VZCZCXRO3880
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #1094/01 0940712
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 040712Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5974
INFO RUEHZS/ASEAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 001094 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PTER EAID SOCI MOPS RP
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR VISITS JOLO TO HIGHLIGHT ASSISTANCE 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY.  The Ambassador and senior Embassy officials focused 
attention on U.S. assistance programs with a visit to Jolo Island in 
Mindanao's Sulu Province.  The highlight was the inauguration of the 
Jolo Consumers' Cooperative rebuilt through the combined efforts of 
members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military. 
The ceremony took place on the one year anniversary of its bombing 
by terrorists.   Local officials and residents enthusiastically 
welcomed the delegation as well as ongoing and future assistance 
programs.  Local and national media covered each event extensively, 
and the trip was featured on two major Philippine television 
networks that evening.  End Summary. 
 
Back to Jolo 
--------------- 
 
¶2.  On March 27, the Ambassador again traveled to Jolo Island in 
Mindanao's Sulu Province to meet with local officials and view the 
progress and benefits of several projects supported by the U.S. 
Agency for International Development (USAID) and Joint Special 
Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P). USAID Mission Director, 
Acting JUSMAG Chief, and Commander, JSOTF-P, accompanied the 
Ambassador.  The southern region of Mindanao, where Sulu is located, 
has been the base of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group and Jemaah 
Islamiyah, both affiliated with Al-Qaeda and both on the U.S. 
Government's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations. 
 
Improving Rule of Law 
---------------------------- 
 
¶3.  At the Regional Trial Court of Sulu in Jolo Town, the Ambassador 
presided over the transfer of equipment valued in excess of 
US$33,000, including tables, chairs, file cabinets, computers, and 
fax machines.   This equipment is part of a larger US$150,000 
USAID-funded effort to upgrade the facilities of all 14 Regional 
Trial Courts of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), 
where Jolo is located.  USAID had in November 2006 already turned 
over books and reference materials to the Executive Judges 
representing the ARMM Regional Trial Courts.  Joining the ceremony 
were a Presiding Judge of Sulu Regional Trial Court and Executive 
Judge of Shariah Courts, the Provincial Prosecutor, the District 
Attorney, and Trial Court personnel.  In her remarks, the Ambassador 
stressed the importance of having a well functioning judicial system 
and the necessity of ensuring the fair administration of justice to 
all citizens.  Both the Presiding Judge and Provincial Prosecutor 
expressed deep gratitude for the assistance provided, and noted 
remaining needs. 
 
Lighting up 
-------------- 
 
¶4.  A separate ceremony at the Capitol Building in Jolo Town 
highlighted USAID's provision of solar powered electricity in 
various locations throughout the Province of Sulu.  Since 2002, 
USAID's Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy (AMORE) 
Project has provided renewable energy (solar or micro-hydro) to 319 
villages in Mindanao.  Among other private sector supporters, Mirant 
Philippines Corporation has provided US $4 million towards the 
project.  Nearly 1,500 additional families in Sulu now have electric 
power.  Additionally, nine schools have received electricity to 
permit them to access distance learning programs, 34 electric street 
lights have been installed, and 17 community centers provided with 
electric power.  Another 39 Sulu villages will be electrified by May 
2007, taking the total for the province to 88. 
 
¶5.  After the Ambassador symbolically "switched on" the power, the 
Governor of Sulu offered his thanks to all the contributing partners 
for the project.  A child read a letter describing how 
electrification had improved her life, enabling her to study more 
and become a better student.  The Ambassador emphasized that the 
electrification program lays a foundation for the future for all the 
families that live in Sulu - a future that rejects terrorism and 
that seeks opportunities to grow and prosper in an environment of 
peace and security. 
 
Staying in school 
--------------------- 
 
¶6.  At Sulu National High School in Jolo, the Ambassador met with 
educators and presided over the transfer of equipment worth 
US$10,500.  An enthusiastic crowd of more than 1,000 students, 
parents and teachers greeted her.  The program highlighted USAID's 
Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills 
Program (EQuALLS), which provides educational assistance to 
municipalities in Sulu Province (and elsewhere in Mindanao). 
 
¶7.  With the assistance of another local partner, the Education & 
Livelihood Skills Alliance, USAID also helps provide infrastructure 
improvements, school construction assistance, and the provision of 
school supplies including desks, textbooks, and reference materials. 
 
MANILA 00001094  002 OF 002 
 
 
 This project develops various trade skills such as baking/cooking, 
carpentry, dressmaking, fish processing, and welding.  Given that 
less than half of all local high school students are expected to 
attend college, the program provides training to enable the youths 
to acquire skills needed to engage in productive work after high 
school.  The Ambassador cited the importance of developing necessary 
skills to pursue a vocation, and offered encouragement to all to 
continue their efforts and education.  She also conducted a live 
radio interview on the site with two local stations. 
 
Rebuilding from the ashes 
------------------------------- 
 
¶8.  At the Sulu Consumers' Cooperative, site of a deadly March 2006 
terrorist bombing, the Ambassador joined Philippine Western Mindanao 
Commander General Eugenio Cedo and Commander, Task Force Comet, 
General Ruben Rafael, 3P Foundation USA Chairman Armando De Rossi, 
numerous local government and military officials, and members of 
JSOTF-P, which had provided reconstruction assistance.  A survivor 
of the bombing thanked the USG for the medical treatment he had 
received for burn wounds from the U.S.  Navy hospital ship Mercy. 
The Ambassador praised the citizens for their collective will and 
successful efforts to reestablish the market, and highlighted that 
it sent a resoundingly clear message that terrorism and those who 
seek to destroy innocent lives will not prevail.   The participants 
then unveiled two monuments dedicated to those who lost their lives 
during the bombing. 
 
¶9.   COMMENT.  The warmth and enthusiasm of local residents was a 
moving demonstration of the desire of the local population for peace 
and against terrorism.  The work of USAID and JSOTF-P, together with 
their civilian and military partners, has given the population of 
the Province of Sulu a taste of life without terrorism, effectively 
reclaiming the area from the terrorists operating there.  Such 
programs remain the key to continuing to isolate the population from 
the terrorists. 
 
KENNEY