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| Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01KUALALUMPUR2464 | MALAYSIA PROBES MISUARI TIES TO ABU SAYYAF GROUP [...] (C) SUMMARY: CONCERNED THAT ANY CHARGES FILED AGAINST NUR MISUARI HERE WOULD PROVOKE A DOMESTIC BACKLASH, MALAYSIAN OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO INSIST THEY ARE PREPARED TO DEPORT THE MORO NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT (MNLF) LEADER TO THE PHILIPPINES. NEVERTHELESS, MALAYSIA'A SECURITY APPARATUS IS INCR [...] |
2001-11-28 09:45:00 | Embassy Kuala Lumpur | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL PINS MY RP |
| 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 |
| 02VATICAN4909 | HOLY SEE: FM TAURAN REPLY TO SECRETARY'S LETTER ON [...] (SBU) IN HIS REPLY TO SECRETARY POWELL'S LETTER REQUESTING A STRONG HOLY SEE STATEMENT REGARDING THE SAFETY OF U.S. BIOTECH FOOD ASSISTANCE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (REF B), HOLY SEE FOREIGN MINISTER EQUIVALENT ARCHBISHOP JEAN-LOUIS TAURAN GAVE NO INDICATION THAT THE HOLY SEE WOULD OFFER A STRONG [...] |
2002-10-08 14:36:00 | Embassy Vatican | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL ECON EAID EAGR SENV SOCI ZA RP VT VTPREL |
| 02VATICAN5625 | AMBASSADOR NICHOLSON'S MEETING ON BIOTECH WITH [...] (U) SUMMARY: AMBASSADOR CALLED ON HOLY SEE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER EQUIVALENT LEONARDO SANDRI NOVEMBER 16 TO EXPRESS U.S. CONCERN OVER THE LACK OF HOLY SEE INVOLVEMENT REGARDING THE GROWING THREAT OF HUNGER AND STARVATION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA AND, SPECIFICALLY, THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT'S REJECTION [...] |
2002-11-19 14:51:00 | Embassy Vatican | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL ECON EAID EAGR SENV SOCI ZA RP VT VTPREL |
| 03THEHAGUE2340 | NPA-GOP PEACE TALKS: DUTCH WEIGHING SISON [...] (C) Press reports (cited in reftels) have pointed to preparations for September 20-21 exploratory peace talks between the New People's Army and Government of the Philippines in Oslo. The Dutch government told us that NPA leader Sison has applied for permission to leave the Netherlands to att [...] |
2003-09-17 13:24:00 | Embassy The Hague | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER ETTC RP NO EUN |
| 04ABUDHABI3209 | TIP CASES SHOW UAE STILL CHALLENGED [...] (U) This is an action request for G/TIP and NEA/ARPI country desk, please see paragraph 9. 2. (C) SUMMARY: A number of recent trafficking cases in the UAE point to the continuing challenges in the TIP arena here. There is a growing difference in views between Dubai police and public prosec [...] |
2004-09-16 06:04:00 | Embassy Abu Dhabi | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL TC IN NP RP |
| 04HANOI330 | TIP IN VIETNAM: VISIT OF G/TIP PROGRAM OFFICER [...] Summary: G/TIP Foreign Affairs Officer Gregory Holliday's meetings in Vietnam were productive and reflected the hard work and effort Vietnam is putting into the fight against trafficking in persons. He heard about the GVN's increasing attention to trafficking and about recent changes to how [...] |
2004-02-06 09:55:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED | KWMN KCRM ELAB CB CH MY RP VM OMIG TIP LABOR |
| 04KUWAIT2496 | IRAQ TRAVEL BAN: US MILITARY PRESSES INDIA AND [...] (C) SUMMARY. The Embassy hosted an August 5 meeting between representatives of the Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC) and representatives from the Indian and Phillipines Embassies concerning the travel ban that both India and the Philippines have imposed, prohibiting their natio [...] |
2004-08-07 13:10:00 | Embassy Kuwait | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB MOPS PREL PHUM ETRD EAID KU IZ IN RP |
| 04KUWAIT2542 | IRAQ TRAVEL BAN: IMPACT ON US MILITARY CONTRACTORS [...] (C) SUMMARY. Econoff spoke on August 10 with the two major US military contractors transporting supplies for US operations in Iraq, to see how the travel ban preventing Indian and Filipino workers from entering Iraq is affecting their operations. Altanmia, which holds the Defense Energy Sup [...] |
2004-08-10 12:22:00 | Embassy Kuwait | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB MOPS PREL PHUM ETRD EAID KU IZ IN RP |
| 04KUWAIT350 | (C) TIP: KUWAITI EFFORT TO HELP REPATRIATE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Kuwaiti Ambassador to Indonesia is working with the Kuwait Red Crescent Society and the Indonesian Embassy to expedite repatriation of domestic servants stranded in Kuwait, and to ensure payment of wages owed to them. He hopes to be able to extend this initiative to Filipin [...] |
2004-01-31 12:57:00 | Embassy Kuwait | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM ELAB PGOV SOCI PREL KU ID RP |
| 04KUWAIT3684 | PHILIPPINES REQUESTS KUWAIT RECONSIDER DECISION TO [...] No summary [...] |
2004-10-27 13:40:00 | Embassy Kuwait | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB MOPS PREL PHUM ETRD EAID KU IZ RP |
| 04RANGOON249 | FILIPINO ENVOY MAKES LOW-KEY VISIT TO BURMA [...] (C) Summary: Filipino Foreign Secretary Albert made her debut visit to Burma February 18-19 to get to know her Burmese counterpart and to resurrect a moribund Burma-Philippines Joint Commission. Her public remarks were laudatory of regime road map efforts. However, she did not meet with the [...] |
2004-02-25 10:06:00 | Embassy Rangoon | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV BM RP |
| 05BANGKOK3205 | THAILAND: CO-CHAIRING THE ARF/ISG [...] (U) Poloff delivered reftel talking points to Urawadee Sriphiromya of the MFA Department of ASEAN Affairs. Urawadee said the RTG was appreciative of the United States' willingness to con-chair the ARF/ISG in Honolulu, October 17-19, 2005, and as dialogue partners, looked forward to coordina [...] |
2005-05-13 10:31:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | MARR PREL AORC XB RP TH |
| 05BRASILIA3060 | TERRORIST FINANCE: ASG PRENOTIFICATION - BRAZIL [...] No summary [...] |
2005-11-21 16:44:00 | Embassy Brasilia | SECRET | EFIN KTFN PTER PREL ETTC RP BR |
| 05CANBERRA1461 | AUSTRALIA-PHILIPPINES MINISTERIAL FURTHERS CT [...] (C) SUMMARY: The inaugural Australia-Philippines Ministerial Meeting (APMM), held in Canberra August 11-12, focused on security issues, in particular strengthening joint efforts by Australia and the Philippines to combat the terrorist threat in the region. The two governments agreed to star [...] |
2005-08-30 06:41:00 | Embassy Canberra | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER AS RP |
| 05DHAKA3977 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR MR. NOEL ANDERSON, [...] Embassy Dhaka welcomes Mr. Noel Anderson on his o/a August 14 - August 18, 2005 visit and grants country clearance, contingent repeat contingent on obtaining a Bangladeshi visa in their passport prior to arrival in Bangladesh (see Paragraph 3.D. and 3.E. below). The purpose of the visit is to [...] |
2005-08-11 07:42:00 | Embassy Dhaka | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA BG RP |
| 05DUBLIN1426 | TERRORIST FINANCE: ASG PRENOTIFICATION [...] No summary [...] |
2005-11-23 09:43:00 | Embassy Dublin | SECRET | EFIN KTFN PTER PREL ETTC RP EI |
| 05GENEVA2767 | DUNANT CENTRE FACILITATING PHILIPPINE-MNLF TALKS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue briefed interested Missions November 2 on its efforts to mediate final implementation of the 1996 peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The effort grew out of concern th [...] |
2005-11-10 11:38:00 | US Mission Geneva | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS PGOV PINR PREL PTER RP MNLF |
| 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 |
| 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 the six Marines accused of involvement in the alleged rape of a Filipina submitted counter-affidavits in the second preliminary hearing on November 29. The attorney for the sixth, LCPL Smith, said his client wanted to know the nature and consequences of the complaint [...] |
2005-11-03 01:12:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MARR ASEC PHUM PGOV KCRM CASC RP |
| 05MANILA5510 | SCENE SETTER FOR DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE [...] (S/NF) Summary. Comprehensive counterterrorism efforts -- ranging from the military to humanitarian to public diplomacy -- top the broad U.S. agenda in the Philippines' still struggling democracy. In Manila, you will meet President Arroyo, former President Ramos, Executive Secretary Ermita, [...] |
2005-11-28 11:38:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PINR ASEC OVIP PINS MOPS MARR PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA5519 | Turning Bad Loans into Good Assets [...] (SBU) The Philippine Central Bank (BSP) has cleaned up 19% of the non-performing assets (NPAs) in the banking system through the Special Purposes Vehicle (SPV) law. Although the BSP target was 50%, it reduced the amount of NPAs to 9% of total bank assets. By forming an SPV, companies can bu [...] |
2005-11-30 07:12:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN EINV RP |
| 05MANILA5521 | EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS IN DAVAO AND CEBU HIT NEW [...] (SBU) Summary: Justice Secretary Gonzalez has issued the first public statement by a high-ranking Philippine administration official on the extra-judicial killings of suspected criminals in Davao and Cebu, which continue to increase. This year, at least 147 have been killed in Davao and 104 [...] |
2005-11-30 07:51:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PINR SOCI PREL RP |
| 05MANILA5606 | SCENESETTER FOR G/TIP DIRECTOR AMBASSADOR JOHN [...] (SBU) Summary. Our strategic relations with the Philippines are important to both countries, and we generally work together constructively on global issues, including Trafficking in Persons (TIP). The GRP publicly condemns trafficking and has enacted strong laws to combat it. However, the a [...] |
2005-12-01 10:39:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EAID ELAB KCRM PHUM KPAO RP HK |
| 05MANILA5619 | SCENE SETTER FOR SENATOR CHRISTOPHER BOND [...] (S/NF) Summary. Comprehensive counterterrorism efforts -- ranging from the military to humanitarian to public diplomacy -- top the broad U.S. agenda in the Philippines' still struggling democracy. In Manila, you will meet President Arroyo, National Security Advisor Gonzales, National Intell [...] |
2005-12-02 06:45:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PINR ASEC OVIP PINS MOPS MARR PGOV RP |
| 05MANILA5633 | GRP CONVICTS FIRST TRAFFICKERS UNDER ANTI-TIP LAW [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: A court in Batangas City, Luzon recently convicted the first three individuals under a 2003 anti- trafficking law. The defendants, facing a serious charge with the potential for a long jail te [...] |
2005-12-02 08:46:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM KWMN ELAB KCRM RP |
| 05MANILA5637 | MILF REPRESENTATIVES UNVEIL ISLAMIC ECONOMIC [...] (C) Summary: Three executives from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF's) development arm -- the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) -- represented MILF Vice-Chairman for Political Affairs Ghazali Jafaar during a November 23 special closed door session of the Philippine Business Leader [...] |
2005-12-02 09:18:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINS PTER RP |
| 05MANILA5647 | COURT-MARTIAL FINDS GENERAL GARCIA GUILTY [...] (U) On the afternoon of December 2, a general court martial board sentenced retired Major General Carlos Garcia to dishonorable dismissal, forfeiture of military retirement benefits, and two years of hard labor at a military prison. The military court found Garcia, a former military comptroll [...] |
2005-12-02 09:57:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PINR KCOR ECON RP |
| 05MANILA5688 | PRESIDENT ARROYO APPOINTS NEW OMBUDSMAN TO LEAD [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: President Arroyo has named her Chief Legal Counsel, Maria Merceditas "Mercy" Gutierrez, as the new Ombudsman for the Philippines. Gutierrez, a 1995 participant in the State Department's Intern [...] |
2005-12-06 08:50:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KCOR KWMN ECON EAID PINR RP |
| 05MANILA5709 | FURTHER GROUNDWORK ON PROPOSED TRILATERAL [...] (C/NF) Summary. The Japanese are now seeking to shift the dates of the proposed Trilateral Terrorism Cooperation Conference in Manila from mid-January to early February 2006. The primary focus of the meeting would be on maritime security, with help for Philippine National Police (PNP) refor [...] |
2005-12-07 08:49:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL PGOV ASEC AS JA RP |
| 05MANILA5710 | TIP: TWO DEFENDANTS SENTENCED TO LIFE [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (U) Summary: On December 5, a regional court in Zamboanga City, Mindanao, sentenced two members of a trafficking syndicate to life imprisonment for recruiting a victim and selling her to a brothel in Malaysia [...] |
2005-12-07 09:02:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL KWMN ELAB KCRM RP MY |
| 05MANILA5734 | TESTIMONY OF FORMER ELECTORAL OFFICIAL BEFORE [...] (C) Summary: Former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) official Virgilio Garcillano's House testimony on December 7 did not bring closure to the "Hello Garci" audiotape controversy involving President Arroyo. Garcillano refused to comment directly on the audiotapes, but firmly denied rigging [...] |
2005-12-08 07:32:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KCOR PINS PINR EAID RP |
