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O 130201Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9164
INFO RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 003909 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS, SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM MASS EAID KISL RP
SUBJECT:  DCM VISIT HIGHLIGHTS U.S. COMMITMENT TO PEACE IN MINDANAO 
 
REF: 06 MANILA 4553 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary. Visiting Muslim Mindanao's cultural and religious 
hub in Marawi City, DCM spoke at Peace Week opening ceremonies, 
highlighting the American people's commitment to the ongoing peace 
process and U.S. interest in helping Mindanao achieve a peaceful and 
prosperous future. He reiterated these themes throughout a November 
28-29 visit at USAID projects; in meetings with municipal, military, 
religious, and academic leaders; and during a live radio interview. 
Civic and government leaders spoke positively about the peace 
process and appreciated our support. The enthusiastic reception at 
all events in this Muslim-majority city was reminiscent of the 
Ambassador's October 2006 visit (reftel). End Summary. 
THE ISLAMIC CITY OF MARAWI 
¶2. (U) Marawi City is Lanao del Sur's principal city, as well as 
Muslim Mindanao's educational, cultural, and religious center. The 
city is part of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and 
over 90 percent of Marawi's 131,000 residents are Muslim. Arabic is 
widely taught among the city's students; many local residents can 
read, write, and speak some Arabic, as well as the local Maranao 
dialect.  The ARMM receives 98 percent of its operating revenue from 
the national government and has no other significant sources of 
revenue. The ARMM region ranks at the bottom of all Philippine 
regions in terms of income and human development, such as spending 
on education and infrastructure. The local economy is largely based 
on agriculture and exporting. 
EXAMINING THE PEACE PROCESS WITH LOCAL LEADERS 
¶3. (SBU) Former governor of Lanao del Sur, and leading Muslim ulama, 
Mahid Mutilan, expressed optimism for the government peace 
negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 
insurgents. He cautioned, however, that confidence-building and 
demonstrable implementation at each step along the way will be 
necessary.  Mutilan recalled a conversation with previous MILF 
leader Hashim Salamat in which Salamat said the MILF would agree to 
a comprehensive peace, but not until promised government development 
programs were actually implemented. (Mutilan was tragically killed 
in a car accident just days after dinner with DCM.) 
¶4. (SBU) The DCM asked local government officials, academic leaders, 
and the city's former Mayor, Omar "Solitario" Ali whether the 
current conflict is rooted in a lack of development, an inability to 
create governance structures, or religious differences. Solitario 
insisted that a federalist structure would most effectively assure 
stability and peace, while others observed that development is 
necessary for a peace agreement. Another offered that once local 
people are empowered to manage their social and governance 
structures, rebellion would be unnecessary. Overall, contacts were 
optimistic about the peace process, although several bemoaned the 
lengthy progression. Asked how the U.S. could contribute to the 
process, several interlocutors responded that the U.S. should help 
speed it up. 
¶5. (U) Some leaders told DCM that if Maranaos were not Muslim, they 
would not be perceived as a "problem" but simply as another 
population of poor Filipinos. They explained that as Muslims, they 
seek to follow Muslim traditions, including eating their own food, 
practicing their religion, and establishing alternative government 
structures. A city councilman suggested that Maranao alienation is 
deep rooted, with some Maranaos not accepting they are Filipino 
because of the Christian and Spanish background it connotes. 
LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT 
¶6. (SBU) The local and provincial Chiefs of Police, as well as local 
government leaders formerly part of the Moro National Liberation 
Front (MNLF) leadership, told DCM they maintain contact with the 
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Police officials said they 
cannot enter MILF-controlled areas on the outskirts of Lake Lanao, 
including an active MILF camp, without coordinating with MILF 
leaders through the Ad hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG). They stated 
that family feuds are the biggest regional law enforcement problem. 
¶7. (U) The Marawi Police Station is one of ten model police stations 
under the Philippines National Police (PNP)'s transformation 
program.  Starting in December 2007, the station will receive U.S. 
