US embassy cable - 05MANILA2888

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002888 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/PMBS, EAP/IET, INR/EAP, S/CT 
NSC FOR GREEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2015 
TAGS: PTER, PREL, PINS, ID, RP 
SUBJECT: PGMA AND INDONESIA'S YUDHOYONO REAFFIRM 
COUNTERTERROR COOPERATION 
 
REF: A. MANILA 2108 
 
     B. MANILA 2105 
 
Classified By: Political Officer Joseph Saus 
for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary.  President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA) 
and her Indonesian counterpart President Susilo Bambang 
Yudhoyono (SBY) discussed bolstering counterterrorism 
cooperation, law enforcement, and border control -- issues 
already covered under a 2001 information exchange agreement 
-- during SBY's June 21-23 visit to Manila.  Energy 
cooperation and cultural exchanges rounded out the 
discussions.  The GRP-GOI commitment to tighter immigration 
control of undocumented Indonesian nationals in the southern 
Philippines is a positive step -- especially against 
Indonesian Jemaah Islamiyah members -- although the extremely 
porous border and the archipelagic nature of the area make 
immigration enforcement an unrelenting challenge.  End 
Summary. 
 
Counterterror Cooperation 
------------------------- 
 
2.  (SBU) Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) 
made an official visit to the Philippines on June 21-23. 
According to a Joint Press Statement disseminated through the 
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the two Presidents 
focused on transnational issues such as counterterrorism, 
immigration control, and law enforcement cooperation.  In 
promoting their common security, the two leaders emphasized 
the importance of strengthening counterterrorism cooperation 
through information exchanges and enhanced coordination and 
cooperation between regional police commands along the border 
of the two countries.  The two leaders agreed to work more 
closely to ensure maritime security in border areas. 
 
3.  (C) DFA Division Director for Southeast Asia, Domingo 
Nalasco, noted the visit was successful from both sides and 
served to renew longstanding commitments and cooperation.  He 
said a GRP-GOI working-level meeting might occur in October 
to explore "more concrete measures" regarding immigration and 
border controls. 
 
Law Enforcement And Immigration Control 
--------------------------------------- 
 
4.  (SBU) Indonesian National Police Chief, General Dai 
Bachtiar, met separately with his counterpart, Philippine 
National Police (PNP) Chief General Arturo Lomibao, at PNP 
Headquarters on June 21.  The two chiefs discussed mechanisms 
for coordination and established working groups to ensure 
regular exchanges of information on fugitives; coordination 
in the arrest and interrogation of suspected criminals and 
terrorists; exchange visits by law enforcers; and sharing of 
technical and operation expertise. 
 
5.  (SBU) According to the DFA Press Release, PGMA and SBY 
pledged to coordinate closely regarding undocumented 
Indonesians in Mindanao, and discussed three possible 
options: repatriation; legalization of their stay in the 
Philippines; and integration into local society.  SBY 
expressed appreciation for the easing of the Philippine 
administrative rules on the issuance of alien certificates of 
registration (ACRs) to native-born Indonesian nationals. 
 
OIC and Energy Roundout Discussions 
----------------------------------- 
 
6.  (SBU) Other issues discussed include SBY's support for 
GRP observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference 
(OIC) and Indonesian support for ongoing peace efforts in 
Mindanao.  The two presidents also discussed enhanced energy 
cooperation between their countries.  PGMA suggested GOI and 
GRP energy officials soon meet to discuss the GRP's interest 
in importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Indonesia's 
Tangguh project. 
 
7.  (C) Comment:  GRP-GOI counterterrorism cooperation was 
already established under a 2001 information sharing 
agreement.  We are encouraged at the move to broaden GRP-GOI 
law enforcement against suspected terrorists, given the 
presence in Mindanao of Indonesian nationals who are members 
of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist organization.  The 
tenor of discussions during the visit suggest any possible 
capture of JI suspects involved with the Bali bombing 
(Dulmatin and Patek, see refs A,B) could result in their 
repatriation to face justice in Indonesia.  Such commitments, 
however, would constitute a departure from the past as 
several Indonesian JI suspects, including financier Taufik 
Refke, remain in Philippine detention.  End Comment. 
BELLARD