005-06-22 05:14:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS MOPS PINR ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA2846 |
CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM CONTINUES FOLLOWING LATEST [...] (SBU) A GRP-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Joint Statement heralded as a success the eighth round of "exploratory talks" on June 21 between their respective peace panels under Malaysian facilitation in Kuala Lumpur (ref A). The talks were "marked with a high level of mutual trust and c [...] |
2005-06-22 23:17:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PTER PREL MY RP |
| 05MANILA286 |
AFP/DND TALKS PRODUCE PROGRESS ON COUNTERTERRORISM [...] (C) SUMMARY. USPACOM's January 12-14 working level meetings with Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) counterparts succeeded in developing a range of enhanced US-GRP counterterrorism scenarios that should set the stage for further in-depth discussion [...] |
2005-01-19 09:25:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS MARR PREL PTER PINS RP |
| 05MANILA2887 |
CONTINUED POLITICAL WOES FOR PRESIDENT ARROYO [...] (C) Summary: An anti-GMA protest march on June 24 failed to gather significant momentum, but police blocked access to downtown Manila City. As of COB, the crowds had yet to disperse entirely, however. President Arroyo delayed the retirement of Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff [...] |
2005-06-24 07:27:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS ECON ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA2888 |
PGMA AND INDONESIA'S YUDHOYONO REAFFIRM [...] (SBU) Summary. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA) and her Indonesian counterpart President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) discussed bolstering counterterrorism cooperation, law enforcement, and border control -- issues already covered under a 2001 information exchange agreement -- duri [...] |
2005-06-24 07:31:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL PINS ID RP |
| 05MANILA2889 |
MILF COVERTLY MOVING AGAINST HIGH VALUE TERRORIST [...] (S/NF) Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (MILF-AHJAG) official (and International Visitor Leadership Program nominee) Mike Pasigan (strictly protect) told poloff June 24 that the MILF is covertly mobilizing its forces in a "non-combat" effort to locate (and hopefully cap [...] |
2005-06-24 07:46:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PINS PREL MOPS ID RP |
| 05MANILA2969 |
SEVEN ABU SAYYAF MEMBERS SENTENCED TO DEATH [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Seven members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) since 1997, received death sentences on June 22 from the Basilan District Court for their role in the 2001 [...] |
2005-06-28 07:28:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PINS PREL KCRM RP |
| 05MANILA2970 |
ARROYO SAYS "I AM SORRY" [...] (C) Summary: In a brief national address on June 27, a subdued President Arroyo admitted that a taped telephone conversation with an election official last year was "a lapse in judgment" and said "I am sorry." Asked subsequently for media comment, Charge underscored that the USG supports tr [...] |
2005-06-28 08:12:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS PINR KPAO RP |
| 05MANILA2972 |
GRP-MILF PEACE TALKS: A SLOW AND INCREMENTAL [...] (C) Summary. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo's recent assessment that the GRP and MILF will reach a peace accord in six months is highly optimistic, although other GRP figures have made similar predictions. We expect the process to slow down as the parties delve further into specifi [...] |
2005-06-28 23:29:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PTER PREL MY RP |
| 05MANILA2991 |
DESIGNATION OF THE RAJAH SOLAIMAN MOVEMENT AS A [...] (S) Summary and Action Request. The Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM) has emerged as one of the most dangerous terrorist groups in the Philippines. Its members have been involved in the 2004 Superferry 14 bombing, the synchronized 2005 "Valentine's Day" attacks in Manila, General Santos, and Da [...] |
2005-06-29 07:53:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER ASEC EFIN PINR PREL RP |
| 05MANILA2993 |
ARROYO CLEANING HOUSE AS OPPONENTS STILL DENOUNCE [...] (C) Summary: According to President Arroyo, husband Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo has now "volunteered to go abroad." Susan Roces, the widow of former presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr., called for Arroyo's immediate resignation, while privately indicating through an intermediary that she d [...] |
2005-06-29 08:31:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR RP |
| 05MANILA3045 |
LITTLE ECONOMIC IMPACT SO FAR FROM ARROYO'S WOES [...] (SBU) Summary. The Peso broke the PhP56/$1 mark on June 29, but has marginally recovered. The stock market continued to slide lower on concerns about the President's future, but most local analysts said that the situation remains manageable. The Philippine business community appears to be [...] |
2005-07-01 08:23:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA3046 |
ARROYO STEADYING THE SHIP [...] (C) Summary: The political scene in Manila continues to be lively but not truly turbulent. During a day trip outside of Manila, President Arroyo vowed to bring the country out of "political and economic deterioration." According to her son, the president's mood was good and she was confiden [...] |
2005-07-01 08:23:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PINS PINR KPAO ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA3061 |
ARROYO CELEBRATES JULY 4TH, BUT SUPREME COURT [...] (C) Summary: President Arroyo attended Mission's July 4 celebration and also hosted an anti-trafficking event at Malacanang attended by Charge on July 2. At the July 4 event, Charge publicly hailed close U.S.-Philippine ties and underscored the importance of strengthening democratic institu [...] |
2005-07-05 09:57:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET | PGOV PINS PREL ECON PINR KPAO RP |
| 05MANILA3095 |
MUSLIM VIEWS ON MANILA'S POLITICAL CIRCUS [...] (C) Summary. Some moderate Muslims are looking beyond PGMA to a possible De Castro era. The ongoing circus has sparked renewed interest in a look at an independent Mindanao as part of a federal system. Muslim clerics may issue veiled attacks against PGMA on July 8. End Summary. 2. (C) [...] |
2005-07-07 06:44:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS KISL PINR RP |
| 05MANILA3115 |
A GMA INSIDER GETS OUT [...] (S) Summary. The defection from GMA ranks of Congressman Golez is a blow to Arroyo. He believes she has lost the "moral high ground" and civil society support. There are no signs yet of other significant political defections or military unrest, but the situation remains highly fluid. End [...] |
2005-07-07 07:09:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET | PGOV PREL PINS PINR RP |
| 05MANILA3116 |
ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN MUSLIM AUTONOMOUS REGION IN [...] (C) Summary: The campaign for the August 8 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) began on June 28. Despite earlier promises, Malacanang has endorsed a candidate for governor: Zaldy Ampatuan, a mayor and scion of a well-known political clan. Ampatuan is now favored t [...] |
2005-07-07 07:31:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM EAID PREL ASEC PTER RP |
| 05MANILA312 |
MORE VIGILANTE-STYLE KILLINGS REPORTED IN DAVAO [...] (C) Summary: There have been 26 reported killings of suspected criminals in Davao City, Mindanao, since the new year began. Human rights organizations have implicated the "Davao Death Squad," a vigilante group linked with Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, in the killings. Mission has expressed [...] |
2005-01-20 08:14:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PHUM PINS PINR SNAR RP |
| 05MANILA3133 |
ARROYO DEMANDS FULL CABINET SUBMIT RESIGNATIONS [...] (S) Summary. In an apparent pre-emptive move against threatened resignations by some key Cabinet members, President Arroyo announced to the nation on July 7 that she had asked for the resignation of her entire Cabinet and would focus her own efforts in the future on political reform. Former [...] |
2005-07-07 14:05:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET | PINS PGOV EAID RP |
| 05MANILA3154 |
"MAKE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE" [...] (C) Summary: The chorus has grown for President Arroyo to step down. Former president Corazon Aquino held a press conference late July 8 and called on President Arroyo "to make the supreme sacrifice" and resign. Several members of her former cabinet also called for her resignation on July 8 [...] |
2005-07-08 09:55:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PREL KPAO MOPS RP |
| 05MANILA3156 |
PHILIPPINE MARKET JITTERS HEIGHTENING [...] (SBU) Summary: Despite the Philippine Supreme Court's July 5 decision to move up the date of a hearing on the implementation of the recently-passed Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT), the country's currency, equities, and bond markets remain shaky. Markets are showing increasing signs of strain [...] |
2005-07-08 09:57:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA3161 |
ARROYO ANNOUNCES SHE HAS NO PLANS TO RESIGN [...] (U) Summary: In a brief pre-recorded statement delivered July 8 on radio, President Arroyo responded to her critics and stated that she had no plans to resign. She said she plans to focus on getting the economy moving and on the delivery of social services. Her remarks will not diminish th [...] |
2005-07-08 11:10:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINS PREL KPAO RP |
| 05MANILA3163 |
