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