VZCZCXYZ0028
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #2825 0121550
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 121536Z JAN 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA 0000
INFO RUETIAA/DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD 0000
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC 0000
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC 0000
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC 0000

UNCLAS STATE 002825 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
MANILA FOR GRAZNYA COFFIN 
MANILA FOR JUAN ADAMES 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETTC KOMC RP
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK 
ON LICENSE 050083978 
 
REF: EMAIL ARAMBULO-COFFIN OF 15 DECEMBER 2008 
 
¶1. (U) This is an Action Request. See paragraphs 2 - 4. 
 
¶2. (U) The Department's Office of Defense Trade Controls 
Compliance (PM/DTCC) requests Post's assistance in conducting 
a post-shipment check on license 050083978 for the export of 
firearms to the Philippines. Post is requested to complete 
this Blue Lantern check within 45 days. Lack of response to a 
Blue Lantern check will affect pending and future licenses 
involving parties to this license. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Reason for Request: Email from ICE liaison in Manila 
states that Crisostomo Aquino d/b/a Caliber Trading had 
diverted from the Philippines a significant quantity of 
Bushmaster Carbon Fiber carbines to unauthorized end-users in 
the region (REFTEL). Review of PM/DDTC license history 
suggests that this license represents the authorization under 
which Aquino may have exported Bushmaster carbines to the 
Philippines. Any subsequent re-export or retransfer is in 
violation of the International Traffic in Arms Regulation 
(ITAR).  This request is to determine if the firearms listed 
below have, in fact, been diverted. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Action Request: Post is requested to inquire with 
representatives of Caliber Trading and appropriate GOP 
officials to determine the final disposition of the firearms 
listed below. Post should also establish the bona fides of 
Caliber Trading as a reliable recipient of United States 
Munitions Listed items.  The following points are included 
for guidance: 
 
(To Caliber Trading) -- Have all of the firearms on this 
order been received by the PCG?  Have any been transferred 
elsewhere or sold to other end-users?  Is so, where? How long 
has your company been in the business of importing and 
selling defense articles in the Philippines? What services 
and products are sold by your company? Who are your regular 
customers and where do they reside? Are you familiar with the 
regulations governing the import of U.S.-origin defense 
articles, including restrictions on retransfer or re-export? 
 
(To Philippines Coast Guard Headquarters) -- Did the 
Philippines Coast Guard order the firearms listed below? If 
so, have you received the firearms and in what quantity? Can 
you provide the purchase order or contract through which this 
procurement was made?  Are all of the firearms currently 
being used by the PCG or have some been transferred 
elsewhere?  Has the Philippines Coast Guard previously had a 
business relationship with Caliber Trading? If so, have there 
been any irregularities in your transactions with that 
company? 
 
In its reply, Post may also comment on any other information 
pertinent to these transactions such as security of 
facilities and concerns about the entities involved. 
 
¶5. (U) Details of license application: 
 
DTC Case: 050083978 
 
QUANTITY/COMMODITY: 
 
130 Bushmaster C15 P21S 5.56mm Compact Carbines 
 
50 Bushmaster C15 C15 11.5" Entry Type Carbines 
 
1000 Bushmaster 30-Round Magazines 
 
License Value: USD $205,250 
 
SELLER: 
 
Bushmaster Firearms International 
999 Roosevelt Trail 
Windham, ME 04062 
 
FOREIGN CONSIGNEE 
 
Caliber Trading 
POC Marlon B. Aquino 
152 J. Arellano Street 
San Juan City 1500, Philippines 
Tel: (632) 722-4098/721-9293 
 
FOREIGN END-USER: 
 
Philippine Coast Guard Headquarters 
139 25th, Port Area 
Manila 1018, Philippines 
Tel:  63 0918 8555333 
 
PURPOSE: 
 
To be used by PCG Sea Marshal Unit and not to be re-exported 
out of the Philippines 
 
¶6. (U) Submitted in support of the license application were 
the following documents (PM/DTCC will fax documentation to 
Posts upon request): 
 
Import Authorization No PI-F165-07 dated 12/10/2007 signed by 
Avelino Trazon, Jr. 
 
DSP-83 signed by Marlon B. Aquino dated 07/27/2007, CAPT. 
Joel S. Garcia dated 07/27/2007, and Shannon Shuman dated 
01/09/2008 
 
End-Use Statement dated 07/23/2007 signed by CAPT. Joel S. 
Garcia 
 
End-Use Certificate issued by the Department of 
Transportation and Communication, Philippine Coast Guard 
signed by CAPT. Joel S. Garcia 
 
Purchase Order from Caliber Trading dated 12/13/2007 signed 
by Marlon B. Aquino 
 
¶7. (U) Please slug reply for PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN 
COORDINATOR and include the words "Blue Lantern" and the case 
number in the subject line. POC is Kyle M. Ballard, Phone: 
202-663-1929; Email: BallardKM@state.gov; SIPRNET: 
BallardKM@state.sgov.gov. The Blue Lantern Guidebook (ref) is 
available as a PDF file in the Bunche Library's E-Book 
Collection on the DOS Intranet: 
http://virtuallibrary.state.gov/ 
BlueLanternGuidebook2006%2520 final .pdf 
 
¶8. (U) Department is grateful for Post's assistance in this 
matter. 
RICE