BUSINESS GROUPS JOIN CALLS FOR ARROYO'S RESIGNATION [...] (SBU) Summary: Business leaders in Manila continue to call for a Constitutionally consistent resolution to the current political situation, but now have added their voices to the chorus calling for Arroyo to leave office. On July 8, three key business groups, including the highly influential M [...] |
2005-07-08 12:15:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PGOV ECON RP |
| 05MANILA3167 |
CATHOLIC BISHOPS SIDESTEP ISSUE OF WHETHER ARROYO [...] (U) Summary: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) sidestepped the issue of whether President Arroyo should resign in their statement on the political situation on July 10. On one hand, the group stated that it did not demand her resignation, while on the other hand it [...] |
2005-07-10 11:33:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PINS PREL SOCI RP |
| 05MANILA3187 |
CATHOLIC BISHOPS' STATEMENT BUYS ARROYO MORE TIME [...] (C) Summary: According to political contacts, the July 10 statement by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines has bought President Arroyo more time by not explicitly calling for her resignation. In a brief radio address on July 10, Arroyo welcomed the statement and said she pla [...] |
2005-07-11 09:23:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PREL SOCI RP |
| 05MANILA3188 |
MARKETS CAUTIOUS AS TRADING WEEK OPENS [...] (SBU) Summary: Markets opened the trading week on July 11 shaky on resurgent fears of protracted political controversies and escalating concern that the political turmoil will distract and/or paralyze President Arroyo's ability to move her Administration's reform agenda forward. Recent reac [...] |
2005-07-11 09:32:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA3202 |
VATICAN HAND IN CATHOLIC BISHOPS' STATEMENT? [...] (C) Summary: Several local press reports have claimed that the Papal Nuncio "scolded" the Catholic bishops during their recent conference, demanding that they not involve themselves in politics by explicitly calling for President Arroyo's resignation. As reported, after much discussion, the [...] |
2005-07-12 07:50:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR SOCI RP VT |
| 05MANILA3231 |
ARROYO OPPOSITION FAILS TO PRODUCE MASSIVE [...] (SBU) Summary: A July 13 opposition rally in Manila's central business district produced only an estimated 15-20,000 demonstrators as of 1600 hrs local, although numbers may grow somewhat with speakers like FPJ widow Susan Roces later on. Police appear to have blocked busloads of would-be pr [...] |
2005-07-13 08:52:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PINS PGOV ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA3251 |
MUCH DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE [...] (C) Summary: A group of party leaders from across the political spectrum (pro-President Arroyo to opposition) met July 12 and agreed that the Philippine Constitution should be changed to create a unicameral legislature. No firm work program was agreed to. Arroyo welcomed further discussions [...] |
2005-07-14 08:55:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS SOCI PINR PREL RP |
| 05MANILA3278 |
PONDERING A "TRANSITIONAL COUNCIL" PROPOSAL [...] (C) Summary: Some politicians have begun to look at a possible "transitional council" for the Philippines, notably Senator Ramon Magsaysay and Renato De Villa, then-President Ramos' Defense Secretary. Under this scheme, President Arroyo and Vice President De Castro would resign and let a ca [...] |
2005-07-15 09:01:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PREL RP |
| 05MANILA3282 |
ARROYO REBUILDING ECONOMIC TEAM [...] (C) Summary: In the wake of the exodus of key economic advisors, President Arroyo began reconstruction of her economic team on July 12 with the appointment of Margarito Teves as Secretary of Finance. On July 14, she announced other key appointments, including Peter Tavilia as Secretary of Tr [...] |
2005-07-15 10:47:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EINV PGOV TBIO RP |
| 05MANILA3290 |
PRO-ARROYO SUPPORTERS HOLD LARGE RALLY [...] (C) Summary: Media and police estimate that roughly 100,000 people attended a pro-President Arroyo rally on July 16 in Manila. Most rally participants appeared to be provincial- or local-level government workers and their families bused to the rally. In other news related to the ongoing po [...] |
2005-07-18 07:36:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PREL ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA3319 |
OPPOSITION PRESSES FORWARD ON IMPEACHMENT EFFORT [...] (C) Summary: Opposition lawmakers are putting the finishing touches on an impeachment complaint against President Arroyo and believe that they are close to the needed number of House co-sponsors. Pro-Arroyo contacts still expect lengthy House hearings and a plenary vote before a trial in th [...] |
2005-07-19 09:45:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PREL RP |
| 05MANILA3370 |
CALMER WEEK ON POLITICAL FRONT PROVIDES RESPITE [...] (SBU) Summary: A relatively calmer week on the political front and positive fiscal news gave currency, stock, and bond markets some breathing space to partially recoup lost gains. The peso traded above the 56 pesos/$1 level throughout the July 18-22 trading week, but ended the week down sl [...] |
2005-07-22 09:36:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA3373 |
EXTRADITION OF CPP LEADER SISON FROM THE [...] (S) According to National Security Adviser Bert Gonzales, the GRP has now agreed to the final Dutch condition on the extradition of Communist Party of the Philippines leader Jose Maria "Joma" Sison, who has long been resident in but not able to win formal political asylum from the Netherland [...] |
2005-07-24 23:24:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINS RP NL |
| 05MANILA3391 |
OPPOSITION FILES IMPEACHMENT CHARGES AGAINST ARROYO [...] (C) Summary: The Opposition filed amended impeachment charges in the House of Representatives against President Arroyo early July 25. The Opposition complaint charges that Arroyo betrayed public trust, violated the Constitution, and engaged in corrupt practices. The impeachment complaint di [...] |
2005-07-25 08:28:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PREL ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA3397 |
ARROYO GIVES STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS, WHILE [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: President Arroyo gave her State of the Nation Address (SONA) late July 25. In a short speech, she claimed that her government had made great strides in strengthening the economy and she promise [...] |
2005-07-25 10:05:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PINS PINR ECON ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA3413 |
POSITIVE MEDIA COVERAGE FOR ARROYO SPEECH, BUT [...] (C) Summary: President Arroyo's July 25 State of the Nation Address (SONA) netted positive coverage in the media. Political reaction generally fell along predictable lines, with supporters asserting that it was an excellent speech, while the opposition castigated it. On the economic side, r [...] |
2005-07-26 07:42:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PREL ECON KPAO RP |
| 05MANILA3415 |
2005 SOUTHEAST ASIA REPORTING OFFICERS CONFERENCE, [...] Embassy Manila will host the 2005 Southeast Asia Reporting Officers Conference (SEAROC), October 13-14. Most of the event will take place at Mission's historic chancery. Please send a front-channel cable confirming attendance, security level of participant(s), and flight details as soon as p [...] |
2005-07-26 07:51:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV ECON OTRA XB RP |
| 05MANILA3421 |
PHILIPPINE FINANCIAL MARKETS POST-SONA [...] (U) Summary: Peso, stock, and bond markets have not reacted negatively to President Arroyo's State of the Nation Address on July 25. Her promise to forge ahead with economic and fiscal reforms, whatever the political cost, helped send a positive signal (Ref A). The stock market closed firm [...] |
2005-07-26 11:20:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA3435 |
GRP-MILF PEACE TALKS POSTPONED; LATEST NEWS [...] (S) Summary: The latest round of exploratory talks between the GRP and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have been postponed. The talks -- which are being facilitated by the Malaysian government -- were scheduled to be held on July 25 in Kuala Lumpur and appear to have been postponed [...] |
2005-07-27 06:48:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET | PGOV PINS PTER PINR KISL MY RP |
| 05MANILA3477 |
ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN MUSLIM AUTONOMOUS REGION IN [...] (C) Summary: The election campaign in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is heating up. The governor's race appears to have come down to a showdown between Zaldy Ampatuan and Ibrahim "Toto" Paglas, two well-known regional figures. Ampatuan, who is running as the candidate of L [...] |
2005-07-29 07:31:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM EAID PREL ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA3500 |
TIP Update; Latest on Prosecutions; Municipalities [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified - Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: The International Justice Mission (IJM) reports that it continues to press forward with 15 Trafficking in Persons (TIP)-related prosecutions. We have asked the Department of Justice (DoJ) to conf [...] |
2005-08-01 08:42:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KWMN ELAB KCRM ECON RP |
| 05MANILA3593 |
HOUSE SETS RULES FOR IMPEACHMENT COMPLAINT [...] (C) Summary: The House has set the rules for the Opposition's impeachment complaint against President Arroyo. The rules will allow the House to refer the complaint to the Senate at any point if the Opposition is able to show that it has attained requisite support (79 members). The Opposition [...] |
