VZCZCXYZ0009
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHML #2529/01 3120801
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 070801Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2362
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 4988
RUEHVN/AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE 4489

UNCLAS MANILA 002529 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EAP AND H 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN RP HG LA
SUBJECT: STAFFDEL Branegan - Visit to the Philippines (Nov 10-14, 
2008) 
 
REF: STATE 117498 
 
¶1.  Embassy Manila welcomes Mr. James Branegan, professional staff 
member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Control 
officers for his visit will be Econ Officer, David Rovinsky, who can 
be contacted at: office (63 2) 301 2332, cell no. (63 917) 867 3521, 
home (63 2) 815 3862, e-mail: RovinskyDJ@state.gov, and Grazyna 
Coffin office (63 2) 301 2552, cell (63 917) 867 3529, home 833 
2995, e-mail:coffingx@state.gov. Mr. Rovinsky will meet Mr. Branegan 
at the airport and provide him with the per diem for lodging and 
M&IE. 
 
¶2.  Hotel accommodations are confirmed at Makati Shangri-La Manila 
hotel, Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati City, tel (63 2) 
813 8888 fax (63 2) 814 5499. Hotel daily rate is approximately USD 
160, including taxes, service fee and breakfast. 
 
¶3.  Scheduled agenda, times local (Washington plus 13 hours): 
 
November 10 
22:15  Arrive Manila, flight JL74. Meet and greet by         David 
Rovinsky, Economic Officer 
November 11 
 
8:00-9:00 Breakfast with Amb. Curtis S. Chin (ADB) 
9:00-13:00 Meeting with Director General, Dr. Robert Zeigler and 
staff, International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos 
13:15-15:30 Meeting with the Chancellor, Dr. Cesar B. Quicoy, 
University of the Philippines, Los Banos 
 
November 12 
 
8:15-9:30 Call on Ambassador Kenney, followed by Country Team 
Briefing (Embassy) 
9:30-11:00 Round Table Meeting (Embassy officers & Staff) USAID, 
FAS, Econ 
11:00-13:00 Travel and lunch 
13:00-14:00 Meeting with Christopher Wensley, Agriculture, 
Environment and Natural Resources Div, ADB 
14:00-15:00 Travel 
15:00-16:00 Meeting with Isagani R. Serrano, Vice President 
Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement 
 
November 13 
 
8:30-10:00 Meeting with Usec Segfredo Serrano, Department of 
Agriculture, Policy and Planning 
10:00-11:00 Travel 
11:00-12:00 Meeting with Ramon Clarete, University of the 
Philippines, School of Economics, and Abraham Manalo, Biotech 
Coalition of the Philippines 
12:00-13:00 Lunch and travel 
13:00-14:00 Meeting with Stephen L. Anderson, Country Director, 
World Food Program 
14:00-15:00 Travel 
15:00-16:00 Meeting with Margarita R. Songco, Deputy Director, 
National Economic & Development Authority 
 
November 14 
 
8:00-9:00 Meeting with Arcadio Cruz, Assistant FAO Representative, 
Food & Agriculture Organization 
10:00-11:00 Meeting with Leonardo Montemayor, Federation of Free 
Farmers, (former DA Secretary) 
11:30  Proceed to the airport for 14:50 flight 
 
 
¶4. 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 on-going War 
Against Terrorism, the potential for retaliatory acts against 
Americans worldwide is real. 
 
¶5. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 
 
¶10. We look forward to your visit. 
 
Kenney