VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHML #0104/01 0100921
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 100921Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4604
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE 5942
RUEHGZ/AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU IMMEDIATE 4291
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG IMMEDIATE 4510
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 000104 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR R; EAP/PD AGRIMES; EAP/MTS; S/ES-EX 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: OVIP OTRA KPAO CH RP
 
SUBJECT:  COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR KAREN P. HUGHES, UNDER SECRETARY FOR 
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY, AND HER DELEGATION TO THE 
PHILIPPINES, JANUARY 24-27, 2007. 
 
REF:  (A) STATE 02899; (B) MANILA 0041 
 
¶1.  Embassy Manila warmly welcomes and grants country clearance to 
Karen P. Hughes, Under Secretary for Public Affairs and Public 
Diplomacy; Col. Christopher Krisinger, Senior Advisor; and Ms. 
Katherine D. Balls, Special Assistant, for their January 24-27, 2007 
visit to the Philippines. 
 
¶2.  Lee McClenny, Counselor for Public Affairs, will be the Control 
Officer for this visit.  Mr. McClenny's contact info is as follows: 
-- Email: McClennyL@state.gov 
-- Office tel: (63-2) 523-1326 
-- Cell Phone: (63-918) 948-6456 
-- Fax: (63-2) 522-1802 
 
¶3.  Under Secretary Hughes and delegation will be met at the airport 
by Embassy staff.  Post will gladly fulfill lodging, tech support, 
and fiscal requirements listed in Ref A. 
 
¶4.  We have made reservations for Secretary Hughes, Col. Krisinger, 
and Ms. Balls at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel; tel: (63-2) 750-8888; 
fax: (63-2) 817-2472.  We will provide room assignment information 
to Col. Krisinger. 
 
¶5.  We have sent a scenesetter for the visit in septel (Ref B). 
 
¶6.  For all visitors - Terrorism:  In light of recent events, the 
State Department urges all visitors to maintain a high level of 
vigilance and to increase their security awareness when traveling 
throughout the Philippines.  All travelers are urged to review the 
State Department's most recent Public Announcement on the 
Philippines.  Due to the United States' efforts in the on-going War 
Against Terrorism, the potential for retaliatory acts against 
Americans worldwide is real. 
 
The terrorist threat to Americans in the Philippines remains high, 
and the Embassy continues to receive reports of ongoing activities 
by known terrorists groups.  In view of a number of security-related 
incidents and the possibility of future terrorism, and other 
violence or criminal activity, Americans traveling to or residing in 
the Philippines are urged to exercise great caution and maintain 
heightened security awareness.  The Government of the Philippines 
(GRP) has been engaged on-and-off in negotiations with domestic 
Communist and Muslim rebels with varying degrees of success.  The 
countrywide Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP) and its armed 
wing, the New People's Army (NPA), remains a force to be reckoned 
with and at times represents a security concern to American citizens 
and interests.  Although it does not specifically target Americans, 
the Mindanao-based Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has in the 
past waged violent, armed struggle against the Philippine 
Government, and Americans should bear this in mind if traveling to 
areas where the MILF operates.  Extremist groups present in 
Southeast Asia, such as Jemaah Islamiyah, have demonstrated 
transnational capabilities to carry out attacks against locations 
where Westerners congregate.  Terrorist groups do not distinguish 
between official and civilian targets. 
 
¶7.  The U.S. Embassy urges visitors to avoid large crowds, 
including, among other places, nightclubs and bars, and to exercise 
special caution in public places or when using public 
transportation.  Visitors should always follow some very basic and 
important security countermeasures:  a) avoid establishing a pattern 
or routine; b) vary travel times and routes to the extent possible 
-- particularly important for home to office transportation; and c) 
maintain a low profile.  It is also important immediately to report 
any unusual activity, including possible surveillance, to the RSO. 
 
¶8.  Extortionists have kidnapped several Filipinos and foreigners, 
including five American children, in recent years.  Kidnappers 
operating in Metro Manila and throughout the Philippines have 
snatched family members of prominent local business leaders and 
politicians for financial gain, to make a political statement, or as 
part of business, land, or personal disputes.  In January 2004, an 
American businessman was abducted in the Makati commercial district 
of Metro Manila and was held captive for 21 days before he was 
rescued by Philippine law enforcement authorities. 
 
¶9.  Crime:  Crime is a serious concern in Manila, not unlike many of 
the major metropolitan areas in the United States.  Common sense is 
the rule of thumb.  There are frequent reports of confidence games, 
pick pocketing, moneychanger and credit card fraud.  No one is 
immune from criminal activity due to the eroding economic situation 
in the Philippines.  We urge all visitors to be wary of individuals 
who attempt to befriend you, especially after just arriving in 
country, and do not accept food or drink from strangers.  There have 
 
 
been a few reports of robberies involving the "date rape drug," 
locally known as Ativan.  These crimes involve a well-dressed, 
well-mannered stranger(s) who befriends the victim and offer 
refreshments laced with Ativan; after losing consciousness, the 
victim is robbed and then dumped in an isolated spot. 
 
Avoid wearing too much jewelry and carrying large amounts of money 
on your person.  Visitors should take advantage of safety deposit 
boxes at hotels.  It is advisable to carry only what you need in 
your shirt or front pants pocket.  Considering Metro Manila is 
teeming with nighttime activity, avoid wandering in unfamiliar areas 
alone, particularly at night.  Visitors who frequent lower quality 
nightclubs and bars are susceptible to drugging (Ativan) and 
robbery. 
 
¶10.  Travel:  Before traveling to the Philippines, we urge you 
to visit the State Department's web site at www.state.gov for the 
latest security and travel information.  All Americans should defer 
travel to isolated beach resorts and avoid personal travel to the 
islands of Mindanao and Sulu Archipelago.  The RSO must approve all 
official travel to these islands in advance.  Finally, Americans are 
warned to avoid hiking or camping in the Mt. Pinatubo area. 
 
Within the Metro Manila area, taxis are the recommended form of 
public transportation and are generally safe.  You should request 
that the meter be used--if the driver is unwilling, wait for another 
cab.  We recommend that you jot down or make a mental note of the 
license plate number of the taxi should problems arise.  All other 
forms of public transportation, such as the light rail system, 
jeepneys, or public buses should be avoided for both safety and 
security reasons. 
 
If you have additional security-related questions, you may contact 
the RSO either through your control officer or directly at (632) 
528-6300, ext 2290, (632) 522-2337 (FAX), or at RSOmanila@state.gov 
(unclassified email). 
 
Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm 
 
JONES