Cablegate: Department Clearance for Philippines Leahy Vetting Request -

VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #1254 3501718
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 151709Z DEC 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA PRIORITY 9052
INFO RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS STATE 131254

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PINR PREL PTER KCRM SNAR MARR RP
SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT CLEARANCE FOR PHILIPPINES LEAHY VETTING REQUEST -
JUSMAG TEAK PISTON 09-1

REF: MANILA 2653

1. (SBU) The Department of State reviewed its files and found that,
as of this date, it possesses no credible information of gross
violations of human rights for the units and commanders identified
below. These units and commanders are candidates for a JUSMAG Teak
Piston 09-1 Teak Piston 09-1, which starts March 2, 2009 and ends
April 3, 2009 in the Philippines.

2. (U) Units and Commanders:

Unit: 15th Strike Wing, Philippine Air Force
Commander: COL Jose Tony E. Villarete; DOB: January 17, 1957; POB:
Iloilo City, Philippines

Unit: 16th Attack Squadron, Philippine Air Force
Commander: CPT Charlie L. Tiu, Jr.; DOB: October 7, 1971; POB:
Cagayan De Oro, Philippines

Unit: 17th Attack Squadron, Philippine Air Force
Commander: MAJ Joseph P. Archog; DOB: February 19, 1973; POB: Bontoc,
Philippines

Unit: 18th Attack Squadron, Philippine Air Force
Commander: CPT John Omar S. Herrera; DOB: April 7, 1971; POB: Davao
City, Philippines

Unit: 20th Attack Squadron, Philippine Air Force
Commander: CPT Ariel L. Ariola; DOB: February 15, 1973; POB:
Batangas, Philippines

Unit: 25th Composite Attack Squadron
Commander: CPT Arnold P. Tapia; DOB: December 5, 1969; POB: Manila,
Philippines

Unit: 220th Airlift Wing, Philippine Air Force
Commander: COL Rolando C. Hautea Jr.; DOB: December 30, 1955; POB:
Negros Occidental, Philippines

Unit: 222nd Airlift Squadron
Commander: MAJ Donald A. Madarang; DOB: April 14, 1966; POB: Quezon
City, Philippines

Unit: 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, Philippine Air Force
Commander: COL Lauro Catalino G. DeLa Cruz; DOB: April 30, 1958; POB:
Pasay City, Philippines

Unit: 210th Tactical Helicopter Squadron
Commander: CAPT Margarito A. Austria; DOB: January 25, 1972; POB:
Bohol, Philippines

Unit: 710th Special Operations Wing, Philippine Air Force
Commander: BG Jesus A. Fajardo; DOB: January 9, 1956; POB:
Pangasinan, Philippines

Unit: 770th Special Operations Combat Support Group
Commander: MAJ Emmanuel S. Bello; DOB: March 26, 1966; POB: Basilan,
Philippines

Unit: 771st Special Operations Training Squadron
Commander: 2LT Jesse Glenn A. Gagaracruz; DOB: December 26,
1982; POB: Negros Oriental, Philippines

Unit: 600 Airbase Wing, Philippine Air Force
Commander: COL Francisco M. Cuz; DOB: June 8, 1957; POB: Bataan,
Philippines

3. (U) Post may provide the following statement to authorized
parties: Embassy verifies that the Department of State possesses no
credible information of gross violations of human rights by the units
and commanders identified in paragraph 2 above, as of this date.
Post may cite this cable in response.

4. (U) If, in the future, post becomes aware of possible human rights
violations by the units and commanders listed above, post should
inform the Department and not proceed with training.

5. (U) POC for this action is Jameson DeBose:
-Email: DeBoseJL@state.gov
-Phone: 202-647-2989
RICE

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