VZCZCXRO4058
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #1650/01 2161016
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 041016Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4813
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI  IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 001650 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO PEACE CORPS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL KPAO EAID RP
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR SHOWCASES U.S. ROLE IN CREATING A PEACEFUL, 
VIBRANT MINDANAO 
 
REF: 08 Manila 1790 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY.  The Ambassador traveled July 17-18 to Davao City on 
the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, underscoring the 
continuing U.S. commitment to the economic and social development of 
the region.  The trip included the Ambassador's keynote address at a 
conference for graduates of USAID's Congressional Internship Program 
for Young Muslim Leaders (CIPYML) and a discussion on the importance 
of human rights with leaders of the Eastern Mindanao Command 
(EASTMINCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).  The 
Ambassador also visited a rapidly expanding U.S. business and spoke 
with local media.  END SUMMARY. 
 
Background:  Davao City 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U) Davao City is located in the southeastern part of Mindanao. 
As one of the largest cities in Asia by land area, it covers 
2,433.61 km2 and is home to over one million people.  Known as the 
"fruit basket of the Philippines," Davao City's busy international 
port exports tropical fruits such as pomelo, mangosteen, coconut, 
papaya, pineapple and durian.  Its bananas have made the Philippines 
one of the world's top three banana exporters, with half of the 
industry production stemming from U.S. companies.  Banana and 
pineapple growers Dole/Stanfilco and Marsman-Drysdale employ over 
36,000 direct and contract hires in Mindanao. 
 
USAID's Congressional Internship Program for Young Muslim Leaders 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶3.  (U) The Congressional Internship Program for Young Muslim Youths 
(CIPYML) is a joint cooperative program between USAID and the 
Philippine House of Representatives designed to bring young Muslims 
from Mindanao to serve as interns in the Philippine Congress.  From 
this experience, they derive leadership and communication skills, as 
well as a firm understanding of the mechanics of government.  The 
Ambassador served as keynote speaker and guest of honor at the first 
reunion of CIPYML graduates, reminding the graduates of the great 
human and economic potential of Mindanao, and congratulating the 
young Muslim leaders for striving to bring positive change to their 
communities.  The Ambassador highlighted President Obama's recent 
remarks in Ghana, which were echoed in a speech by one CIPYML 
alumnus chosen to speak for the group.  This alumnus, who now works 
for USAID's Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, challenged 
his fellow alumni to take up the banner of change in their 
communities, and to use their newly acquired skills and confidence 
to become "agents of peace and development."  The alumnus closed 
with a quote from the Ghana speech that had inspired him, saying 
"Change in Mindanao will come from partnerships grounded in 
individual and mutual responsibility." 
 
Visit to Eastern Mindanao Command 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The Ambassador met with Major General Raymundo Ferrer, 
Commander, Eastern Mindanao Command. EASTMINCOM covers a wide swath 
of Mindanao, including areas of Central Mindanao which is the 
homeland of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and which also 
harbor elements of the Communist New People's Army (NPA).  He shared 
his concerns about the ability of the AFP to eliminate the NPA in 
his area of responsibility by December 2009.  The NPA is a long 
running communist insurgency.  MGEN Ferrer acknowledged that there 
was no viable way to accomplish this task without addressing the 
issue of poverty first. He stressed the need for development in the 
area and the need to bring in more jobs.  The general linked the 
idea of development with the resumption of peace talks with the 
MILF.  According to the general, neither side is winning in the 
current situation.  The Ambassador also stressed the importance of 
human rights and the peace process in a meeting with local military 
and police commanders. 
 
USAID Event Emphasizes Projects in Davao City 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (U) The Ambassador visited the headquarters of USAID's Growth 
with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, which is located in Davao, 
and commended the group for their accomplishments in promoting good 
governance, education, and local government infrastructure programs. 
 She praised them for being agents of change and peace throughout 
Mindanao. 
 
Sutherland Global Service, Expanding U.S. Business 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶6.  The Ambassador's visit to Sutherland Global Services facility in 
Davao City highlighted the positive economic and social impact 
Sutherland and other U.S. businesses are making in the Southern 
 
MANILA 00001650  002 OF 002 
 
 
Philippines.  Sutherland is a recognized leader and innovator in 
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).  The company has effectively 
developed new markets outside of the Metro Manila area, bringing 
jobs and investment to regions of the Philippines other firms 
traditionally overlooked.  Davao City and greater Mindanao had only 
marginally benefited from the BPO boom until Sutherland started its 
operation in 2008. The Ambassador toured the facility that currently 
employs 1,500 Filipinos in well-paying and upwardly-mobile jobs. 
These jobs not only consist of basic customer service and support 
representatives but also include content and process experts.  The 
Ambassador spoke with a small group of employees and stressed how 
important their jobs were not only to the local economy but also to 
strengthening U.S. businesses in the current economic crisis. 
Sutherland officials said they were pleased with the quality and 
commitment of the local workforce and plan to hire 3,500 additional 
workers over the next few years. 
 
 
(Old and New) Media Outreach 
---------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (U) In a number of regional television, radio, and print 
interviews conducted during the trip, the Ambassador underscored the 
continuing U.S. commitment to fostering peace and economic 
development in Mindanao.  She pointed out the spectrum of 
U.S.-supported programs that go unnoticed by the media but are 
essential to creating stability and prosperity in the area.  The 
Ambassador also met with members of the vibrant Mindanao Bloggers 
Community at the American Corner in Ateneo de Davao University to 
discuss their roles in representing the young voices of Mindanao. 
The group's founder organized the group of young bloggers, both 
Muslim and Christian, from throughout Mindanao to express a true 
picture of his homeland's beauty and diversity.  The bloggers work 
to dispel the notion that Mindanao is only an impoverished and 
conflict-ridden area; blog topics range from regional cuisine, to 
employment advice, and to the latest in consumer technology.  The 
Ambassador commended the group for their organization and for 
portraying a more well-rounded Mindanao. 
 
KENNEY