| 05MANILA5749 | CONVICTION IN MEDIA KILLING, BUT SLAYINGS CONTINUE [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: A Philippine court has sentenced a former policeman to life imprisonment for murdering a journalist, the first such conviction since 2000. The Philippines, however, remains a very dangerous pl [...] |
2005-12-09 07:27:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PINS KCOR KPAO RP |
| 05MANILA5755 | PROSECUTOR CONCLUDES PRELIMINARY HEARINGS IN SUBIC [...] (SBU) Summary: The prosecutor presiding over alleged rape case hearings involving six US Marines announced that the December 9 preliminary investigation hearing would be the last. He gave all parties a deadline of December 19 to submit all memoranda, after which he will determine whether th [...] |
2005-11-03 01:12:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MARR ASEC PHUM PGOV KCRM CASC RP |
| 05MANILA5781 | G/TIP AMBASSADOR MILLER'S DECEMBER 3-6 VISIT: [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (U) Summary: G/TIP Director Ambassador John Miller visited the Philippines December 3-6 to evaluate GRP progress in addressing serious problems that resulted in its Tier Two Watch List rating in 2004 and 2005 [...] |
2005-12-12 08:14:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL KWMN ELAB KCRM RP MY JP |
| 05MANILA5790 | GRP WILL SUPPORT U.S. AT MONTREAL PROTOCOL MEETING [...] (SBU) Charge met with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Defensor on December 7 and delivered points in ref A. Defensor said he would instruct the GRP's delegation to support approval of a critical use exemption for the United States (26.4 percent) in accordance [...] |
2005-12-13 04:17:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV AORC EAGR ETRD PREL PINS EMIN RP |
| 05MANILA5794 | EMBASSY MANILA MARKS HUMAN RIGHTS WEEK WITH ONLINE [...] (U) Summary: On December 12, Mission hosted an online discussion to mark Human Rights Week, with participation from the GRP's Commission on Human Rights and a local human rights NGO. Participants in the chat reviewed U.S. advocacy of human rights and democracy, and the human rights situation [...] |
2005-12-13 06:25:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL PGOV KDEM KPAO RP |
| 05MANILA5799 | SENATOR BOND'S DECEMBER 9 MEETING WITH PRESIDENT [...] (C) Summary. U.S. Senator Christopher S. Bond, accompanied by CDA Paul W. Jones, met with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on December 9. President Arroyo pledged support for U.S. trade liberalization proposals at the WTO Ministerial Meeting in Hong Kong and for the U.S. efforts to encoura [...] |
2005-12-13 09:23:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER ETRD EINV RP BM CH KS |
| 05MANILA5800 | MIXED SIGNALS FROM MANILA ON WTO DOHA ROUND [...] (C) SUMMARY. President Arroyo expressed unequivocal support December 9 for the US position at this week's WTO ministerial meeting in Hong Kon (septel), but other senior GRP officials have told us that the Philippines will "wait and see" before taking a position. We would welcome feedback o [...] |
2005-12-13 09:38:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD EAGR ECON RP WTRO |
| 05MANILA5806 | SEARCH FOR NEW SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE NARROWS [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: The GRP's Judicial and Bar Council has submitted to President Arroyo its "short list" -- consisting of the three most senior associate justices -- to succeed current Supreme Court Chief Justice [...] |
2005-12-14 03:33:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KCOR PREL ECON EAID ETRD PINR RP |
| 05MANILA5838 | RECOMMENDATION TO REMOVE PHILIPPINES FROM SPECIAL [...] (SBU) Summary. Embassy recommends removing the Philippines from USTR's Special 301 Priority Watch List and placing it on the Watch List. The GRP has responded to the Special 301 out-of-cycle review by stepping up IPR protection. While there is still much to be done, it is important that th [...] |
2005-12-15 07:50:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD KIPR RP |
| 05MANILA5839 | POWERFUL LOBBY AND QUESTIONABLE LOBBY BACK [...] (SBU) Econ Counselor met with Department of Health Undersecretary Padilla on December 12 to urge GRP to consult fully with industry representatives before signing the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs) of the Philippines "Milk Code" into law. Padilla provided a copy of the lat [...] |
2005-12-15 08:19:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD ECON RP |
| 05MANILA5844 | FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY DECLARES HIMSELF [...] (C) Summary: Inveterate plotter and former defense secretary Fortunado Abat declared himself "President" of a SIPDIS "Revolutionary Transition Government" at a December 13 press conference held in Manila. In reaction, the GRP reportedly detained him on December 15. Amid the on-and-off sw [...] |
2005-12-15 08:54:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PREL PINR RP |
| 05MANILA5847 | SENATOR BOND MEETS WITH GRP OFFICIALS, U.S. [...] (C) Summary. Senator Christopher S. Bond visited the Philippines December 7-10, meeting with Philippine government and military officials and local American business leaders. Senator Bond spoke with President Arroyo the possibility of developing regional structures along the lines of the Org [...] |
2005-12-15 10:20:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PGOV ASEC EINV MOPS RP APEC |
| 05MANILA5861 | HUMAN RIGHTS/LABOR: USG-FUNDED ANTI-CHILD LABOR [...] (U) Summary: Focusing on key human rights and labor items, poloff and pol LES visited Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental Province in the Central Philippines, December 13-14. A USDOL-funded anti-child labor project in the area is proceeding well. Conditions at a local shelter run by the GRP [...] |
2005-12-16 06:22:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL PGOV ELAB KDEM KPAO RP |
| 05MANILA5864 | Avian Flu-Related Trade Restrictions on Poultry [...] This cable confirms delivery of ref A talking points to the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). It also provides information requested in ref A on poultry market trends and GRP import restrictions. The GRP appears to follow guidelines of the World O [...] |
2005-12-16 07:57:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON PINR SOCI EAGR SENV TBIO TSPL RP |
| 05MANILA587 | POLICE ACTIVELY INVESTIGATING STRING OF [...] (C) Summary: Cebu city remains abuzz about a recent string of extrajudicial killings that has taken upwards of 25 lives. Philippine National Police (PNP) officials confirmed that PNP is actively investigating the slayings, which have divided the city, with the Cardinal and some key local po [...] |
2005-02-07 09:06:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PHUM PINS PINR SNAR RP |
| 05MANILA5877 | FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY RELEASED AFTER BEING [...] (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: Former defense secretary Fortunado Abat and three members of his self-proclaimed "Revolutionary Transition Government" were released on December 16 -- a day after police detained them for quest [...] |
2005-12-19 09:09:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINS PREL PINR RP |
| 05MANILA5914 | PRESIDENT ARROYO APPOINTS NEW SUPREME COURT CHIEF [...] (SBU) Summary: On December 20, President Arroyo appointed Associate Justice Artemio V. Panganiban, 69, as the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. Panganiban is a well-respected, articulate jurist and is expected to continue the judicial reforms begun by his predecess [...] |
2005-12-21 09:21:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KCOR PREL ECON EAID ETRD PINR RP |
| 05MANILA5922 | NEW FORD ENGINE PLANT TO FUEL EXPORT MARKET [...] (SBU) Ford announced plans to invest USD 30 million in the Philippines to build a flexible fuel engine plant during a meeting with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, and the Charge on December 20,. The plant will make the Philippines Ford's third l [...] |
2005-12-22 03:08:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EAGR ECON KIPR RP WTRO |
| 05MANILA5924 | KRAFT SOUR OVER TANG TARIFF DISPUTE [...] (SBU) Kraft Foods Philippines Inc. (KFPI) is frustrated by a 2004 tariff reclassification that effectively raised the tariff rate on imported powdered beverage products Tang and Kool-Aid from three percent to 48 percent. The ruling is currently being contested in the courts, but if upheld, [...] |
2005-12-22 03:15:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ETRD BEXP RP |
| 05MANILA5927 | PHILIPPINES 2005 INSCR PART II: FINANCIAL [...] (U) The following text is the proposed International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, Part II, Financial Crimes and Money Laundering, for the Philippines for 2005- 2006. Post used the questions in reftel as the basis for collecting information and assessing the current situation for the [...] |
2005-12-22 04:08:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN KTFN PTER SNAR KCRM KSEP RP |
| 05MANILA5929 | INDONESIA ALLOWS ONE-YEAR TRANSITION TO REFLAG [...] No summary [...] |
2005-12-22 07:34:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | EAGR EAID PREL PGOV ECON RP WTRO |
| 05MANILA5937 | Boeing eyes Cape Town Treaty benefits for airplane [...] (SBU) Boeing Sales Representative Ray Lau updated emboffs on the status of his proposal to Philippine Airlines (PAL) and confided that he is making progress toward the sale of up to 12 wide body aircraft. Lau said it would greatly benefit all Philippine airlines if the GRP ratified the Cape [...] |
2005-12-23 02:38:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ETRD BEXP RP |
| 05MANILA5947 | CONTRASTING VIEWS FROM OPPOSITION LEADERS IN [...] (C) Summary: Charge recently held separate meetings with key Opposition figures Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and House Minority Leader Francis "Chiz" Escudero. Lacson and Escudero were a contrast in perspectives and style. Lacson predicted that new impeachment charges would be filed agains [...] |
2005-12-23 06:59:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS PINR RP |
| 05MANILA5950 | PHILIPPINES: 2005 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM [...] (U) Post's 2005 narrative update of the Philippine portion of the 2004 Patterns of Global Terrorism report is provided below. The information is keyed to specific reftel requests. 2. (U) Summary. The Philippines, one of the earliest supporters in the global coalition against terrorism, [...] |
2005-12-23 07:25:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER PREL PGOV ASEC MOPS RP |
| 05MANILA5951 | Banking System More Stable But Still Vulnerable [...] (SBU) The Philippine Government is working to overcome the reputation of the banking sector as weak and inefficient with insufficient oversight. Although it remains fragmented, the central bank has successfully encouraged consolidation and has introduced many reforms to strengthen banks and [...] |
2005-12-23 08:02:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EFIN ECON PGOV EINV RP |
| 05MANILA5964 | MAKING THE MOST OUT OF THE "MERCY" [...] (SBU) Summary. A visit by the USNS Mercy to the Philippines could contribute significantly to our program of civil-military operations (CMO) in the Sulu Archipelago and have a positive impact our counterterrorism efforts there. Some additional support, e.g., medium-lift helicopters, may be n [...] |
2005-12-27 09:30:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MARR MOPS PHUM RP |
| 05MANILA5965 | PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES DRAW CRITICISM [...] (C) Summary: A Malacanang-created "Consultative Commission" has submitted to President Arroyo its final report on proposed changes to the 1987 Constitution, which include a transformation from a presidential to a parliamentary system of government. The report, which is advisory in nature, r [...] |
2005-12-27 09:44:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PHUM SOCI ECON RP |
| 05MANILA5966 | PROSECUTOR FILES CHARGES AGAINST FOUR MARINES IN [...] (SBU) Summary. The Olongapo City Prosecutor filed charges on December 27 against four of the six Marines under investigation for the alleged rape of a Filipina. In comments to the media, the prosecutor said he intended to seek custody of the four Marines once the court had issued arrest war [...] |
2005-11-03 01:12:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MARR ASEC PHUM PGOV KCRM CASC RP |
| 05MANILA5983 | TELECOM UPDATE: GRP ENCOURAGES INTERNET TELEPHONY [...] The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued recent rulings lowering entry barriers to encourage the development of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. The decisions should reduce international rates but will have less impact on lucrative cellular services, which have ecl [...] |
2005-12-28 08:18:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ECPS EINV ETRD ECIN RP APEC |
| 05MANILA5987 | TWO MARINES EXIT THE PHILIPPINES [...] (SBU) Corporal Corey Burris and Lance Corporal Albert Lara departed the Philippines via US military aircraft at 4:40 p.m. local time on December 28, following the dismissal by the Olongapo City prosecutor the previous day of the complaint against them in the case of the alleged November 1 rap [...] |
2005-12-28 09:40:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MARR ASEC PHUM PGOV KCRM CASC RP |
| 05MANILA5988 | GRP ORDERS LARGE SUGAR PLANTATION TO DISTRIBUTE [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: The GRP has upheld a recommendation by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to expropriate the "Hacienda Luisita" sugar plantation located in Tarlac, north of Manila, and distribute it to farm [...] |