2005-08-03 08:11:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PREL KCOR RP |
| 05MANILA3611 |
SUPREME COURT DECLINES TO POSTPONE ELECTION IN [...] (C) Summary: The Philippine Supreme Court has declined a request that it postpone the August 8 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). At this point, it looks like the elections will be held on schedule. Preparations for the elections proceed apace, including in the se [...] |
2005-08-04 07:51:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PINS PTER KISL ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA3632 |
TENSIONS SPIKE BETWEEN GRP AND EXTREME LEFT [...] (C) Summary: The GRP announced on August 2 that it was suspending the immunity from arrest for National Democratic Front (NDF) officials, who had been participating in the negotiation track. The NDF sharply criticized the government's move. A congressman with close links to Malacanang told [...] |
2005-08-05 06:47:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PTER PINR RP NO NL |
| 05MANILA3655 |
ELECTIONS IN MUSLIM AUTONOMOUS REGION PROCEED IN [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: The August 8 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have proceeded in largely an orderly fashion as of the close of polls at 1500 hrs local. Mission observers on the groun [...] |
2005-08-08 09:23:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL KISL ASEC EAID RP |
| 05MANILA3657 |
JULY 27-AUGUST 5 UPDATE: PHILIPPINE FINANCIAL [...] (SBU) Summary: President Arroyo and her new economic team went on a media offensive shortly after the President's July 25 State of the Nation Address (SONA) to assure investors, creditors and other Philippine observers that the Administration remains focused on managing the economy and pursu [...] |
2005-08-08 10:24:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN EINV PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA3677 |
COUNTING OF VOTES CONTINUES IN MUSLIM AUTONOMOUS [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: Officials continue to count votes cast in the August 8 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) elections. Results are due to be released within the next 24 hours. Only minor problems have [...] |
2005-08-09 07:54:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL KISL ASEC KPAO RP |
| 05MANILA3697 |
CONTINUED BICKERING IN HOUSE OVER IMPEACHMENT [...] (C) Summary: There has been continued bickering in the House over the Opposition's impeachment complaint against President Arroyo. Formal hearings in the Justice Committee began on August 10, with pro-Arroyo members immediately raising procedural questions about the nature of the complaint, [...] |
2005-08-10 08:19:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR SOCI RP VA |
| 05MANILA3708 |
NO FATALITIES, 26 INJURED IN TWIN ZAMBOANGA BLASTS [...] (C) Two explosions rocked central Zamboanga City the evening of August 10, leaving an estimated 26 injured with no deaths. There are no claims of responsibility, and local civilian and security authorities say there are no definite leads so far in the investigation. Philippine counterterror [...] |
2005-08-11 06:34:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER ASEC CASC PREL PINS RP |
| 05MANILA3709 |
GRP BRIEFS DIPLOMATIC CORPS ON REVOCATION OF NDF [...] (C) SUMMARY. In an effort to rally international backing, senior officials briefed representatives of the Manila diplomatic corps on the GRP's decision to suspend the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG), which provided Communist peace negotiators immunity from arrest an [...] |
2005-08-11 07:14:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PTER PINR PREL NO NL RP |
| 05MANILA3710 |
OFFICIAL RESULTS FROM ARMM ELECTIONS DELAYED; MORE [...] (C) Summary: Final results from the August 8 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have been delayed due to poor weather and other reasons. Unofficial results indicate that Zaldy Ampatuan, the favored candidate for governor, and running-mate Ansarrudin Adiong, the favo [...] |
2005-08-11 07:30:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KISL EAID ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA3726 |
AMPATUAN WINS GOVERNOR'S RACE IN MUSLIM AUTONOMOUS [...] (C) Summary: Official results have been released for the August 8 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Zaldy Ampatuan, the favored candidate, won the governor's race in a landslide, as did Ansaruddin Adiong in the vice-governor's race. They will be sworn in on Sept [...] |
2005-08-12 07:10:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINS KISL ECON PINR RP |
| 05MANILA3754 |
UPTICK IN EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS IN DAVAO AND CEBU [...] (SBU) Summary: Extra-judicial killings of suspected criminals in Davao and Cebu are on the increase. So far, 137 have been slain this year in Davao and 77 in Cebu. No arrests have been made. The killings appear to have spread to other localities: there have been several recent slayings [...] |
2005-08-15 07:13:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PINR SOCI PREL RP |
| 05MANILA3760 |
LOOMING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL STRIKE POSES RISKS FOR [...] (C) The Air Transportation Office (ATO) and the Philippine Air Traffic Controllers Association (PATCA) appear locked in an on-going dispute about overtime pay that erupted into several recent work slowdowns last week and the imminent threat of a strike. If the accusations of undermanned con [...] |
2005-08-15 08:58:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR PREL RP |
| 05MANILA3771 |
AFP RECOVERS/SEEKS TO IDENTIFY TERRORIST REMAINS [...] (S/NF) Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units recovered on August 11 in the vicinity of Datu Odin, Sinsuat in the Mindanao province of Maguindanao the remains of a terrorist killed in an engagement a month earlier with AFP troops tracking Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Khadaffy Janjalani. [...] |
2005-08-16 06:09:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER MOPS MARR PREL PINS PINR ID RP |
| 05MANILA3778 |
BANKS FACE LITTLE REPRIEVE ON OVERDUE TAX ISSUE [...] (C) The Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) cannot fend off the tax assessments on its 1998-2004 foreign currency deposits much longer. Neither the Administration nor Congress will forego revenue earnings stipulated clearly by Philippine law. The new Commissioner of Internal Revenu [...] |
2005-08-16 09:14:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN ECON RP |
| 05MANILA3788 |
STUDENT ACTIVISM IN THE PHILIPPINES: STILL A [...] (C) Summary: Student activism in the Philippines has long been a political force and it remains one. This is particularly the case at state-funded universities, where many students are involved in politics, including the effort to oust President Arroyo. Private university students play les [...] |
2005-08-17 07:36:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR KISL SOCI RP |
| 05MANILA3790 |
GENERAL GENEROSA SENGA ASSUMES COMMAND OF ARMED [...] (SBU) Summary. Lieutenant General Generosa Senga assumed command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from retiring General Efren Abu in an August 15 change of command ceremony. Senga has a reputation as a combat commander. A classmate of Abu's, he is expected to continue many of his pred [...] |
2005-08-17 08:56:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS MARR MCAP PGOV PINS PINR PTER RP |
| 05MANILA3810 |
HEARINGS ON IMPEACHMENT CHARGES CONTINUE, BUT [...] (C) Summary: House hearings into the impeachment charges brought against President Arroyo are continuing, but pro-Arroyo and Opposition members continue to argue over procedure. In other legislative news, a House leader has advocated the formation of a constituent assembly that would focus [...] |
2005-08-18 08:31:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR RP |
| 05MANILA3811 |
USGS DISCUSSES JOINT MINERAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT [...] (SBU) In meetings in Manila with senior GRP officials, USGS Acting Director Leahy confirmed the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) intentions to develop a work plan with the GRP to conduct the first phase of a mineral resources assessment of the Philippines. Department of Environment and Natura [...] |
2005-08-18 09:57:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EMIN SENV EINV ECON BEXP RP |
| 05MANILA3830 |
PHILIPPINES: CHILD LABOR UPDATE 2005 [...] (U) Summary and Introduction: This message provides input requested for the Secretary of Labor's annual report to Congress on the implementation of commitments to eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor (ref A). It updates information provided by Post in 2004 (per ref C) regarding child labo [...] |
2005-08-19 07:01:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV ECON ELAB EAID RP ILO |
| 05MANILA3838 |
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER SHORTAGE RAISES SAFETY [...] (C) Civil aviation officials admitted a 44% deficiency in air traffic controllers nationwide and blamed government restrictions on hiring new personnel and adjusting salary levels for the recent work slowdowns and threatened strike. Despite resource constraints and lack of autonomy, civair o [...] |
2005-08-19 08:36:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | EAIR RP |
| 05MANILA3843 |
GRP-MILF OPTIMISTIC ON TALKS, MALAYSIAN MONITORS, [...] (C) Summary. The GRP and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) maintain their readiness to resume exploratory talks, although GRP officials indicate Malaysian facilitators remain concerned about distractions stemming from the still unresolved political situation in Manila. Both parties appre [...] |
