US embassy cable - 05MANILA4225

UNCLAS MANILA 004225 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INR/EAP AND EAP/PMBS 
SECDEF/OSD/ISA/AP FOR ALLEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MASS, MOPS, MCAP, PTER, PINS, PREL, EAID, RP 
SUBJECT: ESG-1 INTERVENTION ON TAWI TAWI: A TEMPLATE FOR 
FUTURE CIVIC ACTION EFFORTS 
 
1.  (U) SUMMARY.  The August 9-10 intervention by 
Expeditionary Strike Group-1 (ESG-1) on Tawi Tawi represents 
the type of targeted, innovative civil affairs effort needed 
in the Philippines.  We urge US Pacific Command to make these 
operations a regular part of future ESG and other naval 
deployments to the region.  END SUMMARY. 
 
A VULNERABLE AREA AND TERRORIST HAVEN 
------------------------------------- 
 
2.  (U) The island of Tawi Tawi is the poorest province of 
Mindanao, the Philippines' poorest region.  It lies amid 
traditional main smuggling routes in and out of the country. 
Predominately Muslim, it has in recent years also become a 
transit point and haven for Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Abu 
Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists. 
 
3.  (U) A perception of governmental neglect reinforces 
disaffection and aids Islamist radicals who promise a better 
life in a transnational Muslim state.  Helping the GRP 
rebuild the ties with its populace is a critical nexus in 
combating the terrorist threat on the island and in 
disrupting JI and ASG infiltration routes. 
 
TARGETED CIVIC ACTION PROGRAMS 
------------------------------ 
 
4.  (U) The August 9-10 civil/military intervention on Tawi 
Tawi by ESG-1 consisted of focused medical, dental, and 
engineering civic action programs (MEDCAPs, DENCAPs, and 
ENCAPs) targeting the least served members of the community. 
For two days, medical and engineering personnel from the ESG 
and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit joined a team of medical 
personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippine's (AFP) 
Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), U.S. Joint Special Operations 
Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P), and several 
non-governmental organizations to treat almost 3000 patients. 
 ESG personnel helped build furniture for two schools, 
distributed more than 1000 text books, and identified 288 
patients for elective surgery (e.g., correcting cleft palates 
and crossed eyes) by Mabuhay Deseret, the largest surgical 
charity in the Philippines. 
 
5.  (U) ESG-1 also distributed several thousand public health 
brochures, Rewards for Justice handbills, and the US Embassy 
pamphlet "Muslim Life in the Philippines."   Outreach efforts 
included a live radio interview and visits of local media, 
educators, and civic leaders aboard ESG vessels. 
 
OVERWHELMINGLY POSITIVE RESPONSE 
-------------------------------- 
 
6.  (U) The local response was overwhelmingly positive.  US 
military personnel were warmly received, with young people 
proudly displaying their "Tawi Tawi MEDCAP" T-shirts.  During 
a recent USDAO visit to the island, a cross section of 
residents continued to rave about the ESG-1's impact. 
 
A TEMPLATE FOR FUTURE INTERVENTIONS 
----------------------------------- 
 
7.  (U) The success of this effort represents a template that 
should be duplicated.  These types of programs bolster the 
AFP's own ability to conduct civil/military operations 
successfully -- one of the objectives of the Philippine 
Defense Reform program -- as well as help to (re-)establish 
the links between the Philippine government and people.  A 
well planned series of civic action interventions that is 
appropriately coordinated with USAID efforts could reinforce 
the efforts of the JSOTF-P, and, over the longer term, 
directly and positively impact the counterterrorism fight in 
the Sulu Archipelago and southern Philippines.  We appreciate 
the efforts of ADM Lefever, the commander of ESG-1, and his 
sailors and Marines, and highly recommend US Pacific Command 
consider future efforts targeting this strategic, yet 
vulnerable area. 
 
Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm 
JOHNSON