2005-12-28 09:58:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV ECON ELAB PHUM SOCI PINS RP |
| 05MANILA6039 | TIP: TWO MORE TRAFFICKERS SENTENCED TO LIFE [...] (U) Summary: On December 27, a court in Metro Manila sentenced a husband and wife to life imprisonment for peddling victims -- including some minors -- into sexual servitude. A top GRP prosecutor (and former IVP grantee) spearheaded the government's legal team that netted the convictions. [...] |
2005-12-29 09:40:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREL KWMN ELAB KCRM RP |
| 05MANILA630 | CORRECTED COPY: JOLO FIGHTING LEAVES OVER 50 DEAD [...] (U) This is a corrected copy of Manila 621. The Summary reported incorrectly that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was involved in the recent clashes. The Summary should read that the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was involved, as is indicated below. The body of Manila 621 [...] |
2005-02-09 23:32:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PINS PINR PREL MOPS RP |
| 05MANILA655 | MEETING WITH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROMULO [...] (C) Summary. In a meeting with Ambassador on February 9, Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo reiterated the GRP's commitment to combating trafficking-in-persons while working with Japan on implementation of new regulations on entertainers, confirmed that the de-listing as a terrorist organizat [...] |
2005-02-10 08:44:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KWMN PHUM PTER BM IZ SU JA RP |
| 05MANILA682 | MILF DISTANCES SELF FROM JOLO FIGHTING AS [...] (SBU) Summary. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has clearly distanced itself from the ongoing fighting in Sulu Province and has now offered to broker a cease-fire. The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leadership has also called for restraint, as fighting stretched into the fifth [...] |
2005-02-11 08:15:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PINS PREL MOPS RP |
| 05MANILA683 | ADMIRAL FARGO'S TALKS WITH SECRETARY OF NATIONAL [...] (C) SUMMARY. Secretary of Defense Cruz presented to Admiral Fargo in February 9 discussions a new framework for US-RP counterterrorism cooperation. "Kapit Bisig" would encompass humanitarian/civil affairs, exercises, and operations. Cruz expressed confidence that such a framework, which inc [...] |
2005-02-11 08:20:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR MOPS RP |
| 05MANILA705 | SITREP Ol: NEAR SIMULTANEOUS BOMBS ROCK THREE [...] (SBU) Three near simultaneous explosions rocked Manila and two cities in the southern Philippines around 7:OO pm local time February 14. Dozens of casualties are reported but no firm figurcs are yet available. No Amcits are reported injured or killed. Media reports link the Abu Sayyaf Grou [...] |
2005-02-14 13:26:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PREL ASEC PINS RP |
| 05MANILA724 | GRP PREPARES FOR AUGUST ELECTIONS IN MINDANAO AND [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: Executive branch and Commission on Elections (COMELEC) sources confirm that regional assembly (ARMM) elections in Mindanao are on track to take place in August 2005. Nationwide neighborhood (b [...] |
2005-02-15 07:35:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PINR EAID SOCI RP |
| 05MANILA727 | ASG (IN CONCERT WITH JI) LEADING SUSPECTS IN [...] (C) The terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) heads the list of prime suspects in the February 14 series of three bombings in Manila and Mindanao that, according to media reports, left at least 11 Filipinos dead and 136 injured. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has publicly condemned the bombings [...] |
2005-02-15 08:34:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL ASEC PINS RP |
| 05MANILA729 | CPP/NPA DENOUNCES BALIKATAN EXERCISE [...] (SBU) On February 11, Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal, the spokesman for the Communist Party of the Philippines/New Peoples Army (CPP/NPA), denounced the upcoming annual Balikatan exercise as "a blatant mockery of Philippine sovereignty." Rosal claimed US troops intended to "interfere" in the armed [...] |
2005-02-15 23:57:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS MARR PREL PINS RP |
| 05MANILA835 | SULU UPDATE: MAJOR FIGHTING GIVES WAY TO GUERRILLA [...] (C) Summary. Fighting has subsided on Jolo Island but intermittent skirmishes continue. The military continues pursuit operations against enemy forces now employing guerrilla tactics by squad-sized units. The fighting has so far displaced over 32,000 people. Often impassable roads -- susc [...] |
2005-02-23 08:40:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PINS PINR PREL MOPS PREF RP |
| 05MANILA84 | LATEST PROGRESS ON ANTI-CORRUPTION [...] (C) SUMMARY: The President's new anti-corruption czar has requested Embassy's cooperation, which Embassy officers will provide in addition to ongoing coordination with the Office of the Ombudsman. The GRP is making progress on some new high profile corruption cases, most recently charging an [...] |
2005-01-06 08:45:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KCOR PREL MARR ECON PINR RP |
| 05MANILA887 | CATHOLIC CHURCH MEDIATING VOLATILE LABOR DISPUTE [...] (C) Summary: The Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is actively attempting to mediate a complex labor dispute at Hacienda Luisita, a large sugar plantation located north of Manila owned by the Cory Aquino/Cojuangco family. The GRP's National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) [...] |
2005-02-28 08:12:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ELAB PINS RP |
| 05MANILA9 | PHILIPPINES/TIP: INTERIM ASSESSMENT REPORT [...] (SBU) Dep Pol/C and poloff reviewed the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Interim Assessment Report (ref a) for the Philippines in a meeting with Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) Americas Division Director Marc De Borja on January 3. Dep Pol/C noted that the report had flagged areas of progres [...] |
2005-01-03 08:05:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PHUM ELAB KWMN KCRM SMIG RP JA |
| 05MANILA971 | PHILIPPINES: FIFTH ANNUAL ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN [...] (U) Mission,s fifth annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report follows below. The report covers the period from March 2004 through March 2005. Point of contact (POC) is Political Officer David C. Maness, ManessDC@State.Gov, (632) 528-6300 x5165, fax (632) 523-1195. Rank of TIP action offic [...] |
2005-03-01 08:25:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KWMN KCRM SMIG KFRD ASEC PREF ELAB RP |
| 05PARIS8002 | TERRORIST FINANCE: ASG PRENOTIFICATION - FRENCH [...] No summary [...] |
2005-11-23 16:07:00 | Embassy Paris | SECRET | EFIN KTFN PTER PREL ETTC RP FR |
| 05RANGOON1053 | BURMA: ASEAN PERSPECTIVES - PART I [...] (C) Summary: Charge's courtesy calls on four ASEAN Ambassadors revealed differing, but in the end negative, views on Burma's future. While the departing Malaysian and Bruneian ambassadors were blunt in their negative assessments of the current conditions, the relatively new Singaporean ambass [...] |
2005-09-14 09:59:00 | Embassy Rangoon | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON EINV BM RP SN MY BX |
| 05RANGOON266 | BURMA: PM SOE WIN GETS BLUNT ADVICE FROM FILIPINO [...] (C) Summary: The Burmese regime's new Prime Minister, Soe Win, recently visited Manila and, as we've heard it, received a friendly though fairly blunt message from President Arroyo: the international community expects a timetable for the regime's road map; the process will not be accepted wit [...] |
2005-03-02 06:06:00 | Embassy Rangoon | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV BM RP |
| 05SINGAPORE3352 | ADMIRAL FALLON DISCUSSES BILATERAL SECURITY [...] (C) SUMMARY: Admiral Fallon, accompanied by Charge Fergin, met separately on November 14 with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to discuss bilateral security cooperation and regional issues, most prominently, China. In open and relaxed discussions, both leaders [...] |
2005-11-23 07:22:00 | Embassy Singapore | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR PREL PTER PGOV ID SN TH MY RP |
| 05TAIPEI2061 | NSC WARNS OF ENHANCED PRC INTEL COLLECTION IN THE [...] (S) National Security Council (NSC) Deputy Secretary General Henry Ko told AIT that Philippine intelligence officials recently warned their Taiwan counterparts that Beijing has formally requested the establishment of two new consulates, one in Davao, Mindanao and the other in Loag, on the nort [...] |
2005-05-06 07:36:00 | American Institute Taiwan, Taipei | SECRET | PREL PINR RP CH TW |
| 05TAIPEI3288 | INSIGHT INTO EAST ASIA MONEY LAUNDERING [...] (S) Summary. A Hong Kong private investigator discussed with AIT Econ on July 14 his ongoing investigation into three unlicensed Taiwan money brokers that have been sending U.S. dollar bank and travelers' checks to his client, a Hong Kong bank. The investigator had come to Taiwan to determin [...] |
2005-08-08 18:05:00 | American Institute Taiwan, Taipei | SECRET | ECON PINR KCRM KTFN RP TW |
| 05VATICAN500 | VATICAN CONFIRMS IT PRESSURED FILIPINO BISHOPS [...] (C) Holy See Country Director for the Philippines Monsignor Luis Montemayor confirmed July 14 that the Vatican pressured the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) not to support protests calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Montemayor noted that t [...] |
2005-07-15 16:28:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PREL SOCI RP VT |
| 06ABUDHABI2133 | PHILIPPINES INQUIRY ABOUT PIRATED VESSEL, CREW [...] (C) Summary: The Philippines Ambassador to the UAE, Mr. Libran N. Cabactulan, called on Ambassador May 23 to discuss the status of the vessel M/T Lin 1 and its crew of 20 Filipinos seized by Somali pirates on March 29. Cabactulan said that his government wanted to know if the U.S. Navy was co [...] |
2006-05-23 11:16:00 | Embassy Abu Dhabi | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER ASEC PREL RP SO AE |
| 06ABUDHABI3101 | CONCLUSION TO PIRATED VESSEL EPISODE [...] (C) Reftel noted the Philippines Ambassador to the UAE's concerns about the safety of the 20-member Filipino crew of a UAE-based vessel, the M/T Lin 1, which was at the time in the hands of Somali pirates. We now understand, from Philippines Ambassador Libran Cabactulan and media reports that [...] |
2006-07-31 12:35:00 | Embassy Abu Dhabi | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER ASEC PREL RP SO AE |
| 06BANGKOK194 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO BANGKOK FOR STAFFDEL STOPHER [...] (U) Embassy Bangkok warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to STAFFDEL Stopher to travel to Thailand from January 17 to January 19, 2006, per REFTEL. 2. (U) Embassy Point of Contact (POC) David Marsden, Deputy Chief, SA. Work phone: 66-2-205-4988, Cell: 66-1-205-0474 Fax: 66-2-2 [...] |
2006-01-11 08:02:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN CB RP TH UK VM |
| 06BANGKOK253 | REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION - STAFFDEL STOPHER [...] Reftel authorized disbursement of maximum USG per diem rate in USD equivalent, plus USD 50 for actual cost, local transportation, and other expenses for Staffdel Stopher/Ennis/Parker travel. Request authorization to pay each Staffdel officer one additional day lodging at USG per diem rate fo [...] |
2006-01-13 08:10:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN CB RP TH UK VM |
| 06BANGKOK5029 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUEST FOR BANGKOK POLMIL [...] No summary [...] |
2006-08-17 07:46:00 | Embassy Bangkok | UNCLASSIFIED | OTRA MARR PREL RP TH |
| 06BEIJING24310 | DECEMBER 5 MFA BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS AND [...] Key Points at the December 5 MFA Press Conference were: -- China hopes for the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks, but this requires the consensus of all parties. No date has been set. Luxury goods prohibited for import to the DPRK have not been defined. -- China is closely followin [...] |
2006-12-05 10:34:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PARM RP JA KS TC CH |
| 06BEIJING24344 | MFA BRIEFING ON EAST ASIA SUMMIT, CHINA-ASEAN [...] On December 6, Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai held a special press briefing outlining Premier Wen Jiabao?s upcoming planned state visit to the Philippines and Chinese participation in ASEAN- related events in Cebu from December 11-15. Wen will attend the East Asia Summit, China-ASEAN [...] |
2006-12-06 09:12:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL ETRD CH RP JA KS KN |
| 06HANOI2940 | VIETNAM: WOMEN EMPOWERMENT CONTACTS [...] On November 28, Poloff shared reftel fact sheet on recommendations from the Women's Empowerment Working Session with Nguyen Thi Minh Quy, Director of the National Committee for the Advancement of Women. After discussing the sheet with her colleagues, Quy will send us ideas on possible projects [...] |
2006-12-01 09:02:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED | KWMN PHUM PREL RP UNGA |
| 06JEDDAH352 | PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT ARROYO'S VISIT TO KINGDOM [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Saudi government marked the state visit of Philippine President Arroyo by pardoning more than 500 Filipinos; many more than had been specifically requested by Arroyo. ConGen contacted a source in the Jeddawi Filipino community to determine if religious detainees had been i [...] |
