Cablegate: Request for Inl Funding for Maritime Police Unit

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DE RUEHML #3789/01 2510915
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O 080915Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2880
INFO RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA IMMEDIATE 6515
RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR IMMEDIATE 0511
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEAWJA/DOJ WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNS/COMSOCPAC HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//OSD/ISA/AP// IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 003789

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE, SIPDIS

STATE FOR INL/RICHARDS, EAP/RSP, AND EAP/MTS
DOJ FOR ICITAP/BARR
USPACOM ALSO FOR JIATF-WEST AND FPA HUSO
JOINT STAFF J5 (WILKES/ROBINSON/CLEMMONS)
OSD/ISA/AP (LAWLESS/TOOLAN/BAILEY)

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PTER PINS PREL ASEC PBTS SNAR RP
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR INL FUNDING FOR MARITIME POLICE UNIT

1. (U) This is an action request - see para 9.

2. (U) SUMMARY. The Philippines faces a serious problem in
controlling the transit of narcotics, terrorists, and contraband
through its vulnerable western border island of Palawan, the home of
the Malampaya gas project and numerous tourist resorts. Improving
the capabilities of the Philippine National Police Maritime Group on
Palawan could help plug this gap. We request $2 million in INL
funding to meet this critical need, which will complement other
efforts to improve regional maritime security in the Sulu and
Sulwesi Seas. END SUMMARY.

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PALAWAN: A CRITICAL VULNERABILITY
---------------------------------

3. (SBU) As we grapple with how to help the Philippines exert
greater control over its maritime borders and internal seas,
controlling the transit of narcotics, terrorists, and contraband
through the island of Palawan on the northern edge of the Sulu Sea
has become an increasingly troubling problem. The home to the
Malampaya Natural Gas Project, a $4.5 billion dollar facility that
provides some 30-percent of the Philippines' power needs, and
numerous high-end tourist resorts frequented by U.S. and other
foreign tourists, Palawan lacks a credible maritime interdiction
capacity. Philippine Navy Special Operations Units are focused on
the Sulu Archipelago and the Philippine Coast Guard Special
Operations Group and Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group
have limited assets to address the problem.

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MARITIME POLICE POTENTIAL CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
--------------------------------------------- -

4. (SBU) The 2005 RP-U.S. Joint Law Enforcement Assessment noted
that an infusion of resources could significantly improve the
ability of the PNP Maritime Group to combat terrorism; narcotics and
other smuggling; and, trafficking in persons. We believe a targeted
effort to make a Maritime Group unit on Palawan a center of
excellence in the PNP's Transformation Program could help address
the critical needs on the island. The proposed six-boat unit, which
would have a PNP Maritime Group core, would include elements of the
Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. PNP
Deputy Director General Razon, who oversees the Transformation
effort, has in principle approved the concept. A memorandum of
agreement would specify that the PNP would have responsibility for
sustainment costs beyond the first year of operation.

5. (SBU) Our proposal is built around a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat
(RHIB) similar to those already used by the Philippine Navy, which
will allow for interoperability. The unit would be located on the
Philippine Navy base at Porta Princessa, Palawan, to ensure security
and adequate training facilities. It would be able potentially to
interoperate with ICITAP-funded Indonesian National Police maritime
unit counterparts that will be based in Northern Kalimantan.
Informal discussions with Joint Interagency Task Force-West
(JIATF-West) and Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC)
representatives have indicated willingness to provide trainers, as
well as potentially to construct needed boat houses and ramps. We
will formalize these commitments should INL funding be approved.

