Philippines Asks for Help on Extrajudicial Killings

Reference ID: 07MANILA645 l Created: 2007-02-27 08:41 l Released: 2011-04-24 00:00

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY l Origin: Embassy Manila

VZCZCXRO8526

OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM

DE RUEHML #0645 0580841

ZNR UUUUU ZZH

O 270841Z FEB 07

FM AMEMBASSY MANILA

TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5442

INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE

RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN IMMEDIATE 0391

RUEHHE/AMEMBASSY HELSINKI IMMEDIATE 0409

RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 3438

RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID IMMEDIATE 0484

RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO IMMEDIATE 0229

RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME IMMEDIATE 0279

RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM IMMEDIATE 0125

RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE IMMEDIATE 0702

RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE

RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 000645

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: PREL PHUM EAID RP GM FI UK SP IT NO SW NL

SUBJECT: PHILIPPINES ASKS FOR HELP ON EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS

REF: A. MANILA 609 (NOTAL)

     ¶B. MANILA 573 (NOTAL)

     ¶C. MANILA 468 (NOTAL)

¶1.  (SBU)  The Department of Foreign Affairs has shared with

Embassy copies of letters dated January 31 to the resident

Ambassadors of Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain,

Sweden, and the Netherlands, requesting technical assistance

as the Philippine government investigates and tries to

resolve extrajudicial and other "unexplained" killings,

following recommendations from the Presidentially-appointed

Melo Commission (refs).  (Full text of identical letters in

para 2.)  Separately, Norway, which has been unsuccessfully

trying to facilitate peace talks between the Philippine

government and the Communist Party of the Philippines and the

National Democratic Front, privately expressed interest to

Pol/C in exploring additional assistance, perhaps financial

support to the Philippine Department of Justice's expanded

witness protection program.  Embassy will continue to consult

with counterparts in Manila about possible new assistance

from these and other countries, as well as to explain ongoing

USG efforts, including expanded aid to the Philippine

Commission on Human Rights and strategic reform programs for

the military, police, and judiciary.

¶2.  (U)  Text of request letters

quote

31 January 2007

Excellency,

In an effort to address the concerns of the international

community on the so-called unexplained killings in the

Philippines, I have the honor to inform you that the

Government of the Republic of the Philippines would welcome

any technical assistance that could be extended by the (name

of country), to facilitate and expedite the work of the Melo

Commission.

I wish also to inform Your Excellency that we have conveyed

to other EU member-states that we welcome similar assistance,

as previously offered during the 28 November 2006 briefing on

the matter.  It is hoped that, with the various experiences

and expertise each government has on such issues, all cases

will be resolved soon with due diligence.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest

consideration.

/s/ Albert G. Romulo

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs

end quote

Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website:

http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm

You can also access this site through the State Department's

Classified SIPRNET website:

http:// www.state.sgov.gov/

KENNEY