2006-05-14 07:53:00 | Consulate Jeddah | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF KISL PGOV PHUM RP SA SOCI |
| 06KUALALUMPUR1096 | PREPARING FOR THE MARITIME BORDER NEEDS ASSESSMENT [...] (S) Embassy Kuala Lumpur strongly endorses the DS/ATA and S/CT maritime border control technical needs assessment in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia and looks forward to working with the Department in arranging this visit. 2. (S) Post agrees with Embassies Jakarta and Manila with r [...] |
2006-06-15 02:02:00 | Embassy Kuala Lumpur | SECRET | PTER ASEC PREL ID RP MY |
| 06KUALALUMPUR1525 | MALAYSIAN VIEW OF GRP/MILF PEACE PROCESS [...] (S) Summary: Malaysian lead facilitator for the Philippine Government(GRP)/Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace process Othman Abdul Razak told the Ambassador August 9 that he anticipated that the parties would sign an interim agreement late this year, with conclusion of a "comprehensi [...] |
2006-08-14 07:21:00 | Embassy Kuala Lumpur | SECRET | PREL PINS PTER EAID RP MY |
| 06KUALALUMPUR1812 | MALAYSIA SEES "DEADLOCK" IN GRP/MILF PEACE PROCESS [...] (S) Malaysia's Othman Abdul Razak, facilitator for the Philippines Government (GRP)/Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace process, told Polcouns September 26 that the talks had "deadlocked." The previous round in early September had gone nowhere because GRP negotiators had failed to dem [...] |
2006-09-27 09:45:00 | Embassy Kuala Lumpur | SECRET | PREL PINS PTER MOPS EAID RP MY |
| 06KUALALUMPUR2159 | MALAYSIA MFA ON MILF TALKS, THAI UNREST [...] (C) A senior Malaysian Foreign Ministry official charged with Southeast Asia told us November 21 that the next round of GRP-MILF talks would take place in December with Malaysia's Othman Abdul Razak remaining the facilitator. The GRP reportedly had readied a partial compromise on territorial [...] |
2006-11-22 09:17:00 | Embassy Kuala Lumpur | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINR PTER MOPS EAID KISL RP TH MY |
| 06KUALALUMPUR2198 | NSD CHIEF DETAILS SECURITY DUTIES, THAI VISIT, [...] (C) The head of Malaysia's National Security Division (NSD), Ahmad Fuad, discussed NSD's broad duties, including its disaster management role, and inquired about U.S. technical assistance during a November 29 meeting with the DCM. Fuad said that Thai General Sonthi had used his visit to Kual [...] |
2006-11-30 09:10:00 | Embassy Kuala Lumpur | SECRET | PREL PGOV PTER MOPS EAID SENV RP TH MY |
| 06KUALALUMPUR2235 | DAS JOHN FINDS MALAYSIAN BROKER OPTIMISTIC ON MILF [...] (S) Visiting EAP DAS Eric John on December 6 found Malaysian facilitator Othman Abdul Razak "more optimistic" following the latest informal talks between the Philippines Government (GRP)/Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). In meetings held in Kuala Lumpur the week of November 27, GRP clari [...] |
2006-12-08 10:40:00 | Embassy Kuala Lumpur | SECRET | PREL PINS PTER MOPS EAID KISL RP MY |
| 06KUWAIT1041 | KUWAIT'S DOMESTIC LABOR ADMINISTRATION TAKES [...] (U) Summary and Comment. PolOff and PolAssistant visited the Domestic Worker Administration (DWA) on March 18, and PolOff followed up with an unannounced visit to the DWA on March 22 to see how the GOK deals with domestic workers who have complaints. The DWA's role, as reported to Emboffs [...] |
2006-03-25 13:02:00 | Embassy Kuwait | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM ELAB RP KU TIP |
| 06KUWAIT262 | FREEDOM AGENDA: EMBASSY INITIATES KUWAIT [...] Post organized and hosted on January 24th a meeting of labor officials from source countries for expatriate labor in Kuwait to engage on how to better work together to improve the status of Kuwait's large expatriate labor force. Representatives from the embassies of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Paki [...] |
2006-01-25 14:44:00 | Embassy Kuwait | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM ELAB CE BG ID RP PK IN KU |
| 06KUWAIT4649 | FILIPINO LABOR ATTACHE SAYS MINIMUM WAGE FOR [...] (C/NF) PolOff met with Filipino Labor Attache Leopoldo De Jesus on December 12 to discuss recent reports that the Philippines intends to increase the monthly minimum wage for Filipino domestic workers from USD 200 to USD 400. De Jesus verified that all domestic workers leaving the Philippine [...] |
2006-12-13 12:43:00 | Embassy Kuwait | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV KHUM ELAB RP KU TIP |
| 06LIMA2284 | COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR CARMELO RIVERA. [...] (U) The Embassy grants country clearance for the visit to Peru of Carmelo Rivera for the period of June 18, through June 24, 2006. The purpose of the visit is to participate in the Organization of American States (OAS) Commission for Inter-American Telecommunications Permanent Consultative Co [...] |
2006-06-07 17:04:00 | Embassy Lima | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC KSCA TSPA OTRA RP PE |
| 06MAILA1222 | DEPUTY USTR BHATIA'S EETINGS IN MANILA: [...] (BU) In a March 16 meeting with Deputy USTR Ambasado Karan Bhatia, Finance Secretary Gary Teveshighlighted fiscal reform measures such as the expnded value added tax and increased tax revenue collection. Teves, noting that the Philippines's GDP growth rate is lower than other countries in the [...] |
2006-03-17 10:30:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EAGR ETT EINV KIPR RP |
| 06MANILA1 | MOVING FORWARD ON USG PRIORITIES IN THE [...] (C) Summary: While still facing serious political obstacles, President Arroyo has recovered some of her equilibrium after surviving impeachment charges and severe domestic turbulence in 2005. The relative pause in the political wars provides an opening for the USG to move forward with key b [...] |
2006-01-03 01:55:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON ETRD EAID MARR MOPS PHUM RP |
| 06MANILA1021 | FIVE LEFTIST LAWMAKERS REMAIN "UNDER PROTECTIVE [...] (C) Summary: Five leftist lawmakers remain "under protective custody" at the House of Representatives complex in metro Manila. The Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary and the five claim that they will be arrested if they leave the premises. It is not clear what exactly the five might be [...] |
2006-03-06 09:16:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINS PINR RP |
| 06MANILA1040 | EAP DAS JOHN MEETINGS EXPLORE EMERGENCY RULE, FREE [...] (SBU) Summary. On March 2, EAP Deputy Assistant Secretary Eric John discussed President Arroyo's declaration SIPDIS of a State of Emergency with Ricardo Saludo, Secretary of the Cabinet and member of the Presidential Management Staff. They also discussed the Arroyo administration's strateg [...] |
2006-03-07 08:08:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINS ASEC PREL KPAO RP |
| 06MANILA1047 | SENATE PRESIDENT UNDER PRESSURE FROM WITHIN HIS [...] (C) Summary: Opponents of Senate President Drilon took action on March 2 to strip him of his leadership position in the Liberal Party (LP). Drilon is contesting the move. Contacts are also reporting that Drilon is under pressure in the Senate from elements who want to see him removed from hi [...] |
2006-03-07 08:52:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR RP |
| 06MANILA1074 | PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR WELCOMES USG SUPPORT FOR [...] (SBU) On February 27, 2006, representatives of USAID and the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), a USAID/Philippines grantee, met with former Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. to discuss opportunities to collaborate on electoral reforms. President A [...] |
2006-03-08 08:56:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KDEM PHUM PGOV PREL RP |
| 06MANILA1075 | "NO CNN CAMERA CREWS!" -- CHILD PRISONERS IN THE [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (U) Summary: A recent visit by emboffs to a jail in a town near Manila highlighted in a microcosm the problem of incarcerated children in the Philippines. On the national level, the GRP is trying to address [...] |
2006-03-08 09:05:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL KOCI SOCI OPRC RP |
| 06MANILA1110 | PHILIPPINE OPPOSITION: BITTER TOWARD PRESIDENT [...] (C) Summary: In recent meetings, Opposition politicians told poloffs that they will continue to denounce President Arroyo for her recent imposition (since rescinded) of a State of National Emergency, asserting that it was poorly calibrated to meet the nature of any threat posed at the time. [...] |
2006-03-10 07:41:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PREL RP |
| 06MANILA1135 | PAL intends to lease a few Boeing planes [...] (SBU) Philippine Airlines (PAL) CEO Lucio Tan recently told the Charge that he intends to lease two or three wide body Boeing planes. He said that he wants to test them out before making a decision on re-fleeting for his North American routes, citing reservations over the safety of the twin [...] |
2006-03-13 08:09:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAIR ETRD BEXP RP |
| 06MANILA1162 | GRP KEEPS UP PRESSURE ON ACCUSED LAWMAKERS [...] (C) Summary: The GRP has presented its first witness in a prosecution probe of five left-wing lawmakers accused of sedition in connection with an alleged plot to overthrow the government in February. The five remain ensconced at the House of Representatives. On March 13, a trial court order [...] |
2006-03-14 09:06:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PHUM RP |
| 06MANILA1178 | ASEAN: LOOKING AHEAD AS THE PHILIPPINES PREPARES [...] (SBU) Summary. The Philippines will assume the rotating Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in July 2006. The GRP plans to use its chairmanship to focus ASEAN on maritime security and counterterrorism issues, as well as regional anti-trafficking efforts, alter [...] |
2006-03-15 09:50:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER EWWT RP BM |
| 06MANILA1179 | "CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER": THE GRP PRESENTS ITS [...] (SBU) Summary: In a March 9 diplomatic corps briefing, senior GRP officials laid out the case in support of the February 24 declaration of a State of National Emergency through Proclamation 1017. The GRP maintains that an "unholy alliance" of three groups -- Communist rebels and political [...] |
2006-03-15 10:32:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER PINS MOPS RP |
| 06MANILA1213 | DAVAO EAGER FOR INVESTMENT, CALLS FOR REMOVAL OF [...] (SBU) Summary. The economy is growing in Davao City according to local business contacts and the City Mayor's office, despite the claimed dampening effect of the State Department's travel advisory on the overall business climate. Although the banana industry suffered setbacks in 2005 (sept [...] |
2006-03-17 08:22:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD CASC RP |
| 06MANILA1219 | LIKELY POSTPONEMENT OF ARRAIGNMENT OF MARINES IN [...] (U) On March 17, the alleged victim in the case of four U.S. Marines charged with rape filed an omnibus motion with the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court. The motion requests four actions: -- that the Court declare unconstitutional Article V, paragraph 6 of the Visiting Forces Agreement ( [...] |
2006-03-17 09:01:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA1220 | APEC Amb Michalak Meeting with Energy Secretary [...] (SBU) Energy Secretary Lotilla told Ambassador Michalak on March 15 that the privatization of National Power Corporation (NPC) generating plants will move forward when the Manila Electric Company signs a contract soon to purchase NPC's electricity. The Philippines mandated ethanol and coco [...] |
2006-03-17 09:15:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ENRG EPET PGOV EAID RP |
| 06MANILA1221 | DEPUTY USTR BHATIA'S MEETINGS IN MANILA: TRADE [...] (SBU) In a March 16 meeting with Deputy USTR Karan Bhatia, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila expressed appreciation for USTR's recognition of GRP progress on intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and the February announcement to move the Philippines from the Special 301 Priori [...] |
2006-03-17 10:30:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EAGR ETTC EINV KIPR RP |
| 06MANILA1222 | DEPUTY USTR BHATIA'S MEETINGS IN MANILA: [...] (SBU) In a March 16 meeting with Deputy USTR Ambassador Karan Bhatia, Finance Secretary Gary Teves highlighted fiscal reform measures such as the expanded value added tax and increased tax revenue collection. Teves, noting that the Philippines's GDP growth rate is lower than other countries [...] |
2006-03-17 10:30:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EAGR ETTC EINV KIPR RP |
| 06MANILA1230 | POSITIVE REACTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT ON [...] (U) Summary: Mission's efforts to alert the Philippine public of the Country Reports on Human Rights 2005, including a chat on the Virtual Consulate Davao website, paid off with generally positive and constructive responses from the media and from key contacts. Mission will continue to devel [...] |
2006-03-20 06:55:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL KPAO SOCI RP |
| 06MANILA1236 | MINDANAO BANANA PROFITS SLIP [...] U.S. banana growers in Davao City reported that profits fell by as much as 40 percent in 2005. They attribute the decline to overproduction, along with increasing operation costs. The Philippines supplies over 95 percent of the total Asian banana market, with exports going primarily to Japa [...] |
2006-03-20 08:03:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ETRD EAGR EINV RP |
