Cablegate: Manila Eac Security Review

VZCZCXRO0532
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #4481 2990907
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 260907Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3649
INFO RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS

UNCLAS MANILA 004481

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/IP/EAP, DS/IP/ITA, S/CT, EAP/EX, EAP/MTS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PTER CASC RP
SUBJECT: MANILA EAC SECURITY REVIEW

REF: A. 200530Z OCT 06 FROM JICPAC HONOLULU HI
B. MANILA 4319
C. MANILA 4290

1. (SBU) The Emergency Action Committee (EAC), chaired by
the Ambassador, met on October 25, 2006, to determine what,
if any, actions needed to be taken in light of the recent
steady stream of threat reporting that various sections of
the Embassy have been receiving. Although the usual threats
regarding Mindanao are continuing, there is now an up-tic in
reporting about possible targets in metropolitan Manila.

2. (SBU) The EAC consensus was that events occurring over
the last month may account for the increased threat
"chatter," including the end of Ramadan and the capture of JI
bomber Dumatin's wife. Furthermore, the ASG may be
emboldened by what it considers recent successes, such as the
central Mindanao bombings of October 10 and 11, 2006, and may
be looking for larger targets (REF B & C). Sources have
stated that operatives have the desire to attack the city of
Manila, but don't have the means. Historically, an upswing
of this type of threat reporting is generated around Ramadan
and through the Christmas season.

3. (SBU) The Ambassador travels extensively to all parts of
the Philippines; RSO vets all the sites, always sends an RSO
with her, and feels comfortable with her future planned
trips. The EAC concurred with a planned October 26 trip to
Marawi City.

4. (SBU) The ASEAN Summit, ASEAN 3 Summit, and East Asia
Summit will be held in Cebu in December 2006, and Embassy
Manila's Political Counselor will attend. RSO is in contact
with authorities in Cebu and offered assistance with security
preparation for the event. RSO has also asked for
specialized ATA training for the ASEAN Summit and other
scheduled events.

5. (U) The EAC concluded that REF A drew some conclusions
that may not be fully supported by the totality of the
reporting. The EAC agreed that the recent worldwide caution
already sent out by the Department, recent Warden Message
regarding central Mindanao, and the current Philippine Travel
Warning remain sufficient at this time.
KENNEY

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