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OO RUEHDT RUEHPB
DE RUEHML #0506/01 0690005
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 100005Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3440
INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 000506 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL KPAO RP
SUBJECT:  AMABASSADOR STRENGTHENS HISTORIC U.S. TIES TO BAGUIO CITY 
 
¶1.  Summary.  During a February 28 to March 1 visit to Baguio City, 
the Ambassador emphasized the importance of the historical links 
between the region and the United States and showcased the 
continuing important partnership between the United States and the 
Philippines.  She visited the Philippine Military Academy and met 
with the regional and Baguio police chiefs to strengthen 
relationships and underscore the vital role security services play 
in upholding human rights.  She attended the Panagbenga festival 
with local and regional officials where she showed support for two 
USAID sponsored environmental groups performing in the parade.  The 
Ambassador also visited with officials at a regional university with 
links to the United States where she also met a U.S. Peace Corps 
Volunteer teaching in the humanities department and coaching the 
regional champion elementary school soccer team.  End summary. 
 
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BAGUIO: HISTORIC LINKAGES WITH THE UNITED STATES 
------------------- 
 
¶2.  Baguio City was established by Americans in 1900 at the site of 
an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway.  It was designated by the 
Philippine Commission as the Summer Capital of the Philippines on 
June 1, 1903 and incorporated as a city by the Philippine Assembly 
on September 1, 1909. There is a presidential mansion, as well as 
Supreme Court and legislative offices in Baguio. Baguio is the seat 
of government of the Cordillera Administrative Region.  The United 
States contributes to the prosperity of Baguio by assigning U.S. 
Peace Corps Volunteers in the areas of education, youth development 
and environmental education.  Books and materials are provided to an 
American Shelf at the Baguio City Public Library, the Philippine 
Military Academy and an American Studies Resource Center (ASRC) at 
St. Louis University.  USAID supports several local environmental 
and health initiatives.  The United States also continues to assist 
American companies in the Baguio area. 
 
 
 
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VISIT TO MILITARY ACADEMY STRENGTHENS TIES 
----------- 
¶3.   The Ambassador was greeted with full honors at the Philippine 
Military Academy where she had an office call with the 
Superintendent, Vice Admiral Leonardo C. Calderon, JR.  Vice Admiral 
Calderon said that the academy was having trouble filling its 
recruitment quotas due in large part to competition from the 
merchant marines, which offers significant opportunities for 
Philippine seafarers.  He mentioned a popular new reality show on 
Philippine television about two young Philippine Military Academy 
recruits as a possible answer to part of the problem by piquing 
interest in the Philippine Armed Forces. The Ambassador praised the 
cooperation between the Philippine Armed Forced and the Philippine 
National Police.  Vice Admiral Calderon requested U.S. military 
field manuals be made available at the Academy's American Shelf. 
The Ambassador then addressed the entire cadet corps, stressing the 
importance of human rights and elections to healthy democracy. 
 
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HISTORIC FESTIVAL EVENT SHOWCASES U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS 
--------- 
 
¶4.  The Ambassador attended the street dance parade with Congressman 
Mauricio Domogan and Baguio Mayor Reinaldo Bautista.  Baguio's 
annual Panagbenga, a street dance competition inspired by the 
Bendian, an Ibaloi dance of celebration that originated in the 
Cordillera region, is presented by dancers clad in flower-inspired 
costumes.  The event took on special significance this year as 
Baguio celebrates its centennial.  USAID's Sustainable Energy 
Development Program and Energy and Clean Air Project participated in 
the competition to showcase the youth's concern for energy 
conservation and environmental protection.  In addition to 
supporting U.S. environmental objectives in the region, the 
Ambassador's involvement in the Panagbenga celebration allowed her 
to reinforce the historical relationship between the United States 
and the Baguio region. 
 
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DISCUSSION WITH  POLICE CHIEFS HIGHLIGHTS SECURITY CONCERNS 
--------- 
¶5.  The Ambassador met with the Benguet regional police chief and 
the Baguio City police chief at the Baguio residence.  She raised 
the issue of possible election violence during the 2010 presidential 
elections, stressing the importance of effective investigations of 
extra-judicial murders.  Both the regional and Baguio City police 
chiefs said that they are aware of problems in the region with 
trafficking in persons and the production of marijuana.  The 
Ambassador praised the regional and Baguio City police for providing 
effective protection for U.S. businesses, U.S. Peace Corps 
volunteers and tourists in the area.  The chiefs thanked the 
Ambassador for U.S. funding and support for the model police station 
in Baguio City. 
 
 
 
MANILA 00000506  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES 
-------- 
 
¶6.  The Ambassador was able to address both national and local media 
at the Panagbenga festival.  She emphasized the close historical 
relationship between the United States and Baguio City and 
highlighted the USAID supported environmental projects taking place 
in the region.  During a taped regional television interview, the 
Ambassador spoke to the people of Baguio about her visit to the 
Flower Festival and the special relationship the United States has 
with the city.  The Ambassador reached a national audience with a 
live radio interview at Benguet State University.  She focused 
comments on the historical and ongoing relationship between the 
United States and the Benguet region. 
 
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U.S. TIES WITH BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY STRENGTHENED 
--------- 
 
¶7.  The Ambassador met with the university president and other 
school officials during her visit to Benguet State University.  The 
university was founded in 1918 by Americans and has grown into an 
important regional school.  During her visit, she said that the 
relationship between the university and the United States has 
continued to be strong.  The Ambassador also met with a U.S. Peace 
Corps volunteer who teaches in the humanities department.  The 
volunteer recently coached a team of elementary school soccer player 
to the regional championship.  The Ambassador interacted with the 
children and university officials during the team's practice 
session. 
 
KENNEY