VZCZCXRO7346
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #0881/01 0750930
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 160930Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUERAIX/CDR FT MONROE VA IMMEDIATE
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5723
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 000881 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR GENERAL WALLACE FROM AMBASSADOR KENNEY 
STATE FOR EAP, PM, AND EAP/MTS 
USPACOM ALSO FOR FPA HUSO AND J5 
SECDEF/OSD/ISA/AP (TOOLAN/BAILEY) 
JOINT STAFF/J5 (WILKES/ROBINSON/CLEMMONS) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MARR MASS MOPS MCAP PREL RP
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR GENERAL WILLIAM WALLACE 
 
¶1.  (SBU) SUMMARY.  General Wallace, welcome to the 
Philippines!  I know your visit is short, but I am sure you 
will find it productive.  You are coming to the Philippines 
at an important time.  The Armed Forces of the Philippines is 
demonstrating impressive combat prowess in ongoing operations 
against Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists on the 
island of Jolo.  Under the leadership of Chief of Staff 
General Esperon, the AFP is fully committed to the Defense 
Reform and Battalion Retraining Programs.  You will have a 
chance to see some of these improvements yourself in visits 
to the Philippine Army's Training and Doctrine Command at 
Camp O'Donnell and Fort Magsaysay, the future home of a 
National Training Center.  END SUMMARY. 
 
INCREASED COMBAT PROWESS 
------------------------ 
 
¶2.  (SBU) With U.S. support, the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines (AFP) has begun to demonstrate impressive combat 
prowess in its ongoing anti-terrorism operation on the 
southern island of Jolo.  AFP troops -- including soldiers, 
Marines, airmen, and sailors -- have remained engaged in 
sustained action against Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah 
terrorists since August 1, 2006.  Improved operational 
readiness rates for aircraft and vessels, casualty treatment, 
night helicopter medical evacuations, and tactical field 
skills are directly attributable to U.S. training, advice, 
and assistance.  During your visit, you will have the 
opportunity to watch a shoot-house demonstration by one of 
the Light Reaction Companies, the U.S.-trained and -equipped 
national-level counterterrorism force, whose combat veterans 
have participated in operations on Jolo.  Fort Magsaysay is 
the planned future home of the Philippine military's National 
Training Center, which will closely follow U.S. doctrine. 
 
COMMITMENT TO DEFENSE REFORM 
---------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Much of the success on Jolo can be traced to the 
Philippine Defense Reform Program, which is transforming the 
Philippine military into a more transparent, accountable, and 
effective institution.  This U.S.-supported effort aims at a 
complete restructuring of the military establishment ranging 
from personnel management and logistics to acquisition and 
training.  With the advice of a 13-member team of U.S. 
experts, the AFP and Department of National Defense have 
already registered significant improvements in casualty care 
and operational readiness rates.  The newly begun Battalion 
Retraining Program aims to retrain all 78 Army and 11 Marine 
battalions.  You will visit the new Training and Doctrine 
Command at Camp O'Donnell, where the AFP is also establishing 
a service-wide Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Academy. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Your counterpart, Major General Bernardo De Luna, 
plans to accompany you with his sergeant major throughout 
your entire trip.  We take this as a very positive sign of 
his willingness to engage you on how to improve his fledgling 
command.  AFP Chief of Staff General Hermogenes "Jun" Esperon 
has made enlisted and NCO development two of his top 
priorities.  Your private dinner with General Esperon, 
Philippine Army commander Lieutenant General Tolentino, and 
Major General De Luna should offer you the opportunity for a 
frank and productive exchange among professional soldiers. 
 
TIES THAT BIND 
-------------- 
 
¶5.  (U) Your trip will conclude with a simple wreath-laying 
ceremony at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. 
Dedicated in 1960, the cemetery houses the remains of 16,363 
U.S. military and 570 Philippine nationals who served with 
U.S. forces in the Southwest Pacific during World War II and 
memorializes over 36,000 others whose bodies were never 
found.  It is the largest World War II cemetery operated by 
the American Battle Monuments Commission, and is a quiet 
reminder of the ties of blood shed together that bind our two 
countries together. 
 
Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm 
 
MANILA 00000881  002 OF 002 
 
 
KENNEY