Cablegate: Philippine Views On M/V Golden Nori Piracy

VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHML #3615 3110838
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 070838Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8829
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE

S E C R E T MANILA 003615

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/RSA JUN BANDO
STATE FOR EAP/RSP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2017
TAGS: EWWT IMO KCRM PBTS PGOV PHSA PM PREL RP SO
UNSC
SUBJECT: PHILIPPINE VIEWS ON M/V GOLDEN NORI PIRACY

REF: A. A. STATE 152276
B. B. FERNANDEZ-LAKHDHIR 11/02/07 TELCON
C. C. STATE 151235

Classified By: PolCouns Tom Gibbons, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

1. (S) As relayed to Department via ref B telcon, poloff on
November 2 delivered to the Department of Foreign Affairs
reftel C points regarding the actions of U.S. naval vessels
that responded to the Panamanian tanker M/V Golden Nori's
call for assistance off the coast of Somalia. The DFA was
unable to provide additional information regarding the
identity of Filipinos among the crew. Points of contact for
the case are Special Assistant Lorenzo Junco and Executive
Director Cresente Relacion, of the Office of the
Undersecretary for Migrant Worker Affairs.

2. (S) As requested reftel A, poloff on November 7 further
discussed the Golden Nori case with Executive Director
Cresente Relacion, outlining that the U.S. is considering a
range of options, and will continue to consult with affected
states regarding any actions. When Mr. Relacion was asked
about Philippine legal procedures and precedents that might
enable the Philippines to accept custody of, and prosecute,
persons apprehended in connection with the piracy of the
Golden Nori, Mr. Relacion responded that since the tanker was
not Philippine flagged and the incident did not occur in
Philippine territorial waters, there was no basis or
precedent under Philippine law for prosecution of the
pirates. He went on to ask that the Embassy keep the
Philippine government apprised of developments in the case.
KENNEY

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