2005-08-19 09:05:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL MOPS PINS KISL MY RP |
| 05MANILA3846 |
DEFENSE SECRETARY CRUZ DETAILS PLANS TO IMPROVE [...] (C) Summary. Defense Secretary Cruz's multi-faceted reform agenda includes establishing new budget and procurement procedures, buying counterinsurgency equipment, revamping training, and restructuring Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) intelligence services. The GRP hopes an eventual pe [...] |
2005-08-19 09:20:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS MARR MCAP PREL PTER PINS RP |
| 05MANILA3862 |
CABINET SECRETARY IN DISCUSSIONS WITH ESTRADA [...] (C) Summary: Michael Defensor, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, has confirmed that he has been engaged in talks with supporters of former president Estrada. The exact scope of the talks is unclear, but Defensor, claiming that he is acting on his own volition, says the talks su [...] |
2005-08-21 09:27:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR SOCI KCOR RP |
| 05MANILA3901 |
PRO-ARROYO MAJORITY WINS INITIAL VOTE IN HOUSE ON [...] (C) Summary: The pro-Arroyo Majority in the House won the initial vote in the Justice Committee on the Opposition's impeachment charges against President Arroyo on August 23. The vote in the Committee was 54-24 against an Opposition motion to move directly into discussion of the substance of [...] |
2005-08-23 08:45:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR RP |
| 05MANILA3946 |
CATHOLIC CHURCH CHANGES TACK AND TAKES MORE [...] (C) Summary: The Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines is changing tack in regard to its political role. Under the leadership of the now-deceased Cardinal Sin, the Church assumed an activist posture, pressing for the ouster of two presidents, and at times indicating preferences for or ag [...] |
2005-08-25 07:28:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR SOCI RP |
| 05MANILA3955 |
NEW TERMINAL FACES LEGAL AND FINANCIAL HURDLES TO [...] (SBU) Eight months after government took possession, the new airport terminal in Manila continues to languish unopened. A temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court at the GRP's request continues to block a lower court order on the GRP to begin paying "just compensation" to the [...] |
2005-08-25 08:56:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ECON RP |
| 05MANILA3956 |
POST-QUOTA ADAPTION OF GARMENT AND TEXTILE [...] Summary: The Philippine garment and textile industry has thus far withstood the end of the MFA quota regime, largely thanks to U.S. safeguards imposed on Chinese goods. Exports during the first half of 2005 are stable, though production is shifting toward higher-value products and natural fi [...] |
2005-08-25 08:56:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD KTEX EINV PREL ECON RP |
| 05MANILA3963 |
APPROXIMATELY 30 INJURED IN BASILAN FERRY BLAST [...] (C) Summary. An apparent improvised explosive device (IED) exploded on a ferry docked in Lamitan Town, Basilan Province, at approximately 7:00 a.m. August 28. The blast injured about 30 people, although no deaths were reported. The low-tech nature of the device and lack of shrapnel evidence [...] |
2005-08-28 08:08:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PINS PREL PGOV CASC ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA3994 |
IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS CONTINUE WITH KEY VOTES [...] (C) Summary: Impeachment hearings in the House Justice Committee continued on August 30. The pro-Arroyo Majority made clear that it intends to vote against allowing the House to review the Opposition's amended impeachment complaint against President Arroyo. The Opposition argues that its c [...] |
2005-08-29 09:57:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA4019 |
MAJORITY SEEMS SET TO WRAP UP IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS [...] (C) Summary: The pro-Arroyo Majority in the House voted August 31 to disallow the Opposition's impeachment complaint against President Arroyo in favor of a weaker complaint filed earlier by a private citizen. There are also reports that the Majority is planning to throw out this remaining i [...] |
2005-08-30 09:58:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA4040 |
END GAME FOR IMPEACHMENT EFFORT DRAWS NEAR AS [...] (C) Summary: The pro-Arroyo Majority in the House Justice Committee voted down the final impeachment complaint left standing against President Arroyo late August 31. The Committee voted overwhelmingly to reject the complaint on the grounds that it lacked substance (the Committee had already [...] |
2005-08-31 08:01:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR RP |
| 05MANILA410 |
THE EVOLVING ROLE OF LABOR UNIONS AND THEIR [...] (C) Summary: While the Philippines has a good record of promoting and protecting worker rights, the labor movement is no longer a potent political force. Union membership is in sharp decline, with labor market penetration falling from roughly 25 percent of salaried workers in 1986 to 9.7 per [...] |
2005-01-26 08:08:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB PGOV PHUM SOCI PINS ECON RP |
| 05MANILA4109 |
CHARGE CALLS ON KEY GRP FINANCIAL OFFICIALS [...] (SBU) In separate meetings with the Charge, both Central Bank Governor Tetangco and the Finance Secretary Teves described what they see as good prospects for steady economic growth, financial stability, and continued progress on fiscal reforms. Tetangco, in particular, downplayed recent "po [...] |
2005-09-01 08:34:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ENRG PREL EINV RP |
| 05MANILA4111 |
TRADE SECRETARY FAVILA SUPPORTS MORE CONSISTENT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: During a courtesy call by Charge, Secretary of Trade and Industry Peter Favila expressed SIPDIS support for more consistent and transparent policies to promote trade and investment. The Charge raised questions regarding inconsistent customs and tax policies as well as court [...] |
2005-09-01 08:59:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD ECON EFIN BEXP RP WTRO JP |
| 05MANILA4112 |
Supreme Court Upholds Expanded VAT Law [...] (SBU) Summary: On September 1, the Philippine Supreme Court upheld the legality of the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT) law but has yet to lift the temporary restraining order. The TRO that the Court issued on July 1 will remain in place for at least another fifteen days. During that interv [...] |
2005-09-01 09:35:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA4137 |
COMMUNISTS COMMIT TO FORMAL TALKS BUT BREAKTHROUGH [...] (C) Summary. After painting themselves in a corner, the National Democratic Front (NDF) -- the negotiating arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing the New People's Army (NPA) -- has agreed to resume formal talks, though an exact date is yet to be determined. Th [...] |
2005-09-05 08:33:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINS PTER RP NL NO |
| 05MANILA4140 |
HOUSE QUASHES IMPEACHMENT EFFORT [...] (C) Summary: The Philippine House of Representatives has quashed the Opposition's impeachment effort against President Arroyo. In a session concluding late September 6, the vote in the House to uphold the Justice Committee's findings dismissing the complaints against Arroyo was 158 for and 5 [...] |
2005-09-05 09:10:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA4199 |
NUMBER OF FILIPINO "ENTERTAINERS" GOING TO JAPAN [...] (SBU) Summary: The number of Filipino "entertainers" traveling to Japan has fallen sharply as a result of tighter Japanese visa regulations. This trend is expected to accelerate as applications filed under the older, more lenient rules phase out and all applications become subject to the ne [...] |
2005-09-06 09:17:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KWMN KCRM ELAB RP JA |
| 05MANILA4223 |
MEETING WITH PRESIDENT ARROYO [...] (C) Summary. According to President Arroyo, the GRP would still like to help with Hurricane Katrina and views our bilateral relationship as strong. GRP positions on UN reform are almost identical with the US. The GRP will continue cooperation with the US on terrorism, including terrorist [...] |
2005-09-07 09:59:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER MOPS EAID ECON RP UNSC |
| 05MANILA4224 |
INCOMING ARMM GOVERNOR EAGER FOR CONTINUED US [...] (C) Summary. Autonomous Region In Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor-elect Zaldy Ampatuan has promised to embrace a transparent and consultative leadership platform that would focus on the Mindanao peace process, local education needs, health care, and agriculture. Mission will work to establis [...] |
2005-09-07 10:05:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINS KISL ECON RP |
| 05MANILA4225 |
ESG-1 INTERVENTION ON TAWI TAWI: A TEMPLATE FOR [...] (U) SUMMARY. The August 9-10 intervention by Expeditionary Strike Group-1 (ESG-1) on Tawi Tawi represents the type of targeted, innovative civil affairs effort needed in the Philippines. We urge US Pacific Command to make these operations a regular part of future ESG and other naval deploym [...] |
2005-09-07 10:27:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MOPS MCAP PTER PINS PREL EAID RP |
| 05MANILA4271 |
ARCHBISHOP ROSALES ENCOURAGES CHURCH TO STAY OUT [...] (C) Summary: In a September 8 meeting with Charge, Archbishop of Manila Gaudencio Rosales identified economic and moral poverty as the greatest problems in the Philippines today and criticized the current political leadership as corrupt and ineffective in improving the lives of the people. [...] |
2005-09-11 08:25:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR RP |
