Cablegate: Marine Case Update 06/19/06

VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHML #2548 1700318
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 190318Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1569
INFO RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 002548

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP
SUBJECT: MARINE CASE UPDATE 06/19/06

REF: MANILA 2426 AND PREVIOUS

1. (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
other actors who assisted in the speedy resolution of the
diplomatic immunity issues surrounding NCIS testimony in this
case. Local media covered the NCIS testimony widely and
fairly, drawing extensively on Mission's press statement in
its coverage. Mission has continued to emphasize in all
statements that we are committed to seeing that justice is
served through a fair and impartial trial and that both our
legal systems adhere to the concept of innocent until proven
guilty.

2. (U) Manila NCIS SA Ron Beltz and SA Guy Papageorge
testified June 14; Singapore NCIS SA Brian Curley and Manila
NCIS LES Tony Ramos testified on June 15. All testimony
focused on the witnesses' reiteration and recall of events
documented in NCIS's written reports. Singapore NCIS SA
Bruce Warshawsky is expected to give similar testimony on
June 22.

3. (U) Ambassador and Senior Mission officers continue to
ensure that senior GRP officials appreciate the importance of
a fair and impartial trial. Septel reports Ambassador and
Admiral Fallon's breakfast with President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo at which this issue was briefly discussed.

4. (U) Mission continues to provide security, citizen
service, and other support to the Marines during the trial.
Personnel from Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF),
JUSMAG, Regional Security Office (RSO), and the Consular
Section continue to attend all court sessions. RSO remains
pleased with the extent and quality of security support being
provided by the mayor's office and police department in
Makati, where the trial is taking place.

Kenney

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