Department of Justice police training focused on community policing. 
Students will learn strategies for engaging the public in the law 
enforcement process. While welcoming the program's emphasis on 
community policing, local and regional chiefs told DCM they most 
needed vehicles and radios to become more effective. 
"PEACE WEEK" AT MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY 
¶8. (U) In support of Mindanao's "Peace Week," DCM delivered a 
message at Mindanao State University's Opening Ceremonies on 
November 29. MILF officials, 17 participating NGOs, and thousands of 
university students and faculty attended. A Joint Special Operations 
Task Force medical civil affairs program on December 4, "Peace 
Week"'s culminating event, was widely and enthusiastically 
anticipated by the community. 
¶9. (U) In a meeting with DCM, Mindanao State University President 
Richard De Leon emphasized the University's mission of creating a 
common understanding across religions.  The University boasts an 
equal mix of Christians and Muslims among its students and focuses 
on teaching empathy and respect for diversity. The University offers 
an interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Global Studies Major in 
American Studies, including several courses related to the United 
States. De Leon outlined a proposal for an Institute for Religious 
 
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Studies that would engage with clergy and those interested in the 
study of world religions to facilitate exchange of ideas between 
universities and religious organizations in America and the 
Philippines. The DCM led a roundtable discussion at the U.S. 
supported American Studies Resource Center with 25 students from 
various programs. The students were enthusiastic and engaged, 
offering questions on what role the U.S. could play in creating a 
lasting and durable peace in Mindanao. There was also considerable 
interest in exchange programs. 
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE SHOWS U.S. COMMITMENT 
¶10. (SBU) In nearby Lanao del Norte Province, DCM joined Governor 
Dimaporo to inaugurate USAID's Abaga-Buenavista Road Upgrading 
Project, one of 830 community infrastructure projects constructed 
over the past four years as part of USAID's Growth and Equity in 
Mindanao (GEM) program. The U.S.-educated, 27-year old Governor told 
the enthusiastic crowd of villagers and children at the 
ribbon-cutting that, as a result of U.S. assistance projects, "we 
believe the leader of the Free World cares about us." The governor, 
a descendent of Lanao's sultan, lauded American assistance for being 
non-political, with no strings attached. 
¶11. (U) In Marawi City, DCM formally handed over a USAID Computer 
Literacy and Internet Connection (CLIC) assistance package 
consisting of a wireless broadband Internet connection, computer 
equipment, and resource materials to the Parent-Teacher-Community 
Association and school administration of Marawi Islamic Computer 
College. Although per student expenditure on education within the 
ARMM is less than U.S. $100 per year, resulting in poor scores on 
standardized achievement tests, students and administrators noted 
that CLIC resources now make it possible to receive a first-class 
education without leaving Marawi. Hundreds of students waiving 
homemade American flags greeted DCM and party. 
AFP COORDINATION 
¶12. (U) The DCM called on the local Armed Forces of the Philippines 
(AFP) Deputy Commander Colonel Paglan and visited the co-located 
U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force - Local Coordination 
Element (JSOTF-LCE). Colonel Paglan recalled the peaceful Marawi of 
his childhood in the early 1960s, when many tourists, including 
Americans, visited the lake-side city.  He reported a stable 
security environment and good liaison with local MILF commanders. 
He appreciated the support of the U.S. Liaison Element. 
MEDIA COVERAGE 
¶13. (SBU) Regional print and TV media outlets covered the USAID 
events and DCM's "Peace Week" remarks. In a live radio interview 
heard throughout Marawi City, DCM emphasized the overarching theme 
of the trip - that the American people believe in the future of 
Mindanao and believe that it will be peaceful and prosperous. The 
only challenging issue from the media was the perennial question 
about whether the U.S. is establishing "secret bases" in Mindanao, 
which DCM firmly denied. The DCM explained that USAID program 
initiatives in Mindanao, including GEM III, demonstrate that the 
American people want to contribute to Mindanao's development. 
KENNEY