VZCZCXRO1081
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #2386/01 2960804
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 220804Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2134
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002386 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL KPAO RP USAID
SUBJECT:  HIGHLIGHTING U.S. SUPPORT FOR PEACE AND PROSPERITY IN 
SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES 
 
¶1.  Summary.  During an October 14 visit to the terrorist-affiliated 
Southern Philippines island of Jolo, Sulu Province, the Ambassador 
expressed solidarity with the people of Mindanao and emphasized the 
United States government's continued support for peace and 
prosperity in Mindanao. Groundbreakings for the construction of 
airport runway improvements, water distribution system enhancements, 
and the construction of a new firehouse exhibited USG commitment to 
enhanced infrastructure and economic development.  The Ambassador 
also visited with local elementary students who are participating in 
a community reading program and with local high school students 
receiving scholarships to complete their last two years of 
education. The visit showcased the depth of USG involvement in Jolo, 
as development projects, public diplomacy and defense resources 
combine to assist the people and local governments of Jolo and Sulu. 
 Local residents warmly welcomed the Ambassador and her delegation 
and reaffirmed their friendship and partnership with USG. 
Ambassador's trip was widely covered by national and regional media 
outlets. End summary. 
 
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JOLO TOWN 
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¶2.  The city of Jolo is the capital of the island province of Sulu 
and part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.  It is the 
largest town in Sulu, and the province's center of commerce.  Tausug 
is the dominant language and the population is 94% Muslim.  Although 
the security situation is much improved in Jolo City compared to a 
few years ago, it continues to face challenges due to the presence 
of international terrorists. The U.S. Joint Special Operations Task 
Force group located in Jolo works closely with the Armed Forces of 
the Philippines in carrying out civil-military operations and 
providing training. 
 
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GROUNDBREAKINGS SIGNAL NEW BEGINNINGS IN JOLO 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶3.  Groundbreaking events for two new infrastructure projects 
showcased the U.S. commitment and continued support for economic 
growth and peace in the Mindanao region.  The Jolo Airport Runway 
Improvement Project will expand the runway and enable commercial 
jets to land, and thus permit the export of Jolo's products to 
national and international markets.  Improvements to the Jolo Water 
Distribution System will better ensure access to potable water. Both 
projects are funded with U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) "1207 
Program" resources and are excellent opportunities for USAID, the 
Department of State and DOD to jointly plan and develop initiatives 
that serve dual development and security objectives.  The Ambassador 
delivered messages at both USAID-sponsored activities that 
reaffirmed the USG support for a peaceful and prosperous Mindanao 
region.  Governor Tan of Sulu thanked the Ambassador for her 
numerous visits and expressed his appreciation for the continuing 
U.S. support and friendship. 
 
¶4.   The groundbreaking for the new firehouse building, which is 
being constructed with assistance from the U.S. Joint Special 
Operations Task Force of the Philippines, signaled a new beginning 
for the dedicated firefighters of Jolo.  The Firefighters expressed 
their delight at having a new, modern, and comfortable building. 
The Ambassador thanked the firefighters for their hard work and the 
local government for their dedication to the safety of the 
community.  There was a spirited clamor for photographs, 
particularly when local women invited the Ambassador to participate 
in a traditional dance. 
 
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LUNCH MEETING WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS AND PHILIPPINE MILITARY 
OFFICERS 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶5.  Governor Tan hosted a lunch at his home for the Ambassador, the 
Jolo City Mayor, Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao 
Commander, Major General Nelson Allaga, Sulu Military Chief 
Brigadier General Juancho Sabban, and mayors from throughout Sulu 
Province. During the ensuing in-depth conversation about USG 
assistance to Sulu, all parties affirmed their commitment to 
development in Sulu through partnership and collaboration.  The 
local leaders assured the Ambassador that Jolo was committed to 
peace and its residents rejected violence and terrorism, and the 
Ambassador underscored the continuing U.S. support and assistance 
for peace and prosperity.   The local military and civil authorities 
updated the Ambassador on the overall security situation and 
discussed the outlook for peace in Central Mindanao.   The local 
officials expressed great interest in the upcoming U.S. elections. 
 
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A BRIGHTER FUTURE THROUGH EDUCATION 
-------------------------------- -- 
 
¶6. The Ambassador visited Mohammed Tulawie Central School, where 
 
MANILA 00002386  002 OF 002 
 
 
USAID has begun a branch of its Village Community Reading program. 
Village reading sessions are three days long and are conducted 
throughout the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao to promote 
children's interest in reading and to increase the participation of 
parents, the community, and the local government in education. The 
program enjoys overwhelming support in the communities. With the 
governor of Sulu province assisting, the Ambassador read to 
approximately 100 first graders and then donated books for the 
program to the principal of the school. 
 
¶7. The Ambassador also visited Notre Dame de Jolo College, to meet 
with scholarship recipients from Notre Dame de Jolo School for Boys 
and Notre Dame de Jolo School for Girls School. The students 
received English Access Microscholarships from the Embassy Cultural 
Affairs section, which allowed them to complete their last two years 
of high school at a local private school.  Three student leaders 
gave brief presentations on their hopes for the future.  The 
Ambassador related her experiences in reaching for her dreams and 
invited local government and military leaders to share their advice 
as well.  The library at Notre Dame de Jolo College is the site of 
the American Corner in Jolo. The Ambassador toured the Corner and 
thanked the officer in charge for his service in teaching the young 
people and community of Jolo about American culture. 
 
 
 
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COMMENT 
 
¶8.  The highly positive public reaction to the Ambassador's trip to 
Jolo underscored strong local support for joint U.S.-Philippine 
development and security initiatives in Sulu.  In both public and 
private messages, local government officials and military officers 
uniformly praised U.S. assistance efforts in the region. They 
strongly endorse continued cooperation on a range of issues from 
economic development to education to police and military 
cooperation. Despite law and order challenges and widespread 
poverty, it is impressive to see the beginning of the transformation 
underway in Sulu. The residents warmly welcomed the message of a 
continuing U.S.-Philippine partnership for economic growth in Muslim 
Mindanao and were adamant in reaffirming their commitment to a 
peaceful and prosperous Mindanao. 
 
KENNEY