| 06MANILA1259 | LOCAL ISSUES -- NOT MANILA POLITICS -- DOMINATE [...] (C) Summary: Based on emboffs March 16-17 visit, recent political turbulence in Manila appears to have garnered little attention in Isabela Province in northeastern Luzon. Governor Grace Padaca, the 2006 Ninoy Aquino Award for Public Service winner, remains popular, but faces entrenched oppo [...] |
2006-03-21 07:25:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS ECON PREL PINR SOCI RP |
| 06MANILA1275 | PRESIDENT ARROYO WORKS TO SHORE UP SUPPORT IN [...] (C) Summary: In light of recent political turbulence, President Arroyo has been reaching out to high-level members of the Catholic clergy in an effort to shore up support. Arroyo has also taken care not to cross the Church on two key issues: mining and population policy. Arroyo's efforts a [...] |
2006-03-22 05:35:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR SOCI PINS EMIN RP |
| 06MANILA1342 | FORMER PRESIDENT ESTRADA HEATEDLY DENIES CHARGES [...] (C) Summary: Former president Joseph Estrada testified for the first time in his almost five-year old trial on serious corruption charges on March 22. As expected, Estrada vehemently denied all charges. The government has sent conflicting signals as to whether it wants to continue to try t [...] |
2006-03-23 09:26:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KCOR ECON PINR PINS RP |
| 06MANILA1366 | JUDGE IN ALLEGED RAPE CASE RECUSES HIMSELF ON EVE [...] (U) Summary. The judge in the case of four Marines accused of raping a Filipina has recused himself in reaction to a motion from the complainant's lawyers. The arraignment of the Marines, scheduled for March 24, has been postponed. A new judge may be assigned to the case on March 28; the co [...] |
2006-03-24 07:29:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA1367 | UNPRECEDENTED CUSTOMS RAID HAS SMUGGLERS SCRAMBLING [...] (SBU) Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales launched an unprecedented, 500-agent raid on March 16 against a Manila mall notorious for hosting hundreds of sellers of pirated and counterfeit goods. Closely guarded plans and a professional approach caught stall owners by surprise. Rather than [...] |
2006-03-24 07:34:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD ECON KIPR EINV RP |
| 06MANILA1376 | VOLCANIC ERUPTION POSES NO THREAT [...] On March 21, Mount Bulusan, 370 miles southeast of Manila, experienced a moderate eruption. The area around the volcano is uninhabited, and the situation appears to pose no immediate danger to life or property. Sorsogon Province is mainly agricultural and rural with a population of 650,000. [...] |
2006-03-24 08:48:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV CACS EAGR SENV RP |
| 06MANILA144 | SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT POLICIES [...] Summary. This cable outlines responses by GRP National Telecom Commission to reftel questionnaire on spectrum management. End summary. POST RESPONSE TO RADIO FREQUENCY SPECTRUM SURVEY A. Which organizations are involved in spectrum management in your country? To whom are they respon [...] |
2006-01-11 08:39:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ECPS EINV ETRD ECIN RP |
| 06MANILA1452 | LEFT-WING ACTIVISTS REMAIN A TARGET IN THE [...] Summary: Since Mission's last message dated November 15, 2005, attacks on left-wing activists have continued unabated, with seventeen killed and one wounded. Some observers allege the Arroyo Administration, Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are behind the ki [...] |
2006-03-30 10:04:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV PTER PINS PREL PINR RP |
| 06MANILA1519 | NEW VENUE, JUDGE ANNOUNCED IN ALLEGED RAPE CASE [...] (U) On March 28, the Philippine Supreme Court transferred the case of four Marines accused of raping a Filipina from Olongapo City to Makati City in metro Manila. The Department of Justice (DOJ) had requested the change of venue after the original judge, Renato Dilag, recused himself due to a [...] |
2006-04-04 08:50:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA1538 | PROPONENTS PRESS FORWARD ON CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE [...] (C) Summary: Pro-Administration groups are collecting signatures for a "People's Initiative" (referendum) on Constitutional changes that would create a parliament with an executive prime minister. If plans move forward, the referendum might take place later this year. President Arroyo and [...] |
2006-04-05 09:00:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS RP |
| 06MANILA1539 | PHILIPPINES: CONTRIBUTING FORCES TO UN [...] (C) According to Department of Foreign Affairs Office of United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO) Director Gary Domingo, the Philippines would in principle be favorably disposed to a request to provide troops to a UN peacekeeping operation in Darfur. He pledged to engage in init [...] |
2006-04-05 09:26:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KPKO MOPS SU RP |
| 06MANILA1567 | CRITICAL LACK OF RESOURCES FOR AI PREPAREDNESS [...] (SBU) The Philippines continues to maintain its official status as free of H5N1 Avian Influenza (AI). However the country is regarded as being at "high risk" considering the epidemic in the region and migratory birds, which transit the Philippines to and from affected countries. Post is con [...] |
2006-04-07 03:59:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO SENV EAGR EAID PREL RP |
| 06MANILA1569 | LITTLE CHANCE ARROYO WILL FOLLOW THE THAKSIN ROUTE [...] (SBU) The Philippine public -- or at least the political elites in Manila, opposition groups, and the media -- have followed with great interest the recent political developments in Thailand that led to snap elections and the decision by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to resign. The oppo [...] |
2006-04-07 04:25:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PINS PGOV TH RP |
| 06MANILA1576 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH SENATE PRESIDENT DRILON [...] (U) Ambassador Kenney, accompanied by Pol/C, called on Senate President Franklin Drilon on April 6. The meeting received prominent coverage in the media on April 7. 2. (C) Counterterrorism legislation: Drilon admitted that passage of proposed CT legislation by the Senate had become "m [...] |
2006-04-07 06:21:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER RP |
| 06MANILA1595 | NEW LEGISLATION ON CHILD PRISONERS [...] (U) Summary: Both houses of Congress have now approved the "Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006," aimed at curbing the problem of child prisoners by moving minors out of the adult criminal justice system and building more youth detention facilities. President Arroyo is slated to sign t [...] |
2006-04-10 06:45:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM SOCI EAID RP |
| 06MANILA1638 | KEY GROUPS EXPRESS CONCERNS ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL [...] (C) Summary: The powerful Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the influential Makati Business Club (MBC) have issued statements asserting that the GRP and its allies are moving forward too quickly with plans for Constitutional change. Neither statement specifically co [...] |
2006-04-12 05:05:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS ECON RP |
| 06MANILA1647 | UPDATE ON IPR PROTECTION: KEY RESIGNATION AND [...] (C) The Executive Director of the Optical Media Board (OMB), Marivic Benedicto, will resign effective April 14 due to what she describes as a "personality conflict" with OMB Chairman Edu Manzano. OMB has not named her successor. Benedicto was responsible for OMB's day-to-day operations and m [...] |
2006-04-12 08:38:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | ETRD ECON KIPR EINV RP |
| 06MANILA1674 | PRESIDENT ARROYO TO COMMUTE DEATH SENTENCES [...] (C) Summary: President Arroyo announced plans to commute all death sentences to life imprisonment. Her action immediately should only affect about 80 inmates, whose sentences the Supreme Court has already confirmed. Another 1,100 cases are still waiting Supreme Court review, as mandated in [...] |
2006-04-18 09:44:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PTER RP |
| 06MANILA171 | PHILIPPINES: COUNTERTERRORISM TRAINING [...] (C) Summary. The Philippines faces multiple terrorist threats. The US Mission in Manila coordinates a robust interagency program of counterterrorism training and technical assistance, and hopes further to expand such efforts in FY 2006-2008, if additional funds are available. As part 1 of a [...] |
2006-01-12 10:18:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER ECON PGOV KCRM KTFN RP |
| 06MANILA1714 | LIKELY REDUCTION OF CHARGES FOR 3 MARINES IN [...] (SBU) Summary. The Philippine Secretary of Justice announced that he would recommend to the court a reduction in the charges against three of the Marines in the ongoing alleged rape case. Lawyers for the complainant and for the Marines have both characterized the proposed reduced charges of [...] |
2006-04-19 09:59:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA1726 | MAJOR ANTI-CORRUPTION CASES MOVE FORWARD, SLOWLY [...] (C) Summary: The criminal trial on corruption charges of former Comptroller of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Major General Carlos Garcia will begin on April 25. The court has issued warrants for the arrest of Garcia's wife and three sons, but they remain in hiding. Despite Garcia [...] |
2006-04-20 08:19:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON KCOR SOCI RP |
| 06MANILA1746 | MALACANANG SUFFERS SETBACK AT HANDS OF SUPREME [...] (SBU) Summary: The Supreme Court ruled April 20 that key sections of E.O. 464, which required Malacanang concurrence before executive branch members could testify in Congress, were unconstitutional. Malacanang said it would file a motion for reconsideration. The Opposition hailed the ruling [...] |
2006-04-21 06:44:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS RP |
| 06MANILA1747 | MILF WELCOMES REGULAR DIALOGUE WITH US EMBASSY [...] (S/NF) Summary: In a second meeting with poloffs, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Vice Chairman for Political Affairs Ghazali Jafaar confirmed that MILF-GRP negotiations for a political settlement will begin after both parties sign a written agreement on ancestral domain, and noted that [...] |
2006-04-21 06:49:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET | PINS PTER PREL KISL MY RP |
| 06MANILA1792 | REBELLION CHARGES AGAINST SUSPECTED COUP PLOTTERS [...] No summary [...] |
2006-04-25 10:20:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PREL PTER RP |
| 06MANILA1816 | HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR EXERCISE BAKER PISTON 06-3 [...] (U) This is an Action Request. See para 6. 2. (U) JIATF West has requested that the Mission conduct human rights vetting for units participating in exercise Baker Piston 06-3, slated to take place 17 July - 11 August, 2006. 3. (U) Post POC is Rachel Wolfe, who can be reached at wolf [...] |
2006-04-26 09:57:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | MARR MOPS PHUM PREL PINR SNAR RP |
| 06MANILA1830 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH TRADE AND INDUSTRY [...] (SBU) In her first meeting with Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila on April 25, the Ambassador focused SIPDIS discussion on intellectual property rights (IPR), our bilateral trade relationship, and the WTO Doha Round negotiations. Favila and other senior GRP leadership continue to h [...] |
2006-04-27 07:22:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ETRD EAGR ETTC EINV KIPR RP |
| 06MANILA1841 | HANDLING THE MARINE "RAPE" CASE -- NEXT STEPS [...] (SBU) With the imminent arraignment (likely on April 28) of four Marines accused in a case of rape of a Filipina in Subic Bay on November 1, 2005, this case and the utility of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) will re-emerge in the spotlight after a relatively quiet four months. An outsta [...] |
2006-04-27 10:06:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR RP |
| 06MANILA1845 | ARMM LEADERSHIP PLEDGES COOPERATION ON TERRORISM, [...] (SBU) Summary. In an April 20 meeting with Ambassador, Governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan and his senior staff acknowledged the vital importance of combating terrorism but expressed a hope that the GRP would involve Local Government Units more direct [...] |
2006-04-27 10:53:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV EAID PTER EAGR RP |
| 06MANILA1853 | AMBASSADOR VISIT TO FORD AND PG PLANTS AND BRENT [...] Ambassador and Emboffs visited the Ford Motor Company manufacturing plant, the Procter and Gamble factory, and Brent International School during a trip south of Manila on April 21. Ford Philippines' vehicle exports to Southeast Asia have earned $571 million since 2002, making it the only aut [...] |
2006-04-28 03:13:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | EINV BEXP ETRD RP |
| 06MANILA1862 | GRP ADOPTS CONFLICTED BIOSAFETY FRAMEWORK [...] (SBU) Summary. President Arroyo issued an executive order (EO) adopting the National Biosafety Framework (NBF) as a compliance mechanism under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB). The NBF, a compromise between pro- and anti-biotech policy makers, promulgates conflicting principles in [...] |
2006-04-28 08:50:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAGR ETRD ECON SENV TBIO TSPL RP |
| 06MANILA1865 | COURT MARTIAL AFFIRMED IN MAJOR ANTI-CORRUPTION [...] (U) On April 26, 2006, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Generoso Senga affirmed the guilty verdict in the court martial of former Major General Carlos Garcia on corruption charges. The court martial sentenced Garcia on December 2, 2005 to two years' confinement at hard labor, and the verdict had [...] |
