US embassy cable - 05MANILA1199

UNCLAS MANILA 001199 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR S/CT, INL/AAE, EAP/PMBS, INR/EAP 
SEOUL FOR ERIC JOHN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER, CASC, KCRM, PREL, RP 
SUBJECT: PNP STORMS PRISON ENDING ASG TAKEOVER 
 
REF: MANILA 1183 
 
Summary 
-------- 
 
1.  (SBU) Philippine National Police (PNP) anti-terrorist and 
SWAT forces stormed the Metro Manila District Jail at 9:15 
a.m. (local time) on March 15 after a negotiated agreement 
with Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) inmates broke down late the 
previous evening.  PNP National Capital Region Director 
Avelino Razon confirms a total of 21 inmates died during the 
assault including notorious ASG leaders, Commanders Kosovo, 
Robot, and Global.  Six PNP members were wounded in the 
two-hour fight.  As of 11:00 a.m., major assault operations 
ended with the prisoners cordoned off on the prison rooftop 
for processing back into custody.  End Summary. 
 
Negotiations Break Down Over Details Of Deal 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
2.  (SBU) Although GRP representatives and ASG prisoners had 
signed a preliminary agreement on March 14 to end the 
standoff at the Manila District Prison (ref A), the deal 
broke down when the inmates said they wanted to eat first. 
"We are demanding that they buy us food," detainee spokesman 
Hazdi Daie (alias Ka Lando) told the Associated Press by 
telephone.  Razon countered with a statement to the press: 
"If they will surrender, lay down their arms and come out, 
they will get food." 
 
3.  (SBU) According to PNP officials, the ASG prisoners 
continued to change their demands after this first snag in 
the agreement.  Although negotiations continued through the 
night, PNP Public Information Officer Leopoldo Bataoil told 
poloff Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor 
Parouk Hussin recommended to the crisis management group 
headed by Secretary Angelo Reyes of the Department of 
Interior and Local Government (DILG) that negotiations should 
only continue until March 15.  ASG insistence on airing their 
grievances in a primetime broadcast and other last minute 
changes to the signed agreement appeared to stretch the 
patience of security officials on the scene.  Prior to the 
assault, police sources told poloff they were worried the 
inmates were stalling for time and might further arm 
themselves by breaking into the prison's armory. 
 
Ultimatum And Assault End With 21 Dead Inmates 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
3.  (SBU) At 9:00 a.m. on March 15 DILG Secretary Reyes 
issued an ultimatum for the inmates to surrender in 15 
minutes.  The standoff was broadcast live on local 
television.  At 9:15 a.m. several light armored vehicles and 
SWAT formations, using water cannons, assault rifles, and 
"flash-bang" and tear gas grenades, stormed the four-story 
prison building controlled by the ASG terrorists. 
 
4.  (SBU) As of 11:00 a.m. assault teams had complete control 
of the situation, and had cordoned off the estimated 470 
inmates on the building's rooftop.  Police led manageable 
groups of inmates under armed guard for "processing" (i.e., 
strip searches and head counts) back into prison custody. 
Canine units assisted in room clearing operations.  Razon 
confirmed to the media that as many as 21 inmates had been 
killed in the assault, including the ASG's Commanders Kosovo, 
Robot, and Global.  Police recovered eight firearms from the 
prisoners.  As many as six PNP officers were wounded, 
sustaining minor injuries.  Reyes stressed separately to the 
media that any further attempts to subvert prison security 
would be met with similar harsh measures.  He noted an 
investigation is planned to examine the wider circumstances 
of the prison standoff. 
 
5.  (SBU) Comment:  While the operation to retake the prison 
went fairly smoothly and quickly, the fact that inmates were 
able to take over underscores the serious failures of the 
Philippine prison system.  Our GRP sources have confirmed 
media reports that Bureau of Jail Management and Penology 
(BJMP) officials received intelligence reports of a possible 
uprising at least three weeks ago.  The crisis represents an 
opportunity for the government to institute badly needed 
reforms.  Whether it will do so, however, remains an open 
question.  End Comment. 
Ricciardone