Cablegate: Ambassador Calls On Philippine National Police
VZCZCXRO1204
PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #2680 1780637
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 270637Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1728
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUEABND/DEA DISTRICT OFFICE//HONOLULU//
RUCNFB/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RUEAHLC/DHS WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS MANILA 002680
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM RP
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR CALLS ON PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE
CHIEF
REF: A. MANILA 2672
B. 05 MANILA 5373
1. (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 battle the communist insurgency in order to avoid loss
of civilian life, thanked the PNP for its efforts against
anti-trafficking in persons, and highlighted U.S. support for
reform within the PNP. End Summary.
2. (U) On June 23, the Ambassador paid a courtesy call on
Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Arturo C.
Lomibao. A PNP honor guard greeted her upon arrival with the
U.S. and Philippine national anthems, after which the
Ambassador inspected the assembled officers in the company of
Deputy Director Oscar Calderon (a strong contender to replace
Lomibao when he reaches mandatory retirement age in July
2006), who expressed his enthusiastic appreciation for the
support the U.S. has given the PNP over the years.
3. (U) General Lomibao thanked the Ambassador for paying the
courtesy call, and for all the assistance the U.S. has
offered the PNP, including his opportunity to meet with the
FBI Deputy Director in the U.S. in early June. The
Ambassador expressed the U.S. Mission's appreciation for the
protection that the PNP provides the Embassy and annex
buildings, as well as for its assistance in cases involving
American Citizens and for her security detail.
4. (U) General Lomibao noted that President Arroyo had
recently asked the PNP to support the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) in the government's newly-reinvigorated
campaign against the armed insurgency of the communist New
People's Army (NPA). The Ambassador stressed that
coordination between the PNP and AFP would be essential in
order to prevent the loss of civilian life as the GRP pursued
the NPA. The Ambassador also asked Lomibao what he thought
the next steps would be in the fight against the NPA.
Lomibao responded that perhaps the PNP could join the AFP in
Balikatan and other exercises, now that the PNP was engaged
in counter-terrorism activities. The Ambassador said this
was an interesting idea that would require further study.
5. (U) Citing her tour of an anti-Trafficking in Persons
facility in Davao on June 22 (ref A), the Ambassador
expressed appreciation for the PNP's efforts in assisting TIP
victims. Lomibao singled out the PNP's Women and Children's
Concerns Division as particularly instrumental on TIP cases.
The Ambassador pledged that the U.S. Mission would continue
to work with the PNP on this issue. (Ref B discusses a
USG-sponsored anti-TIP seminar offered to WCCD officers in
November 2005.)
6. (U) The Ambassador highlighted the U.S. Mission's support
for security reforms, including the PNP's Transformational
Program, which is building on the INL-led Joint Assessment in
2005. General Lomibao noted that the first year of this
program had been successful, but that there is still an
ambitious reform agenda over the next decade. He said that
he was particularly pleased with the way the Transformation
Program was working to change the culture of the PNP and to
strengthen both its leadership and its new recruits. The
Ambassador agreed that such a transformation would help
promote a peaceful and prosperous Philippines, which is what
both our countries want.
7. (U) Joining the Ambassador were the Mission's Legal
Attache, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Attache, Acting
RSO, and Poloff (notetaker).
Kenney