US embassy cable - 05MANILA5373

UNCLAS MANILA 005373 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MTS, G/TIP, INL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PINS, PHUM, ASEC, KCRM, RP 
SUBJECT: TRAINING PHILIPPINE POLICE ON TIP 
 
REF: MANILA 3338 
 
1.  (U) Summary.  In a Mission-sponsored workshop on 
Trafficking in Persons (TIP), participants from the 
Philippine National Police's (PNP) Women and Children's 
Concern Division (WCCD) learned about the seriousness of the 
global issue as well as application of key Philippine TIP 
legislation.  Local media was extensive and largely 
favorable, despite a few skewed editorial comments linking 
TIP with an ongoing alleged rape case involving U.S. military 
personnel.  The seminar represented a "quick win" for the PNP 
in current reform efforts, in which Mission is playing a 
crucial, ongoing role.  End Summary. 
 
2.  (U) On November 7 and 8, 55 members of the PNP's WCCD 
successfully completed a Mission-sponsored TIP seminar.  The 
workshop, jointly organized by Mission's Political Section 
and USAID, was financed by USAID's "Rule of Law 
Effectiveness" (ROLE) project to provide training in both 
global TIP issues and in the specific application of Republic 
Act 9208, the Philippines' anti-trafficking statute. 
 
3.  (U) The workshop represented a "quick win" for the PNP in 
current reform efforts, in which Mission is playing a 
crucial, ongoing role.  In June and July, 2005, Mission 
hosted an INL-led assessment team that examined the PNP's 
strengths and weaknesses and recommended areas of reform. 
The team cited training gaps as a key area of focus, and 
singled out the WCCD as one of the "bright lights" of the PNP 
(reftel).  In August, the PNP unveiled its own 
detailed Transformation Plan, which drew heavily from the US 
assessment as well as from a separate UNDP assessment, also 
completed this year.  When the PNP Transformation Project 
called for early "quick win" projects to build momentum, 
Embassy immediately identified USAID's ROLE seminar as one 
such project. 
 
4.  (U) Reception of the seminar has been extremely positive. 
 Seminar participants were enthusiastic about the course 
materials and instruction, as well as the opportunity to 
participate with fellow WCCD officers from around the 
country.  Favorable press coverage of the event appeared in 
major media outlets throughout the week, including remarks by 
A/DCM at the closing ceremony.  A few skewed editorials 
nonetheless tried to imply that the US has double standards 
by attacking TIP in the Philippines in the wake of an ongoing 
alleged rape case involving U.S. Marines. 
 
5.  (U) Comment.  PNP's support for this workshop was a 
welcome indication of determination to do a better job 
against TIP and to assist TIP victims.  Embassy will seek 
additional training opportunities, such as a planned workshop 
for corrections officials, to develop a series of "quick 
wins" that will reinforce and build momentum the PNP's 
Transformation efforts. 
 
Jones