| 05MANILA4278 |
AVIAN FLU PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS: GAPS IN PLANNING [...] (SBU) Summary: Although there have been no reported cases of avian influenza (H5N1) in the Philippines, the GRP's capacity to respond to a potential outbreak is limited by lack of resources in many areas. The GRP lacks funds for materials such as protective gear and stockpiles of Tamiflu. K [...] |
2005-09-11 10:54:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON PINR SOCI EAGR SENV TBIO TSPL RP |
| 05MANILA4322 |
CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE URGES FILIPINOS TO [...] (C) On September 13 the Permanent Council of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a sequel to its pastoral statement of July 2005, calling on Filipinos to move beyond the current political turmoil and to "address the more important and urgent problem of grinding po [...] |
2005-09-13 08:55:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR RP |
| 05MANILA4338 |
GROWING FRENZY TO MITIGATE RISING OIL PRICE [...] (SBU) In its latest scramble to temper the impact of escalating oil prices (reftel), the Philippine Government has stepped up its campaign to conserve energy, promote bioethanol as a gasoline additive, and push passage of a renewable energy bill to reduce the country's dependence on imported [...] |
2005-09-14 09:45:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG EINV ECON RP |
| 05MANILA4395 |
IPR ROUNDTABLE 2: IMPROVED PROSECUTION OF IPR CASES [...] (U) Summary: On September 13, Embassy conducted its second IPR roundtable to review IPR issues with US company reps and GRP officials. Roundtable participants praised the government for recent initiatives, notably its crackdown on pirated optical media goods, but stressed the need to prosecu [...] |
2005-09-19 00:15:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD KIPR PGOV PREL BEXP RP |
| 05MANILA4417 |
FILIPINO REACTION TO ESPIONAGE CASE AGAINST FBI [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: The announcement of the arrest of a former Philippine police official and an FBI employee on espionage charges in the U.S. has generated mixed reaction in the Philippines. Several national poli [...] |
2005-09-19 09:15:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINR PINS RP |
| 05MANILA4421 |
Aviation Safety Raised with Transport Secretary [...] (SBU) During the Charge's call, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Mendoza addressed concerns on aviation safety, pledged continued support for transportation security initiatives, and expressed commitment to infrastructure construction. Mendoza admitted that t [...] |
2005-09-20 01:28:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR PGOV EINV RP |
| 05MANILA4443 |
OPPOSITION MOTION IN HOUSE TO RECONSIDER [...] (C) Summary: The Opposition tried to file a motion in the House on September 19 asking for a reconsideration of its recent decision to quash the impeachment complaints against President Arroyo. The effort failed, however, due to the lack of a quorum. Opposition leaders have admitted that t [...] |
2005-09-20 08:57:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA4464 |
MALACANANG TAKES FLAK OVER HIRING OF U.S. LOBBYING [...] (C) Summary: Malacanang has recently taken a great deal of criticism for the hiring of Venable LLP, a U.S.-based law firm, to do lobbying. Opposition and even some pro-administration lawmakers have asserted that the contract was too expensive and complained that it was non-transparent. Mat [...] |
2005-09-21 08:34:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR ECON RP |
| 05MANILA4488 |
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE PHILIPPINES: A SNAPSHOT [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: The approximately six million plus indigenous persons in the Philippines are marginalized and lag far behind the general population in most social and economic indicators. They also suffer dis [...] |
2005-09-22 07:49:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PGOV ECON EAID PINR PINS PREF RP |
| 05MANILA4491 |
MORE COVERAGE IN PHILIPPINE PRESS OF ALLEGED [...] Anti-government, pro-opposition daily "The Philippine Daily Inquirer" printed another in a series of daily articles summarizing and analyzing purported classified US Embassy reports on the front page in its edition of September 23. Following is the full text of the article. BEGIN TEXT " [...] |
2005-09-22 08:01:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PINR PINS KPAO RP |
| 05MANILA4503 |
PHILIPPINES: SLOW PACE OF ECONOMIC REFORM [...] (SBU) Summary: Philippine government and private sector leaders told U.S. Senior Official for APEC Michael Michalak that the Philippines continues to face problems with inefficient courts and corruption in general. Poor implementation and unpredictable enforcement of laws remain disincentive [...] |
2005-09-22 09:35:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD PREL KIPR TBIO TSPL RP APEC WTRO |
| 05MANILA4528 |
Proposed 2006 Budget: A Taxing Proposition [...] (SBU) Summary: President Arroyo's proposed 2006 budget call for a 30 percent increase in funds for infrastructure, health, and education while continuing to reduce the budget deficit for a fourth consecutive year. The 1.05-trillion peso ($18.8 billion) budget proposal represents 7.5% year-on [...] |
2005-09-25 09:55:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA4545 |
MALACANANG REPORTEDLY CONSIDERING PARDON OF [...] (C) Summary: The Palace is reportedly considering pardoning former Congressman Romeo Jalosjos, who has been in jail since 1997 for raping an 11 year old girl. According to opponents of the possible move, the Palace is considering the matter as a reward to the Jalosjos clan, which is politica [...] |
2005-09-26 07:13:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR RP |
| 05MANILA4600 |
SLUGGISH GROWTH IN ELECTRONICS HIGHLIGHTS POWER AND [...] Philippine semiconductor and electronics exports, 70% of total exports, are growing slightly in 2005 despite the closure of a major Toshiba laptop factory in late 2004. Growth in semiconductor exports offset a decline in other electronics categories caused by Toshiba's departure. The industry [...] |
2005-09-27 06:02:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD EINV PREL ECON RP |
| 05MANILA463 |
MASSIVE STRIKES AGAINST HIGH VALUE TERRORISTS IN [...] (C) Summary. A January 27 Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) massive aerial and artillery attack against several high value terrorist suspects (including ASG leader Janjalani and key JI operatives linked to the Bali bombing) killed as many as five terrorists and wounded three. Confirmatio [...] |
2005-01-28 07:07:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET | PTER PINS PREL MOPS MY RP |
| 05MANILA4631 |
PHILIPPINE MARINES CAPTURE SEVEN ASG TERRORISTS ON [...] (U) In a September 21 early morning raid on a safe house in Panjogan village near Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, Philippine Marines captured Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) commander Jundan Jamalu, a.k.a. Jundan Jain a.k.a. "Black Killer," and six other ASG terrorists. Jamalu had been wanted by Philippine author [...] |
2005-09-28 06:57:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER MOPS PINS ID MY RP |
| 05MANILA4637 |
PHILIPPINE MILITARY OFFICERS DISCIPLINED AFTER [...] (U) Summary. Two high-ranking Philippine military officers have been relieved of their posts after claiming at a Senate hearing to know of vote fraud committed on behalf of Philippine President Arroyo in the 2004 election. End Summary. 2. (U) On September 28, 2005, two high-ranking offic [...] |
2005-09-28 07:41:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PREL MCAP RP |
| 05MANILA4639 |
Prospering from the Remittance Gusher [...] Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) remittances grew by 22% for the first seven months of 2005, and should approach $10 billion for the year, equal to 10% of GDP. Two-thirds of remitters from the U.S. use the banking system while others go through informal channels. Surveys show recipients apply m [...] |
2005-09-28 08:15:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN EINV PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA464 |
ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE PICKS UP STEAM [...] (C) Summary: Mission is actively working with GRP counterparts to help them develop legal cases against Philippine officials who have allegedly been engaged in graft and other forms of corruption. GRP officials have recently advanced numerous new corruption-related cases against prominent m [...] |
2005-01-28 07:35:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KCOR PREL MARR ECON PINR RP |
| 05MANILA4662 |
DEBATE OVER POSSIBLE CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES [...] (C) Summary: The perennial debate over possible changes to the Philippine Constitution of 1987 is steadily heating up. Jose De Venecia, the Speaker of the House, is pressing the matter forward in Congress, urging that the current bicameral, executive presidential system be changed into a pa [...] |
2005-09-29 05:57:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR RP |
| 05MANILA4669 |
PHILIPPINES: VIETNAMESE REFUGEES LEAVE LIMBO AT [...] (SBU) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified; please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary. The final group of refugees who fled Vietnam for the Philippines 15-30 years ago began resettling in the U.S. this week. A projected 1600 refugees will ultimately be resettled; the fate of 400 [...] |
2005-09-29 07:12:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PREF VM RP IOM |
| 05MANILA4693 |