2006-04-28 09:29:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV ECON KCOR SOCI RP |
| 06MANILA1866 | COURT REJECTS DOJ MOTION TO DOWNGRADE CHARGES, [...] (U) Summary: On April 28, a Manila court rejected a motion to reduce the charges against three of four US Marines accused of raping a Filipina. The judge hearing the case entered "not guilty" pleas on behalf of the accused Marines after their lawyers declined to enter pleas. The judge also [...] |
2006-04-28 09:44:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL MARR RP |
| 06MANILA1885 | ARREST OF ASG OPERATIVE AL-SHARIE AMIRUDDIN A [...] (C) Summary. The recent arrest of Al-Sharie Amiruddin y Mohammad Nur, aka Abu Omar, is a significant catch for the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Although a mid-level operative, Amiruddin was an early Abu Sayyaf Group adherent, and involved in intelligence and recruiting activities in Mal [...] |
2006-05-02 08:56:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL MOPS KPAL BX ID MY RP |
| 06MANILA1886 | PEACEFUL MAY DAY RALLIES [...] (SBU) Summary: Rallies in Manila and elsewhere in the Philippines were moderate in size and largely peaceful on the national labor day holiday of May 1. The largest rallies, which leftist groups organized, took place in Manila, but mainstream opposition parties also put on at least one othe [...] |
2006-05-02 09:18:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PINS ASEC RP |
| 06MANILA1887 | MINDANAO PEACE PROBLEMS [...] (C) Summary: According to Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema, detained Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari has formed a new council for talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), excluding Sema and other members of the MNLF-Council of 15. Sema commented the c [...] |
2006-05-02 09:23:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PTER PREL KISL RP |
| 06MANILA1888 | PHILIPPINES: URGING SIGNATURE AND RATIFICATION OF [...] (SBU) According to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of UN and International Organizations (UNIO) Director Gary Domingo, the DFA is still awaiting inputs from other Philippine government agencies -- notably, the Departments of Justice and of Transportation and Communications -- on the [...] |
2006-05-02 09:26:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | KNNP MNUC PARM PREL KTIA PHSA EWWT RP |
| 06MANILA190 | PHILIPPINES: COUNTERTERRORISM ASSISTANCE (PART 2) [...] (C) Summary. The Philippines faces multiple terrorist threats. The US Mission in Manila coordinates a robust interagency program of counterterrorism training and technical assistance, and hopes further to expand such efforts in FY 2006-2008, if additional funds are available. As part 2 of a [...] |
2006-01-13 09:57:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER ECON PGOV KCRM KTFN RP |
| 06MANILA1903 | GMA OPTIMISTIC ABOUT MILF PEACE PROSPECTS; [...] (U) This message is sensitive, but unclassified. Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: During an April 28 event with the Ambassador, President Arroyo reiterated optimism about prospects for peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2006. Senior GRP officials commente [...] |
2006-05-04 01:40:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MARR PARM RP |
| 06MANILA1913 | SUPREME COURT ISSUES MIXED RULING ON STATE OF [...] (SBU) Summary: The Supreme Court, in a May 3 ruling, upheld the validity of President Arroyo's imposition of a State of National Emergency on February 24. However, the Court also ruled that the curbing of rallies and a police raid on a newspaper were illegal. Both Malacanang and the Opposi [...] |
2006-05-04 07:03:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PINS PINR RP |
| 06MANILA1920 | CUBA: NSC-DIRECTED REVIEW REGARDING SUSPENSION OF [...] (U) The GRP has diplomatic relations with Cuba. According to Department of Foreign Affairs Director for Central America Ariel Penaranda, after a two-year gap, the newly appointed Philippine Ambassador to Cuba arrived in Havana in April 2006. The Cubans currently maintain an Ambassador and a [...] |
2006-05-04 08:56:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL ETRD ETTC CU RP |
| 06MANILA1922 | AMBASSADOR VISITS JOLO ISLAND [...] SUMMARY. The Ambassador's April 26 trip to Jolo successfully highlighted USG efforts -- ranging from JSOTF civil-military operations to USAID computer literacy and infrastructure projects -- to change the dynamic of this long-time Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah Islamiyah safe- haven and recruit [...] |
2006-05-05 00:20:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER MCAP KISL EAID KPAO RP |
| 06MANILA1941 | ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST SLAIN [...] (SBU) Summary: In early April, two environmental activists in Cebu received word that an explosives dealer allegedly had placed a bounty on their heads. Days later, one of the activists was murdered. The other, Antonio "Tony" Oposa, Jr., continues to fear for his life. Mission is taking e [...] |
2006-05-05 06:25:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PINS SENV RP |
| 06MANILA1944 | JAIL MANAGEMENT SEMINAR ADVANCES LAW ENFORCEMENT [...] (U) Summary. A week-long S/CT-funded seminar on Advanced Jail Management that concluded on April 28 was a crucial effort in Mission's support of law enforcement reform in the Philippines in general and of the Philippine National Police's ongoing Transformation Project in particular. 2. ( [...] |
2006-05-05 06:43:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PTER KCRM KJUS PREL KCOR PGOV PINS ASEC RP |
| 06MANILA1965 | FIVE LEFTIST LAWMAKERS PEACEFULLY DEPART CONGRESS, [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: After two months holed up in Congress, five leftist representatives left the Batasan Pambansa (congressional) complex in Metro Manila on May 8. The "Batasan Five" -- who had feared arrest if t [...] |
2006-05-08 07:18:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINS PHUM RP |
| 06MANILA1968 | MARINE CASE UPDATE 5/5/06 [...] (C) Summary. On May 3, the Ambassador raised concerns over the alleged rape case with Philippine Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, a strong supporter of the Visiting Forces Agreement. Cruz was sympathetic to U.S. concerns over the potential politization of the case, but believed that the case [...] |
2006-05-08 08:39:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA1981 | ARAGONCILLO GUILTY PLEA ANNOUNCEMENT NETS BIG [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: The May 4 USDOJ announcement that former FBI analyst Leandro Aragoncillo pleaded guilty to espionage and other charges received significant press play in the Philippines. GRP reaction was basi [...] |
2006-05-09 07:04:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINR PINS KPAO ASEC RP |
| 06MANILA1982 | AMBASSADOR'S MAY 5 MEETING WITH FOREIGN SECRETARY [...] (C) Summary. In a May 5 meeting, the Ambassador thanked Secretary of Foreign Affairs Romulo for the Philippine SIPDIS government's support for efforts to keep Iran off the UNHRC. She urged the GRP to pursue concerns about terrorist financing when President Arroyo visits Saudi Arabia on May [...] |
2006-05-09 07:56:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINS PHUM PTER RP BM IR SA |
| 06MANILA2009 | WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY: SMALLPOX DEMARCHE [...] (U) This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) On May 8, poloff delivered reftel talking points to Rosalita Prospero, Health Division Director, Office of United Nations and Other International Organizations, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Pros [...] |
2006-05-10 08:25:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL AORC TBIO WHO RP |
| 06MANILA2013 | GRP-MILF PEACE TALKS DEADLOCKED OVER TERRITORIAL [...] (C) Summary. GRP and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiators failed to reach an agreement on ancestral domain during their 12th Round of Exploratory Talks, but were successful in expanding the composition/mandate of the International Monitoring Team, and extending the Ad Hoc Joint A [...] |
2006-05-10 08:47:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL MOPS PINS KISL MY RP |
| 06MANILA2021 | AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH TRANSPORTATION AND [...] (U) Sensitive but Unclassified -- Not For Internet -- Please Handle Accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary. In her first meeting with Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza on May 9, the Ambassador focused discussion on: the Philippine Transportation Security Authority Bill; [...] |
2006-05-11 05:17:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINS ELTN ECPS RP |
| 06MANILA2060 | MAINSTREAM OPPOSITION: DIVIDED AND WITHOUT [...] (C) Summary: Mainstream Opposition groups in the Philippines remain seriously divided among factions linked to former president Estrada, former president Aquino, Senator Lacson and others. The Opposition also remains without effective themes with which to counter the Arroyo administration. [...] |
2006-05-15 06:21:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PHUM ECON RP |
| 06MANILA2069 | TYPHOON CHANCHU HITS THE PHILIPPINES [...] On May 12, tropical storm Chanchu made landfall in the Philippines in Northern Samar southeast of Manila and as of May 15 has gone out to sea west of Luzon. On May 14, Chanchu intensified into a typhoon while crossing east-to- west across the central Philippines leaving in its wake 37 dead, [...] |
2006-05-15 09:22:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ASEC EINV CACS EAGR AGMT ABLD SENV RP |
| 06MANILA2085 | MARINE CASE UPDATE 5/16/06 [...] (U) Pre-trial hearings continue in the case of four U.S. Marines accused of raping a Filipina. At a pre-trial hearing on May 11, Judge Pozon received a Motion for Clarification of the one-year time-limit for judicial proceedings specified in the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). ----------- [...] |
2006-05-16 09:11:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA2096 | GRP FORMS TASK FORCE TO INVESTIGATE KILLINGS OF [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: Eleven more leftist activists have been killed in attacks since late March. President Arroyo has formed a police task force to investigate the killings. Some GRP officials are suggesting that [...] |
2006-05-17 06:50:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PTER PINS PREL RP |
| 06MANILA2104 | AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH PHILIPPINE RED CROSS [...] (SBU) Per reftel, Ambassador met May 17 with Senator Richard J. Gordon, Chairman and CEO of the Philippine National Red Cross, to discuss the importance of the upcoming meeting of the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and its scheduled vote to establish [...] |
2006-05-17 08:41:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | AORC PHUM PREL PREF ICRC RP IS |
| 06MANILA2111 | AMBASSADOR'S MAY 18 MEETING WITH FORMER PRESIDENT [...] (C) The Ambassador, accompanied by the DCM, paid her first visit on former president Corazon "Cory" Aquino on May 18. Aquino talked warmly and nostalgically about her days in Malacanang before turning to the current political situation. She said that she still believes that President Arroyo [...] |
2006-05-18 08:27:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL PINR RP |
| 06MANILA2113 | AMBASSADOR'S MAY 18 MEETING WITH FOREIGN SECRETARY [...] (U) This is an action message -- see para. 8. 2. (C) SUMMARY. Foreign Affairs Secretary Romulo intends to focus on Burma and regional counterterrorism when the Philippines takes the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and is optimistic about peace prospects with the Moro [...] |
2006-05-18 08:43:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER BM RP |
| 06MANILA2136 | AMBASSADOR'S MAY 18 MEETING WITH NATIONAL SECURITY [...] (S) The Ambassador, accompanied by the DCM and Regional Affairs Chief, visited National Security Advisor Norberto "Bert" Gonzales on May 18. Gonzales said he had useful side meetings with his Saudi counterpart during President Arroyo's May 7-10 visit to Saudi Arabia. He asked Saudi National [...] |
2006-05-19 08:56:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET | PGOV PTER PHUM PREL SA RP |
| 06MANILA2154 | THE "LEGAL" LEFT: SMALL, BUT DEDICATED [...] (C) Summary: The so-called "legal" left parties, which include Bayan Muna, Gabriela, the KMU, and Migrante, are an important aspect of the Philippine political scene. Most are linked with the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army (CPP/NPA) and, along with the mainstream Oppos [...] |
2006-05-23 03:54:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR PHUM RP |
| 06MANILA2160 | EMBASSY IPR ROUNDTABLE HIGHLIGHTS [...] (SBU) At an Embassy-sponsored roundtable discussion on intellectual property rights (IPR) on May 11, private sector participants acknowledged a heightened level of engagement by the GRP, but expressed concern over weak enforcement. Many industries are implementing targeted strategies to impr [...] |
2006-05-23 08:19:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD KIPR BEXP RP |
| 06MANILA2162 | GRP HOSTS FIRST U.S. BILATERAL CHEMICAL WEAPONS [...] (U) This message is Sensitive, but Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary. The Philippines, a Chemical Weapon Convention member-state, needs to make more progress in meeting its national implementation obligations under the convention. During an April 3-4 workshop wi [...] |