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EQUIPMENT PACKAGE
-----------------

6. (U) The recommended Police Maritime Unit equipment package would
consist of:

a. Boats and associated equipment

- 6 X 7-meter Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB) with twin 150HP outboard
engines and stanchions for two 240G 7.62 machine guns ($152,500 ea.
X 6 = $915,000)
- 6 X RADIO, VHF-FM Marine Band ($630 ea. X 6 = $3,780)
- 6 X Trailer ($7,875 ea. X 6 = $47,250)
- Fixed Bauer compressor ($12,000)
- Pressure Washer ($300 ea. X 2 = $600)
- Boat spare parts, consumables, special tools and diagnostic
equipment including spare outboard engines ($215,000)

Note: PNP would be required to provide the prime mover for each
boat.

b. Boat team equipment (based on a 14-man team per boat):

-12 X AN/PVS-7D Night Vision Goggles ($3,940 ea. X 12 = $47,280)
- 6 X Bushnell Marine 7X50 Waterproof Binoculars ($190 ea. X 6 =
$1,140)
- 6 X 5 Watt (20M) Submersible hand-held Radio w/GPS ($14,250 ea. X
6 = $85,500)
- 6 X 5 Watt Multi-band hand-held 30-512Mhz Dipole Antenna ($2,720
ea. X 6 = $16,320)

Body Armor:
-- 168 X RBR-ALP Ballistic Plate, multi-curve, 10 x 12", Level III
($300 ea. X 168 = $50,400)
-- 84 X STRIKE Commando Recon Chest Harness, Grey ($104 ea. X 84 =
$8,736)
-- 84 X STRIKE Back Plate Carrier, Grey ($64 ea. X 84 = $5,376)
-- 50 X Level IIIa Ballistic Helmet (Small), Mark II ($215 ea. X 50
= $10,750)
-- 34 X Level IIIa Ballistic Helmet (Medium), Mark II ($238 ea. X 34
= $8,092)
-- 34 X Protec Helmet (M) ($32 ea. X 34 = $1,088)
-- 50 X Protec Helmet (S) ($34 ea. X 50 = $1,700)
-- 84 X Ballistic Eye Protection ($6 ea. X 84 = $504)

Assorted Tools ($4,000):
-- 1,100 X Flex-cuffs
-- 6 X Bolt Cutters
-- 6 X Hooligan Rescue Tool, 30"
-- 6 X Sledge Hammer

6 X GPS, Hand Held, Grey color ($235 ea. X 6 = $1,410)
84 X Life Preserver, Yoke ($216 ea. X 84 = $18,144)
84 X Light, Marker, Distress ($97 ea. X 84 = $8,148)
100 X Cartridge, Carbon Dioxide ($2 ea. X 100 = $200)
84 X Silva Ranger Compass ($48 ea. X 84 = $4,032)

Maritime Police Unit Cost Breakdown:
a. 6 X 7-meter RHIBs and equipment = $1,193,630
b. Boat Team equipment = $272,820
c. Estimated transportation costs = $35,000
d. Boat handling, maintenance, and interdiction training = $250,000

Total equipment and training costs = $1,751,450

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CONTRACT MARITIME POLICE ADVISOR
--------------------------------

7. (U) We believe a contract ICITAP Technical Advisor in Palawan
would be needed to oversee training of the unit during its initial
year of operation. He would report to and coordinate his activities
with the resident Senior Law Enforcement Advisor. The PNP would be
asked to provide office space, a telephone line, and a local staff
assistant.

Estimated costs:

Salary, housing, and incidentals = $180,000
International Travel = $5,000
Domestic Travel = $7,000
Office Start-up (computer, printer, cellphone, etc.) = $6,000

Total personnel costs: $198,000

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SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO REGIONAL MARITIME SECURITY
--------------------------------------------- ---------

8. (SBU) The total cost of this proposal is approximately $2
million. Post firmly believes that INL funding would help the
Philippine National Police protect key infrastructure and secure a
principal maritime corridor from criminal and terrorist activity.
The Senior Law Enforcement Advisor and contract maritime police
advisor will assist in the development and implementation of a
tailored training program, so that the Palawan unit can serve as a
replicable professionally managed prototype for other maritime law
enforcement units. By improving the ability of the PNP Maritime
Group to respond effectively to the transnational criminal and
terrorist challenges confronting the Philippines, we will make a
substantial contribution to overall regional maritime security.
This would be money well spent.

9. (U) Action Request: Post requests $2 million in INL funding to
implement the above proposal.
JONES

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