KEY FIGURE IN GRP FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: On September 30, GRP Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo announced that he would resign effective November 30 due to health reasons. Marcelo is widely respected as a highly effective anti-corruption crus [...] |
2005-10-02 07:38:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KCOR ECON RP |
| 05MANILA4740 |
MALACANANG-SENATE RELATIONS DETERIORATE [...] (C) Summary: After several highly contentious Senate sessions, a group of Opposition senators led by Senate President Franklin Drilon continues to press for more hearings into issues potentially embarrassing to President Arroyo. Malacanang has reacted angrily and is strictly controlling acc [...] |
2005-10-04 05:32:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR ECON EINV PTER CH RP |
| 05MANILA4750 |
PHILIPPINES TIGHTENS SECURITY AFTER BALI BOMBINGS [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary. In the aftermath of the October 1 bombings in Bali, Indonesia, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed her condolences to the victims' families, tightened security measures, and [...] |
2005-10-04 08:39:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PREL MOPS PINS PGOV KISL ID RP |
| 05MANILA4776 |
NEW GOVERNOR IN MUSLIM REGION IN MINDANAO SWORN IN [...] (C) Summary. Newly elected Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan was sworn into office on September 30 by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita. Conspicuously absent from the inaugural ceremony were outgoing ARMM Governor Dr. Parouk Hussin, and Cotabato City Mayor M [...] |
2005-10-05 09:19:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PTER PINS KISL PINR ECON RP |
| 05MANILA4785 |
PHILIPPINE REACTION TO LATEST REVELATIONS ABOUT [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified; Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) The Philippine media is covering in an extensive fashion an October 5 report by ABC News that recently-arrested FBI analyst Leandro Aragoncillo may have stolen classified US documents from the office of th [...] |
2005-10-06 07:18:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINR PINS KPAO RP |
| 05MANILA4809 |
MORE PHILIPPINE REACTION TO UNFOLDING U.S. [...] (C) Summary. The indictment of Philippine national Michael Ray Aquino on charges of conspiracy and acting as an unregistered foreign agent has elicited a range of reactions in the Philippines, including comments from President Arroyo and the Secretary of Justice. Key Opposition politicians, [...] |
2005-10-10 09:21:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PINS KPAO ASEC PREL RP |
| 05MANILA4810 |
PHILIPPINES: DEMOCRACY PROMOTION STRATEGIES [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. 2. (U) This message is in response to the action request contained in "Democracy Promotion Strategies for EAP Focus Countries" (ref a). Responses are keyed to specific informational requests contained in ref a, p [...] |
2005-10-10 09:25:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PINR PINS ECON KDEM RP |
| 05MANILA4814 |
Air Traffic Controller Staffing "Not Unsafe" [...] (SBU) Summary. Our most recent discussions and observations indicated no aviation safety threat at this time due to air traffic controller (ATC) staffing. In a meeting October 6 with DCM, econoffs, and a senior U.S. FAA rep, GRP officials acknowledged a staffing deficit but provided credibl [...] |
2005-10-11 01:06:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR PGOV EINV RP |
| 05MANILA4831 |
MISSION PRESSES GRP FOR EXPEDITIOUS PROGRESS ON [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: Mission recently held several meetings with high-level GRP officials working to combat human trafficking to discuss problem areas identified in the 2004 TIP Report. We stressed the seriousness [...] |
2005-10-11 08:38:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM KWMN ELAB KCRM ECON SMIG RP |
| 05MANILA4901 |
EMBASSY MANILA HOSTS SOUTHEAST ASIA REGIONAL [...] (U) Embassy Manila hosted the 2005 Southeast Asia Reporting Officers Conference, October 13-14. Thirty-eight participants from Missions in Southeast Asia and other posts in EAP, as well as from the Department and Pentagon, participated in the two-day event. A full list of participants is inc [...] |
2005-10-16 09:16:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PTER ECON PHUM SOCI XB XC RP |
| 05MANILA4905 |
SCENESETTER FOR S/CT AMBASSADOR CRUMPTON [...] (C) Summary. Embassy Manila's comprehensive counterterrorism efforts -- ranging from the military to humanitarian to public diplomacy -- are deliberately integrated to meet the ever-present terrorism threat in the Philippines. You will see all major players during your visit: Executive Secr [...] |
2005-10-16 10:11:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PREL ASEC PINS MOPS EAID KCRM RP |
| 05MANILA4929 |
GRP TAKES STEP TO REDISTRIBUTE LARGE ESTATE OWNED [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: Taking steps to resolve a long-standing labor dispute, the Philippine government has ordered that the large "Hacienda Luisita" estate owned in part by former president Corazon Aquino be redistri [...] |
2005-10-17 08:57:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV ECON ELAB PHUM SOCI PINS RP |
| 05MANILA4934 |
DISPERSAL OF OPPOSITION RALLY SPARKS DEBATE OVER [...] (C) Summary: The October 14 dispersal of a small Opposition rally has sparked a sharp debate over the GRP's tactics. The Opposition and many in the media have criticized the police, asserting that the use of water cannons was not appropriate, for example. Malacanang -- while not endorsing [...] |
2005-10-18 08:45:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINS PINR ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA4935 |
Supreme Court Clears Expanded VAT Law [...] (SBU) The Philippine Supreme Court upheld the legality of the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT) law, the key element in President Arroyo's revenue-enhancement agenda, boosting the credibility of her economic reform efforts. This measure could reduce debt accumulation and fund increases in soc [...] |
2005-10-18 10:01:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON EINV PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA4962 |
DIVISIONS IN PRESIDENT ARROYO'S COALITION IN HOUSE [...] (C) Summary: Tensions have spiked between Lakas, the major party in President Arroyo's coalition in the House, and KAMPI, a group of strong Arroyo loyalists. The flashpoint for the friction has been how many KAMPI members will serve on a key committee. A major source of continuing tension, [...] |
2005-10-20 06:04:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR PINS RP |
| 05MANILA4971 |
ANTI-ARROYO RALLY SPONSORED BY LEFT DRAWS 10,000 [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: About 10,000 leftist anti-President Arroyo protesters convened at a site near Malacanang Palace on October 21. In scuffles with police, several people were injured. This latest rally is part o [...] |
2005-10-20 07:54:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PINS PINR ASEC RP |
| 05MANILA4984 |
TIP: USG-FUNDED TRAINING AIMS TO ASSIST HUMAN [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: GRP prosecutors and NGO lawyers continue to make limited headway in prosecuting traffickers under anti-trafficking laws. The slow pace of progress is due in part to inadequate training of loca [...] |
2005-10-23 07:29:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM KWMN ELAB KCRM ECON RP |
| 05MANILA499 |
INTERNATIONAL TEAM INVESTIGATES SLAYINGS OF [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: A fact-finding team organized by the Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) January 24-31 investigated recen [...] |
2005-02-01 08:24:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PINS PINR SOCI KPAO RP |
| 05MANILA5012 |
SEARCH FOR NEXT OMBUDSMAN -- GRP'S KEY ANTI- [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: The GRP's Judicial and Bar Council is reviewing possible candidates to replace Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo, who is resigning on November 30. Favored candidates include Presidential Legal Counsel [...] |
2005-10-25 03:35:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KCOR ECON EAID PINR RP |
| 05MANILA5019 |
GRP-MILF PEACE PROCESS ON TRACK BUT POTENTIAL [...] (C) Summary: GRP and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiators made a breakthrough on ancestral domain during their 9th Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur, September 15-16. Though both sides agreed to keep details of the talks confidential, a leak to the Philippine press disclosed an [...] |
2005-10-25 08:20:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL MOPS PINS KISL MY RP |
| 05MANILA5023 |
INDICATIONS OF COUP PLOTTING [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY. There are disturbing indications that recidivist coup plotter "Gringo" Honasan and opposition Senator "Ping" Lacson may be at the very least associated with plots against President Arroyo in conjunction with the Young Officers Union (YOU), a shadowy cabal of junior and mid-gr [...] |
2005-10-25 09:38:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET | PINS PREL PTER ASEC MOPS RP |
| 05MANILA5059 |
AVIAN INFLUENZA - LIMITED SURVEILLANCE AND [...] (U) This is the third of a series of reports on the Philippines' preparedness to avert a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak (Refs C and D). This report focuses on stages 1 and 2 of the Philippines' Avian Influenza Protection Program: HPAI prevention and the establishment of co [...] |
2005-10-27 02:40:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON PINR SOCI EAGR SENV TBIO TSPL RP |
| 05MANILA5067 |
