VZCZCXYZ0004
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHML #3162/01 2620309
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 190309Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8307

UNCLAS MANILA 003162 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MTS AND EAP/RSP 
LABOR FOR ILAB 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB EAID OTRA RP
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE FOR DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 
EVALUATOR DR. FRED HUXLEY 
 
REF: E-MAIL INGENERI/FULLERTON/MURTAGH 09/18/07 
 
¶1. (U) Embassy Manila welcomes and grants country clearance 
to Dr. Fred Huxley, an independent evaluator for the U.S. 
Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, 
for his September 21-October 1 visit.  Control Officer is 
Political Officer Barry Fullerton, who can be contacted at 
(63 2) 528-6300 ext. 2350 (office), fax: (63 2) 523-1195, 
cell phone: (63) 918-948-6493 or by email at 
FullertonTB@state.gov.  Dr. Huxley should contact the Control 
Officer to arrange a meeting at the Embassy. 
 
¶2. (U) Post notes that no other Embassy assistance is 
required. 
 
¶3. (U) All TDY visitors to the Philippines staying more than 
one week are required to attend a Regional Security Office 
(RSO) security briefing upon arrival. Visitors to Manila are 
required to reside only in hotels that have been approved by 
the RSO.  Please be advised that world events may lead to 
rapid changes in the local security environment, 
necessitating last-minute cancellations of country 
clearances. 
 
¶4. (U) Terrorism: The terrorist threat to American citizens 
in the Philippines remains high. The Embassy continues to 
receive reports of ongoing activities and of planned multiple 
attacks throughout the Philippines by known terrorist groups. 
The Embassy urges visitors to observe vigilant personal 
security precautions, to remain aware of the continued 
potential for terrorist attacks against Americans, and U.S. 
or other Western interests in the Philippines. 
 
The Philippine government has been engaged on and off in 
negotiations with Communist and Muslim rebel groups. 
Nonetheless, rebel activity and armed banditry in certain 
areas of the Philippines still pose security concerns. The 
Communist Party of the Philippines and its terrorist military 
arm, the New People's Army, operate throughout the country 
and have issued public threats against U.S. citizens and 
interests in the Philippines. Americans are urged to exercise 
caution when traveling throughout the country and are 
specifically warned to avoid hiking or camping in the 
vicinity of Mt. Pinatubo in Pampanga Province. 
 
In Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, kidnappings, bombings, 
violence, and insurgent activity make travel hazardous in 
many areas. The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), which the U.S. 
Government has designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization, 
has kidnapped several Americans and other foreign tourists 
since April 2000. Some were freed after substantial ransoms 
were paid, some escaped or were rescued by military action, 
and some were killed. Other kidnapping gangs operate in the 
same general area and have abducted a number of foreigners 
for ransom. 
 
Operatives of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), which the U.S. 
Government has also designated a Foreign Terrorist 
Organization, are also present in the Philippines. JI is an 
extremist group linked to al-Qaeda and other regional 
terrorist groups and has cells operating throughout Southeast 
Asia. Extremist groups in the region have demonstrated a 
capability to carry out transnational attacks in locations 
where Westerners congregate. Terrorist groups do not 
distinguish between official and civilian targets. 
 
U.S. citizens and interests may be at increased risk of 
terrorist actions from foreign or domestic extremist groups 
in the Philippines. There are periodic reports of plans for 
possible terrorist acts aimed at U.S. Government facilities 
or personnel, public and private institutions, and 
transportation carriers. The Embassy takes all such threats 
seriously. The RSO reminds all visitors to remain vigilant 
with regard to personal security issues and always to follow 
basic and important security countermeasures: do not 
establish a pattern or routine in movement and travel; vary 
the times and routes taken to the extent possible; maintain a 
low profile; and immediately report any unusual activity, to 
include possible surveillance, to the RSO. 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 
visitors are urged to review the State Department's most 
recent Public Announcement on the Philippines. Due to the 
United States' efforts in the ongoing War Against Terrorism, 
the potential for retaliatory acts against Americans 
worldwide is real. 
 
¶5. (U) Crime: As in many of the major metropolitan areas in 
 
the United States, crime is a serious concern in Metro 
Manila.  As a rule of thumb, visitors are advised to exercise 
good judgment and remain aware of their surroundings. Reports 
of confidence games, pick-pocketing and credit card fraud are 
common. Be wary of unknown individuals who attempt to 
befriend you, especially just after you have arrived in 
country. A number of recent robberies and assaults involving 
the "date rape drug" (known locally as Ativan) have occurred; 
the drug is generally administered to unwitting male and 
female visitors via food or drink. It is best not to accept 
food, drink or rides in private vehicles from strangers, even 
if they appear legitimate. There have been several 
kidnappings and violent assaults of foreigners in the Metro 
Manila area, although Americans have not been specifically 
targeted in such crimes. There have also been reports of 
gunmen robbing foreign passengers in vehicles traveling to 
and from the international airport. 
 
¶6. (U) Taxis are the recommended form of public 
transportation.  However, the following safeguards are 
important: do not enter a taxi if it has already accepted 
another passenger; and, request that the meter be used. If 
the driver is unwilling to comply with your requests, it is 
best to wait for another cab. It is also a good idea to make 
a mental note of the license plate number should there be a 
problem.  When driving in the city, make certain that the 
doors are locked and the windows rolled up. All other forms 
of public transportation, such as the light rail system, 
buses, and "jeepneys," should be avoided for both safety and 
security reasons. 
 
¶7. (U) Visitors should also be vigilant when using credit 
cards. One common form of credit card fraud involves the 
illicit use of an electronic device to retrieve and record 
information, including the PIN, from the card's magnetic 
strip. The information is then used to make unauthorized 
purchases. To limit your vulnerability to this scam, never 
let your card out of your sight.  A continuing problem is the 
commercial scam or sting that attempts to sell or to seek 
negotiation of fraudulent U.S. securities. Visitors should be 
wary when presented with supposed Federal Reserve Notes or 
U.S. securities for sale or negotiation. Common sense is the 
rule of thumb. 
 
¶8. (U) 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 visitors 
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. 
 
¶9. (U) 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. 
 
KENNEY