2006-05-23 08:19:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PARM ETRD ASEC PHUM MY RP |
| 06MANILA2167 | GRP DISCUSSES PLANS TO CURB CABLE TV PIRACY [...] (SBU) In an Embassy roundtable discussion on cable piracy issues, Commissioner Solis of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) told private sector participants that he expects to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in June with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) that would clar [...] |
2006-05-24 03:03:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD KIPR BEXP RP |
| 06MANILA2172 | COURT ACQUITS GENERAL GARCIA OF PERJURY; PLUNDER [...] (U) On May 22, the third division of the Sandiganbayan (anti-graft court) acquitted retired Major General Carlos Garcia of one count of perjury. The charges stemmed from Garcia's failure to disclose three motor vehicles on his mandatory Statement of Assets, Liability and Net worth (SALN). D [...] |
2006-05-24 06:43:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV ECON KCOR SOCI RP |
| 06MANILA218 | SUBIC CASE UPDATE: JANUARY 17 [...] (C) Summary. Local media have begun reporting on the US Embassy's decision to retain custody of the four Marines charged with rape in the Philippines. The Marines' defense attorneys have submitted Motions for Reconsideration of the issuance of any arrest warrants; three Marines have also ap [...] |
2006-01-17 09:43:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA2185 | ASSISTANT USTR WEISEL'S MEETING WITH SENATOR [...] (SBU) In a meeting with Assistant USTR for Asia Pacific and Pharmaceutical Policy on May 16, Senator Roxas agreed to work with the USG to address specific concerns regarding Senate Bill 2139, which includes provisions to expand parallel importation for pharmaceuticals. On WTO Doha Round nego [...] |
2006-05-25 07:10:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD EINV KIPR WTRO RP |
| 06MANILA2193 | PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS DENOUNCES [...] (SBU) Summary: The Philippine Commission on Human Rights has announced plans to hold a public hearing to investigate the recent murders of journalists and leftist activists. In response, President Arroyo has called for an end to the killings. Meanwhile, a popular radio commentator was kil [...] |
2006-05-26 04:09:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PTER PINS PREL RP |
| 06MANILA2195 | DRUGS, CRIME, AND CORRUPTION CHALLENGE PEACE AND [...] (C) Summary. Widespread methamphetamine trafficking and abuse, organized crime, and endemic corruption are gnawing at the fabric of Muslim society in Mindanao. While Muslim clan leaders and political warlords sustain fiefdoms and private armies through sources of illicit income, the common p [...] |
2006-05-26 06:26:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PTER PREL SNAR KISL KCRM RP |
| 06MANILA2199 | FIVE ESTRADA SUPPORTERS ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF [...] (SBU) Summary: On May 22, Philippine military and police forces arrested five supporters of former President Joseph Estrada, charging them with rebellion and accusing the group of plotting to assassinate four members of President Arroyo's Cabinet. Due to a lack of evidence, the men were late [...] |
2006-05-26 08:10:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PINS PHUM PTER RP |
| 06MANILA2207 | WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION REGIONAL OFFICE IN MANILA [...] World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office in Manila outlined to Econoffs recent developments in North Sumatra, Indonesia involving a large cluster of avian influenza deaths. WHO confirmed that a group of seven family members contracted the disease; six have died. WHO was unable to det [...] |
2006-05-26 10:34:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | TBIO SENV EAGR EAID PREL RP |
| 06MANILA2228 | MARINE CASE UPDATE 05/29/06 [...] (U) Summary. Pre-trial hearings have concluded in the case of four U.S. Marines accused of raping a Filipina, and the trial is scheduled to begin on June 2. DCM conveyed to DFA officials the USG's position that the one-year period in the Marine case began on December 27, 2005, when the Marin [...] |
2006-05-30 09:23:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA2263 | PHILIPPINE ATTENDANCE AT PSI HIGH-LEVEL POLITICAL [...] (SBU) In a meeting on May 31 with Department of Foreign Affairs Executive Director for United Nations and International Organizations MacArthur Corsino, poloff urged high level Philippine attendance at the High-Level Political Meeting for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) on June 23 [...] |
2006-06-01 02:18:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | MNUC KNNP PARM RP |
| 06MANILA2273 | ANATOMY OF AN EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLING [...] (C) Summary: During POL team's recent visit to Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan in the western Philippines, contacts expressed their deep concern about the brazen daytime killing of a well-known radio broadcaster and former politician on May 22. GRP authorities arrested a serving mem [...] |
2006-06-01 06:24:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINS PREL SOCI RP |
| 06MANILA2294 | SEEKING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT [...] (SBU) In a meeting on May 30 with Assistant Secretary of Foreign Affairs for African and Middle East Affairs Oscar Valenzuela, poloff urged the GRP to issue a statement of support for the new Iraqi political leadership and congratulate them on forming a unified government (reftel). 2. (SB [...] |
2006-06-02 02:15:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KDEM KPAO IZ RP |
| 06MANILA2302 | PALAWAN: CONFIDENCE ABOUT SECURITY FIVE YEARS [...] (C) Summary: During POL team's recent visit to Palawan in the western Philippines, GRP officials expressed confidence about the security situation there five years after the terrorist raid on the Dos Palmas Resort in May 2001. The officials said military assets in the area had been reinfor [...] |
2006-06-02 06:29:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PTER MOPS RP |
| 06MANILA2308 | MILITARY GRANT ASSISTANCE: LEGAL REQUIREMENTS [...] (U) Post received the following diplomatic note from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in response to reftel's proposed amendment to the 1974 Exchange of Notes governing the 505 Agreement between the United States and Republic of the Philippines. While agreeing to the U.S. proposal, the [...] |
2006-06-02 08:18:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | MASS MARR PGOV KTIA RP |
| 06MANILA2319 | THE AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH AGRICULTURE [...] (SBU) The Ambassador met with Agriculture Secretary Panganiban on May 31 to discuss the status of the PL 480 agreement, continuing USG support for agricultural development in Mindanao, and the GRP's response plan for avian influenza. Panganiban confirmed the GRP had approved the PL 480 agree [...] |
2006-06-02 11:46:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO SENV EAGR EAID PREL RP |
| 06MANILA2334 | MARINE CASE UPDATE 06/05/06 [...] (U) On June 2, the trial of four Marines charged with raping a Filipina began in Makati City, Manila. Two Diplomatic Security (DS) Special Agents and a DS investigator from Mission's Regional Security Office accompanied the Marines, who remain quartered on Embassy grounds, to the trial. Mis [...] |
2006-06-05 08:57:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA2350 | Cybersex a growing problem in the Philippines [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified. Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: The cybersex industry continues to grow in the Philippines, spurred on by the increasing availability of broadband Internet connectivity, foreign demand, and difficulty in prosecuting operators. [...] |
2006-06-06 08:24:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL KWMN ELAB KCRM RP |
| 06MANILA2383 | USG STEPS TO COUNTER EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS [...] (U) Extra-judicial killings (EJK) in the Philippines -- notably of leftist activists, journalists, judges, and suspected narcotics traffickers -- remain of high concern to the USG and are increasingly a subject of international media attention. The annual country report on human rights for t [...] |
2006-06-08 01:36:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV RP |
| 06MANILA2389 | PHILLIPINES SECOND CITY GREETS AMBASSADOR WITH [...] SUMMARY: Ambassadors May 19 and June 2 visits to Cebu highlighted the broad range of U.S. interests and activities in the area. The Cebu metro area is second only to Manila in the size of its population and economy. Over 100 American businesses operate in Cebu, including Timex, Lexmark Interna [...] |
2006-06-08 05:01:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ECON EAID RP |
| 06MANILA241 | RESPONSES TO USG RETENTION OF CUSTODY IN SUBIC CASE [...] (U) Summary. Philippine media on January 18 covered extensively the Embassy's public announcement that the U.S. would invoke the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and retain custody of four Marines accused of rape. Several politicians voiced anti-VFA and/or anti-U.S. sentiments. Court officia [...] |
2006-01-18 08:30:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA2418 | RECENT SUPREME COURT RULINGS REASSERT INDEPENDENCE [...] (C) Summary: In recent decisions, the Philippine Supreme Court has showed a strong independent streak in the face of accusations that it had been too close to President Arroyo. The Court remains committed to its judicial reform program, to which the USG makes substantial contributions. These [...] |
2006-06-09 07:24:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PHUM SOCI EAID RP |
| 06MANILA242 | PRESIDENT'S PARTY CALLS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL [...] (C) Summary: Leaders of the Lakas Party -- including President Arroyo -- underscored support for Constitutional change during a January 14 meeting. Per Lakas, proposed changes would take effect in 2007 when a parliament led by a prime minister would be created. President Arroyo would be al [...] |
2006-01-18 08:40:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR RP |
| 06MANILA2426 | MARINE CASE UPDATE 06/09/06 [...] (U) On June 9, the first full week of trial concluded in the case of four U.S. Marines accused in the alleged rape of a Filipina. Officials from Embassy's American Citizens' Services Unit, JUSMAG, Defense Attache's Office (DAO), and Regional Security Office, as well as from the Third Marine [...] |
2006-06-09 08:01:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA2465 | UPDATE ON AVIAN INFLUENZA - PHILIPPINES [...] (U) Post's Avian Influenza Task Force met on June 7 to review current initiatives and plans to prepare for a potential outbreak of Avian Influenza in the Philippines. The Task Force is chaired by USAID and includes representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Medical Unit, Ma [...] |
2006-06-13 09:07:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | TBIO SENV EAGR EAID PREL RP AMGT AMED |
| 06MANILA2520 | Visiting EPA team advises GRP on chemical emergency [...] (U) At the request of the GRP and with support from Ambassador Kenney, four US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emergency responders came to Manila to advise on the clean up of the high-profile mercury spill at St. Andrew's School (refs A,B). The team trained GRP personnel and private c [...] |
2006-06-16 05:04:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SENV EMIN ETRD TPHY TSPL RP |
| 06MANILA2523 | GRP MULLS AN IMO-BASED MULTILATERAL MARITIME [...] (SBU) On May 22, EAP Security Affairs Officer William Comley met separately with GRP officials and Australian and Japanese emboffs to brief them on recent discussions with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary General and continue previous discussions on building a mechanism [...] |
2006-06-16 05:50:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EWWT ETRD PBTS PREL PTER PHSA KTIA RP |
| 06MANILA2539 | NOMINATION FOR CORPORATE EXCELLENCE AWARD: PROCTER [...] Post is pleased to nominate Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines for the 2006 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE). P&G Philippines has energized its workers with a spirit of social responsibility and philanthropy that makes an excellent representation of American values and character to the l [...] |
2006-06-16 09:12:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | BEXP EINV ELAB ETRD KSEP SENV RP |
| 06MANILA2548 | MARINE CASE UPDATE 06/19/06 [...] (U) After a three-day holiday weekend and the court's regular Tuesday off, the trial of four U.S. Marines accused of raping a Filipina resumed June 14 with the testimony of NCIS special agents and NCIS locally employed staff. Post greatly appreciates the support of the Department and all oth [...] |
2006-06-19 03:18:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA2551 | AMBASSADOR HIGHLIGHTS DEVELOPMENT IN CAGAYAN DE [...] No summary [...] |
2006-06-19 07:01:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ECON EAID RP |
| 06MANILA2554 | AMBASSADOR AND ADMIRAL FALLON MEET WITH PRESIDENT [...] (C) Summary. On June 5, the Ambassador and Admiral Fallon met for breakfast with President Arroyo. In a wide-ranging conversation, President Arroyo offered her views on GRP counterterrorism efforts; the peace process in Mindanao; and her upcoming trip to Jolo to visit the USNS Mercy. End S [...] |
2006-06-19 08:16:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PREL MARR PINS RP |