USTR, DOC VISIT ILLUSTRATES TRADE AND INVESTMENT [...] (SBU) Summary: USTR, Department of Commerce (DOC) and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) officials, accompanied by econoffs, met with congressional leaders, GRP officials and U.S. business leaders to discuss general economic issues including the upcoming WTO meeting, ASEAN, IPR protec [...] |
2005-10-27 07:17:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN ETRD KIPR RP |
| 05MANILA5068 |
USTR VISIT LAYS GROUNDWORK FOR JANUARY SPECIAL 301 [...] (SBU) Summary: USTR, Department of Commerce (DOC) and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) officials, accompanied by econoffs, met with congressional leaders and GRP officials to discuss IPR protection and the upcoming Special 301 Out-of-Cycle review (OCR). The GRP is keen to get off t [...] |
2005-10-27 07:18:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN ETRD KIPR RP |
| 05MANILA5097 |
MANILA BOMBERS SENTENCED TO DEATH IN PHILIPPINE [...] This message is Sensitive but Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: Death sentences were handed down in a Philippine trial court on October 28 to three extremists for their role in the February 14, 2005, bombing of a passenger bus in Manila. Key to the prosecutors' [...] |
2005-11-01 09:37:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER PREL PGOV PINR PINS RP |
| 05MANILA5098 |
DFA ON MEDIA REPORTS RE US-RP RELATIONSHIP [...] (C) Acting Foreign Secretary Edsel Custodio called in Charge d'Affaires Jones to DFA on November 2 to receive an aide memoire (full text in para 6) regarding recent media reports purportedly based on alleged US Embassy documents that the GRP believes are "aggravating political tensions and d [...] |
2005-11-01 09:57:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINS RP |
| 05MANILA5126 |
S/CT AMBASSADOR CRUMPTON'S TALKS WITH GRP OFFICIALS [...] (S/REL AUSTRALIA) SUMMARY. Philippine Foreign Secretary Romulo and Executive Secretary Ermita told visiting S/CT Ambassador Crumpton they are optimistic about peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), believing MILF Chairman Murad has the ability to sell an agreement to his [...] |
2005-11-02 08:09:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET | PTER PREL ASEC PINS MOPS RP |
| 05MANILA5130 |
THE INC AND EL SHADDAI: TWO PHILIPPINE RELIGIOUS [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please protect accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) and the charismatic El Shaddai Catholic group are politically active and their leaders retain significant influence on national politics. This influence was highli [...] |
2005-11-02 09:13:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINR PINS SOCI KDEM RP |
| 05MANILA5133 |
Clark Firms Mull Closure with Huge Tax Burden [...] (SBU) Businesses in the Clark Special Economic Zone face huge new financial liabilities after a recent Supreme Court decision nullified their tax incentives. U.S. company executives complain that the ruling replaces their 5% gross income tax with the standard 32% corporate income tax and ot [...] |
2005-11-02 09:28:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EINV PGOV EFIN RP |
| 05MANILA5137 |
SCENESETTER FOR EAP DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF [...] (C) Summary. Our strategic relations with the Philippines are important to both countries, and we seek to work even more constructively not only bilaterally but in a variety of regional and international fora as well. We have a comprehensive program of engagement with the GRP -- ranging from [...] |
2005-11-02 12:00:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PINS EAID MOPS ECON EFIN RP |
| 05MANILA5138 |
MANAGING THE IMPACT OF THE ALLEGED RAPE CASE [...] (SBU) Embassy's proactive consultations with Department of Foreign Affairs officials, briefing of political leaders, and interactions with media appear to have focused political and media attention constructively on cooperation between U.S. and Filipino authorities, according to the Visiting [...] |
2005-11-03 01:12:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MARR PHUM RP |
| 05MANILA5166 |
ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL THREATS TO DEMOCRACY IN [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY. The Philippines' once again turbulent political environment has sparked new waves of rumors that the President or her advisers are considering emergency rule or martial law, and that elements within the military are seeking to stage a coup. We assess that neither scenario yet [...] |
2005-11-06 09:25:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET//NOFORN | PINS MOPS ASEC PREL RP |
| 05MANILA5231 |
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN ALLEGED RAPE CASE INVOLVING [...] (U) This is an action request -- see para 6. 2. (C) Summary: Acting Foreign Secretary Seguis delivered to Embassy on November 8 formal subpoenas for six US Marines allegedly involved in the rape of a Filipina in Olongapo City on November 1 (see text of Dip Note and DFA press release in [...] |
2005-11-03 01:12:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR ASEC PHUM PGOV PINS RP |
| 05MANILA5261 |
CALL ON PRESIDENT ARROYO [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In a meeting with President Arroyo on November 7, USAID Assistant Administrator for the Asia Near East Bureau (AA/ANE) James R. Kunder and US Embassy Charge d'Affaires (CDA) Paul W. Jones highlighted how the USG's development assistance program carried out by USAID supports Phi [...] |
2005-11-08 05:47:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID KMCA EFIN EINV PREL PHUM RP |
| 05MANILA5276 |
Philippine Airlines Eyes Boeing Purchase [...] (SBU) Philippine Airlines (PAL) plans to re-fleet to remain competitive and fulfill expansion plans. PAL is now considering the purchase of up to twelve wide-body Boeing 777s. The sticking point appears to be a $114 million deposit on aircraft that PAL forfeited when it canceled a Boeing p [...] |
2005-11-08 09:31:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD BEXP EINV EAIR ECON RP |
| 05MANILA5287 |
PHILIPPINES TAKES REACTIVE STANCE TOWARD APEC [...] (SBU) Summary. The GRP views the APEC agenda positively. The GRP's overarching approach to the upcoming APEC meetings is to wait and see what other members put on the table and then react according to RP interests. With respect to WTO Doha Round issues, senior officials express hope for bal [...] |
2005-11-09 07:11:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EPET EAGR PREL RP APEC WTO |
| 05MANILA5291 |
NEW AVIAN FLU "CZAR" WILL FOCUS ON PREVENTION [...] On November 2, President Arroyo appointed Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Domingo Panganiban as the "anti-Avian Flu Czar" supervising avian flu preparedness. Panganiban will lead the National Avian Influenza Task Force (NAITF) that coordinates inter-agency efforts to prevent and cont [...] |
2005-11-09 07:39:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON PINR SOCI EAGR SENV TBIO TSPL RP |
| 05MANILA5300 |
UPDATE ON ALLEGED RAPE CASE INVOLVING US MARINES [...] (C) SUMMARY. Amid continued heightened press coverage of the alleged rape case involving six US Marines, Visiting Forces Agreement Commission (VFACOM) Executive Director Paredes visited the Embassy November 10 to verify that the individuals remained in US custody. In a private meeting with [...] |
2005-11-03 01:12:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR ASEC PHUM PGOV PINS KCRM RP |
| 05MANILA5316 |
AFP ENGAGES ABU SAYYAF TERRORISTS ON JOLO [...] (C) In a significant combat operation, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units engaged Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists on the island of Jolo over the weekend of November 12-13. The AFP initiated the operation, which involved Task Force Comet and elements of the 104th Brigade, 3d Marine [...] |
2005-11-13 11:31:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET//NOFORN | PTER PINS MOPS MARR MCAP RP |
| 05MANILA5317 |
PRESIDENT ARROYO AND FOREIGN SECRETARY ROMULO [...] (C) SUMMARY. President Arroyo expressed appreciation to visiting EAP DAS Eric John and Charge Jones for USG cooperation in the investigation of six US Marines allegedly involved in the November 1 alleged rape of a Filipina in the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), but warned of a polit [...] |
2005-11-13 12:03:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR ASEC PHUM PGOV PINS KCRM RP |
| 05MANILA5326 |
PHILIPPINES/TIP: INTERIM ASSESSMENT [...] (U) Summary. In response to Ref A, this message provides information on the Philippines for the Interim Assessment on the Special Watch List countries due in Congress no later than February 1. The Philippine Department of Justice (DoJ) has trebled the number of prosecutors at the national [...] |
2005-11-14 09:01:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV PREL ELAB KWMN KCRM RP JA |
| 05MANILA5328 |
GRP CONTINUES TO CONSIDER EMERGENCY RULE [...] (S) Summary/Comment: EAP DAS John underscored the USG's firm opposition to the imposition of emergency rule or any other similar measures during separate meetings with President Arroyo, Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, and defense officials on November 11. Both Arroyo and Romulo indicated [...] |
2005-11-14 09:56:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET | PREL PGOV PINS PINR RP |
| 05MANILA5329 |
GRP OFFICIALS REVIEW PHILIPPINE DEFENSE REFORM [...] (C) Summary: In a November 11 meeting with EAP DAS John and Charge, Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Carolina reviewed the Philippine Defense Reform (PDR) process. Carolina asserted that PDR was "embedded" in the system now and did not rely on current Defense Secretary Av [...] |
2005-11-14 10:36:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER ASEC MOPS PGOV PINS EAID RP |
| 05MANILA5331 |