| 06MANILA2570 | AMBASSADOR HIGHLIGHTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN [...] The Ambassador's trip to Cagayan de Oro on June 8 highlighted U.S. business interests and USAID's active engagement in the commercial center of Northern Mindanao. Cagayan de Oro is a gateway and regional market for eight cities representing five provinces in the region. It is a medium-sized [...] |
2006-06-20 06:12:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON PGOV PREL EAID RP |
| 06MANILA26 | IN BLOW TO JUDICIARY, WELL-KNOWN JUDGE SLAIN [...] (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. 2. (SBU) Summary: A well-known Metro Manila trial judge was murdered in a drive-by shooting on December 31. Police have arrested seven men in connection with the attack. The Supreme Court has demanded that the [...] |
2006-01-04 09:36:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PINS ECON PINR PTER PHUM RP |
| 06MANILA2623 | CONTINUED GRP-MILF COMMITMNT TO PEACE PROCESS [...] (C) Summary. Following a caim by the MILF for an additional 1,000 wards asMuslim-dominated ancestral domain, the Governmen of Malaysia will help to facilitate a joint survey by GRP/MILF census experts, with a goal of compltion by October 2006. The GRP believes that theMILF also remains comm [...] |
2006-06-23 02:07:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER MY RP KISL PINS |
| 06MANILA2633 | AMBASSADOR CALLS ON ENERGY SECRETARY [...] (SBU) In the Ambassador's initial call, Energy Secretary Lotilla highlighted the need to increase competition and privatization in the electric power sector. Lotilla described promising developments in alternative energy sources throughout the country, including geothermal projects, the expan [...] |
2006-06-23 09:09:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON ENRG EPET PGOV EAID RP |
| 06MANILA2634 | MARINE CASE UPDATE 06/23/06 [...] (U) Summary. The trial of four U.S. Marines accused of raping a Filipina is proceeding slightly more slowly than anticipated, and may move to a five-day-a-week schedule in July. Developments during the week of June 19 included a concession by prosecutors that physical evidence in the case w [...] |
2006-06-23 09:18:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA2636 | GRP EFFORTS AGAINST EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS [...] (U) Summary: The GRP has geared up to focus more concerted attention on the troubling problem of extra-judicial killings, notably of leftist activists, journalists, judges, and suspected criminals. A month-old overall task force incorporates two existing subsidiary task forces within the Ph [...] |
2006-06-23 09:38:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL RP |
| 06MANILA2637 | AMBASSADOR VISITS CLARK AND SUBIC ECONOMIC ZONES [...] SUMMARY: During June 15-16 visits to two former U.S. military bases, the Subic and Clark special economic zones, Ambassador Kenney highlighted continuing U.S. involvement in both regions. Managers of these economic zones briefed the Ambassador on recent infrastructure projects and investment [...] |
2006-06-24 04:33:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ECON EINV EAID RP |
| 06MANILA2663 | HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR EXERCISE BALANCE PISTON [...] (U) This is an action request -- see para 5. 2. (U) JUSMAG has requested that the Mission conduct human rights vetting for units participating in exercise Balance Piston 06-05, slated to take place August 5 - 31, 2006. 3. (U) Information on participating commanders and units follows: [...] |
2006-06-26 07:00:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | MARR MOPS PHUM PREL PINR SNAR RP |
| 06MANILA2680 | AMBASSADOR CALLS ON PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE [...] (U) Summary. In a June 23 courtesy call on the Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General, the Ambassador expressed the U.S. Mission's appreciation for PNP contributions to our security, encouraged good coordination between the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines as they battl [...] |
2006-06-27 06:37:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM RP |
| 06MANILA2682 | OPPOSITION TRIES TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT ARROYO AGAIN [...] (C) Summary: Members of the Opposition filed their long-anticipated second impeachment complaint against President Arroyo in the House on June 26. The 150-page complaint includes allegations that she cheated in the 2004 elections and suppressed dissent during the week-long State of National [...] |
2006-06-27 07:07:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS PINR RP |
| 06MANILA2697 | GRP EFFORTS AGAINST EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS [...] (U) Summary: The GRP has geared up to focus more concerted attention on the troubling problem of extra-judicial killings, notably of leftist activists, journalists, judges, and suspected criminals. A month-old overall task force incorporates two existing subsidiary task forces within the Ph [...] |
2006-06-28 00:30:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL RP |
| 06MANILA2777 | GRP LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN AGAINST COMMUNIST INSURGENTS [...] (SBU) Summary: In In June 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approved a new strategy for defeating Asia's longest-running communist insurgency by the Communist Party of the Philippines and its New People's Army (CPP/NPA). Under this plan, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), with [...] |
2006-06-30 09:08:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PHUM PINS PREL RP |
| 06MANILA2824 | PHILIPPINE OFFICIALS CONDEMN NORTH KOREAN MISSILE [...] (U) In a statement issued on July 6, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo commented that "In solidarity with the international community, The Philippines condemns the missile tests of North Korea and urges that nation to refrain from further compromising the peace and security of the region and [...] |
2006-07-06 05:29:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PARM KNNP KN RP |
| 06MANILA283 | CONGRESS CALLS FOR TERMINATION/RENEGOTIATION OF [...] (C) Summary: The Philippine Congress' Legislative Oversight Committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) unanimously passed a non-binding resolution on January 19 calling for the termination of the VFA within six months and its renegotiation into a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). Appa [...] |
2006-01-19 10:03:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA2831 | POSSIBLE COURTS MARTIAL FOR FEBRUARY 24 "COUP [...] (SBU) Summary: A committee investigating an alleged failed February 24 coup d'etat may soon recommend that at least three senior military officers and perhaps dozens of junior officers face military courts on charges ranging from conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman to mutiny and sedi [...] |
2006-07-06 08:21:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PINS PGOV MARR RP |
| 06MANILA2833 | MAGUINDANAO CLASHES UNLIKELY TO UPSET PEACE PROCESS [...] (C) Summary. Armed clashes erupted between GRP security forces and elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on June 28 when police officials attempted to serve arrest warrants on two MILF commanders related to a June 23 bombing in Shariff Aguak that left seven dead. While members [...] |
2006-07-06 09:38:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS PINS KISL RP |
| 06MANILA2852 | MARINE CASE UPDATE 07/07/06 [...] The trial of the four Marines accused of raping a Filipino woman continued during the week of July 3 with the cross examination of Analisa Franco, stepsister of the complainant, and direct examination of the complainant herself on July 6. There was no hearing on July 7 due to the "distraught [...] |
2006-07-07 09:44:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA2962 | MARINE CASE UPDATE 07/14/06 [...] The trial of four Marines accused of raping a Filipino woman continued during the week of July 14 with direct and cross examination of the complainant as well as of the prosecution's chief medical witness, Dr. Raquel del Rosario-Fortun. Prosecutors established how much the complainant drank [...] |
2006-07-14 10:14:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA2969 | MARINE CASE: ANOTHER DEFENDANT SPEAKS TO MEDIA [...] LCpl Daniel Smith, one of the four marines currently on trial for alleged rape, gave an interview to the Associated Press on Saturday July 15. Local media featured his remarks extensively. He talked about how his "life has come to a screeching halt" due to the alleged incident and trial, and [...] |
2006-07-17 09:14:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA2973 | CPP/NPA - THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES [...] (SBU) Summary: In response to a renewed campaign by the Philippine Government (GRP) to defeat Asia's longest-running communist insurgency, the New People's Army (NPA) has continued its low intensity attacks throughout the country. At the same time, the National Democratic Front (NDF) is push [...] |
2006-07-17 09:58:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PHUM PINS PREL RP |
| 06MANILA2994 | UNEASY TRUCE IN MAGUINDANAO [...] (C) Summary. A week-old truce brokered by GRP officials between the Maguindanao Provincial Governor and local commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) appears to be holding, with thousands of displaced persons now returning to their homes. The Malaysian-led International Monit [...] |
2006-07-18 07:42:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS PINS KISL RP |
| 06MANILA2998 | PHILIPPINES: MOUNT MAYON VOLCANIC ACTIVITY [...] Mount Mayon, 300 kilometers (180 miles) southeast of Manila, is experiencing high levels of seismic activity and lava flows reaching 800 meters downwards from the summit. Experts here expect minimal impact on Manila, possibly increased particulates in the air. Residents within the 6-kilometer [...] |
2006-07-18 09:12:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | SENV TPHY EINV CASC EAGR PREL EAID RP |
| 06MANILA3064 | SCENESETTER FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY HILL'S VISIT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Chris, the entire US Mission welcomes you back to the Philippines! We have been busy emphasizing our partnership in this historic year; upcoming Codels will be a next stage as will President Arroyo's September trip to Hawaii. Your visit focuses on outreach in two key areas -- [...] |
2006-07-21 09:44:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL MARR ECON PGOV ETRD ECIN EAID RP |
| 06MANILA3065 | MARINE CASE UPDATE 07/21/06 [...] The trial of four Marines accused of raping a Filipino woman continued the week of July 17. The lawyer for Timoteo Soriano, the driver of the Starex van the Marines rented the night of November 1, objected to the subpoena requesting Mr. Soriano testify for the prosecution on July 17, invoking [...] |
2006-07-21 09:57:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP |
| 06MANILA3066 | DEFENSE SECRETARY SEES KAPIT BISIG AS "BIG PLUS" [...] (C) SUMMARY. Defense Secretary Cruz views the Kapit Bisig framework as a "big plus" for US-RP counterterrorism cooperation, is focused on neutralizing High Value Targets, and believes the Kapit Bisig implementing guidelines are flexible enough to accommodate a variety of circumstances. He tak [...] |
2006-07-21 10:05:00 | Embassy Manila | SECRET//NOFORN | MOPS MCAP MARR PTER PREL RP |
| 06MANILA3068 | PHILIPPINE DEFENSE REFORM HELPING TO COUNTER [...] (C) SUMMARY. Philippine Defense Reform (PDR) has produced concrete results and is becoming institutionalized within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). PDR is also helping counteract restiveness among some mid- and junior officers, which contributed to the coup attempt of February 24 [...] |
2006-07-24 00:32:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | MARR MCAP MOPS PREL PINS RP |
| 06MANILA3085 | CALLING FOR A BALANCED ASEAN STATEMENT ON MIDDLE [...] (C) The Ambassador discussed the situation in the Middle East (reftel) with Foreign Secretary Romulo on July 23, emphasizing that the United States was working hard to achieve a durable cessation to the current violence in the Middle East and to ease the plight of innocent people. She urged [...] |
2006-07-24 07:21:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ASEAN LE IS RP |
| 06MANILA3095 | ESPERON - THE BATTERING RAM [...] (C) SUMMARY. Lieutenant General Esperon succeeded General Senga as the 35th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on July 21. He has a reputation as a tough combat soldier, and has pledged both to crush Communist rebels and put down any attempt to unseat the Arroyo governmen [...] |
2006-07-24 09:57:00 | Embassy Manila | CONFIDENTIAL | MOPS MCAP PREL PTER PINR RP |
| 06MANILA3098 | SONA 2006: ARROYO PROJECTS OPTIMISM, WANTS TO SPEND [...] (SBU) Summary. With a buoyant air and an unusual high tech power point presentation, President Arroyo laid out ambitious development goals for four new supra-regions in the Philippines during the remainder of her term, and asked all to achieve together a "prosperous and united" Philippines [...] |
2006-07-24 10:54:00 | Embassy Manila | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PINS SOCI PTER RP |
| 06MANILA3143 | AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH PHILIPPINES-U.S. BUSINESS COUNCIL [...] Summary: Ambassador Kenney and Emboffs met with members of the Philippines-U.S. Business Council on July 21 to discuss areas of cooperation between the U.S. and the Philippines, including agriculture, tourism, English language proficiency, regional hubs, and trade and investment. The Ambassa [...] |