EAP DAS JOHN'S NOVEMBER 11 MEETING WITH PRESIDENT [...] (C) Summary: EAP DAS John and Charge met November 11 with President Arroyo. Arroyo underscored her government's support for Philippine Defense Reform (PDR) and continued counterterrorism cooperation. She expressed interest in the U.S. and the GRP agreeing to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), sa [...] |
2005-11-15 02:07:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR MARR PTER PHUM ETRD RP BM UNSC |
| 05MANILA5344 |
MINDANAO TUNA INDUSTRY AT RISK [...] The tuna industry, which generates $400 million in annual revenues in Mindanao, faces a potential reduction in access to the EU market and restrictions in traditional fishing grounds. Indonesia is reluctant to extend a crucial bilateral fishing agreement beyond December 3. Tuna producers ar [...] |
2005-11-15 09:05:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR EAID PREL PGOV ECON RP WTRO |
| 05MANILA5346 |
AMID CONTINUED NPA ATTACKS, KILLINGS OF LEFTIST [...] (C) Summary: About 40 leftist activists have been killed in the Philippines so far in 2005. These killings, a jump from the number recorded in 2004, come amid a flurry of attacks by the New People's Army (NPA), which have killed and injured many. "Legal" left politicians and activists have [...] |
2005-11-15 09:40:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PTER PINS PREL PINR RP |
| 05MANILA5348 |
ALLEGED RAPE CASE: GRP REQUEST FOR CUSTODY [...] (C) Summary/Comment: In apparent response to a November 17 hearing called by the Congressional Oversight Committee for the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials called in Charge on November 16 to present diplomatic notes asserting GRP positions and i [...] |
2005-11-15 23:10:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR PHUM ASEC KCRM RP |
| 05MANILA5357 |
EAP DAS JOHN LEADS NOVEMBER 11 BILATERAL [...] (C) Summary: EAP DAS John and Charge held extensive discussions on bilateral issues with DFA A/S for American Affairs Abadilla and Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Del Rosario on November 11. DAS John underscored that the primary purpose of his visit to the Philippines was to focus on subst [...] |
2005-11-16 03:53:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PHUM ECON EAID RP UNSC APEC |
| 05MANILA5364 |
A VIEW FROM MANILA'S STREETS: GENERAL PESSIMISM [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please protect accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: Poloff and Pol FSN visited a poor neighborhood in Manila on November 14 to canvass views about residents' lives, politics and the U.S. Filipinos on the streets were generally pessimistic abou [...] |
2005-11-16 07:41:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINR PINS KDEM SOCI PREL KPAO RP |
| 05MANILA5372 |
MEETING WITH MILF CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS [...] (C/NF) Summary. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leaders received a strong message on November 15 from emboffs that the MILF must permanently cut all contacts with terrorist organizations. MILF Vice Chairman for Political Affairs Ghazali Jafaar claimed the MILF remained fully committed [...] |
2005-11-16 10:03:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PTER PREL ASEC PINS MOPS EAID KCRM RP |
| 05MANILA5373 |
TRAINING PHILIPPINE POLICE ON TIP [...] (U) Summary. In a Mission-sponsored workshop on Trafficking in Persons (TIP), participants from the Philippine National Police's (PNP) Women and Children's Concern Division (WCCD) learned about the seriousness of the global issue as well as application of key Philippine TIP legislation. Loc [...] |
2005-11-16 10:18:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PINS PHUM ASEC KCRM RP |
| 05MANILA5382 |
Manila Port Readies for Nuclear Detection [...] (SBU) Port operators and government officials implementing the USDOE Megaports Initiative are eager to see the program operational by mid-2006. Megaports is designed to place equipment at major international ports to scan all incoming containers for the detection of radioactive materials and [...] |
2005-11-17 04:07:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EWWT PTER RP |
| 05MANILA5393 |
TEXT MESSAGE RUMORS SHOW RISING PUBLIC CONCERN [...] This is an information message. -------- SUMMARY -------- 2. The Philippines remains free of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), but recent text message rumors of HPAI cases in the Philippines show rising public awareness and concern over avian flu. The GRP faces increasing chall [...] |
2005-11-17 09:13:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON PINR SOCI EAGR SENV TBIO TSPL RP |
| 05MANILA5396 |
NOVEMBER 18 UPDATE ON ALLEGED RAPE CASE [...] (C) Summary. The six U.S. Marines under investigation in the alleged rape case have been moved to the U.S. Embassy compound as of November 18. NCIS investigators have offered their cooperation to GRP authorities but have only received access to one witness (the driver of the van) so far. CD [...] |
2005-11-17 10:27:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR PHUM ASEC KCRM RP |
| 05MANILA5433 |
NSC CHIEF ON EMERGENCY RULE, NPA, AND TERRORISTS [...] (S) Summary and comment: In a one-on-one meeting with Charge 11/21, National Security chief Bert Gonzales said he has recommended to President Arroyo that she invoke a Constitutional provision "as soon as possible" that would allow her to order the military and police to arrest leftist poli [...] |
2005-11-21 08:46:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET | PINS PREL RP |
| 05MANILA5447 |
PHARMACEUTICAL PATENT PROTECTION ON THE CHOPPING [...] (SBU) Senator Manuel Roxas, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs and the Committee on Trade and Commerce, introduced a bill last month proposing amendments to the RP's Intellectual Property Code (IP) that could significantly weaken intellectual property rights protection for [...] |
2005-11-22 03:12:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD KIPR BEXP RP |
| 05MANILA5457 |
USGS PREPARES WORK PLAN FOR SURVEY OF MINERALS [...] In meetings in Manila with the GRP's senior geologists, a team of experts from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) drafted a work plan for the first phase of a mineral resources assessment of the Philippines. Phase one involves gathering existing data in digital format for release to the publi [...] |
2005-11-22 09:20:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | EMIN SENV EINV ECON BEXP RP |
| 05MANILA5458 |
AVIAN FLU UPDATE [...] This cable responds to questions in Ref A. Post previously reported on avian influenza preparedness (ref E), the GRP's limited surveillance capacity (ref D), the appointment of an Anti-Avian Flu Czar (ref C) and rising public concern in the Philippines over Avian Flu (ref B). --------- SUM [...] |
2005-11-22 09:42:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | TBIO SENV ECON EAGR EAID PREL RP |
| 05MANILA5459 |
UNEVENTFUL PRELIMINARY HEARING IN SUBIC RAPE CASE [...] (SBU) This is an action request by OOB November 25 -- see para 8. 2. (SBU) Summary. The preliminary hearing in the case of six Marines allegedly involved in the rape of a 22-year old Filipina at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) began November 23 at the Olongapo City Prosecuto [...] |
2005-11-03 01:12:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MARR ASEC PHUM PGOV KCRM CASC RP |
| 05MANILA5460 |
MILF/US TIES: A NEW BALLGAME [...] (C/NF) Summary. According to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiator, each major constituency of the MILF was represented in the November 15 meeting between MILF Central Committee members and Emboffs, and the MILF leadership recognized the Embassy approach was a "different ball game. [...] |
2005-11-22 10:53:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL ASEC PINS MOPS EAID MA RP |
| 05MANILA5482 |
GARCI'S RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES: WILL IT BRING [...] (C) Summary: Former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano's reappearance in the Philippines after almost four months overseas has sent ripples through political circles and led to speculation and rumors about the timing and purpose of his return. Both the pro-Ar [...] |
2005-11-24 07:48:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS PINR RP |
| 05MANILA5483 |
CASH COURIERS IN THE PHILIPPINES [...] (SBU) Embassy appreciates efforts to coordinate and address the issue of cash couriers as a critical element in thwarting money laundering and potential terrorist financing. We agree with the strategic picture presented in reftel and concur that it contains the major elements of a draft str [...] |
2005-11-24 08:17:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN PTER RP |
| 05MANILA5505 |
FINANCE SECRETARY NONCOMMITAL ON DOHA ROUND; [...] (SBU) Finance Secretary Teves acknowledged to Charge that the GRP needs to do more to address public skepticism over the benefits of lower tariffs and progress in the WTO Doha Round. Teves was grateful for U.S. assistance and advice on improving the efficiency of revenue collection, a key are [...] |
2005-11-28 09:38:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON EFIN ENRG PREL EINV RP |
| 05MANILA5506 |
PERCEPTIONS OF THE COMMUNIST THREAT IN THE [...] (C) Summary: Asia's longest surviving Communist insurgency remains entrenched in the social and political landscape of the Philippines. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) is currently attempting to exploit domestic political tensions to force the Arroyo Administration from power, b [...] |
2005-11-28 09:57:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINS PTER RP NL NO |
| 05MANILA5507 |
FIVE OF SIX MARINES SUBMIT COUNTER-AFFIDAVITS [...] (SBU) Summary. Five of t | ||||