VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #4569 3292209
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 242203Z NOV 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA PRIORITY 8763
INFO RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/NO JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS STATE 124569
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PINR PREL PTER KCRM SNAR MARR RP
SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT CLEARANCE FOR PHILIPPINES LEAHY VETTING REQUEST -
JIATF-WEST LEATHER PISTON 09-1
REF: MANILA 2548
1. (SBU) The Department of State reviewed its files and found that,
as of this date, it possesses no credible information of gross
violations of human rights for the units and commanders identified
below. These units and commanders are candidates for participation
in the JIATF-West Leather Piston 09-1 program that starts January 19,
2009 and ends February 27, 2009 in La Union, Philippines.
2. (U) Units and Commanders:
Unit: 1st Regional Maritime Office, Philippine National
Police (PNP) Maritime Group
Commander: PSSUPT Samuel Sylim, DOB: March 20, 1961
POB: Philippines
Unit: Naval Special Operations Unit 2
Commander: CDR Carlos Y. Garcia, DOB: October 22, 1965
POB: Tarlac, Philippines
Unit: Philippine Coast Guard Group, Northern Luzon
Commander: CAPT Athelo L. Ybanez, DOB: March 29, 1963
POB: Cebu, Philippines
Unit: PNP, Region 1
Commander: PCSUPT Luizo C. Ticman, DOB: October 10, 1951
POB: Manila, Philippines
Unit: Bureau of Customs, Region 1 Anti-Terrorism Task Force
Commander: LTCOL Angelito Santiago, DOB: June 6, 1948
POB: Manila, Philippines
Unit: National Bureau of Investigation Anti-Illegal Task
Force
Commander: Roel S. Bolivar, DOB: May 4, 1962
POB: Palawan, Philippines
Unit: Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Region 1
Commander: PSUPT Robert Opena, DOB: June 25, 1957
POB: Bataan, Philippines
3. (U) Post may provide the following statement to authorized
parties: Embassy verifies that the Department of State possesses no
credible information of gross violations of human rights by the units
and commanders identified in paragraph 2 above, as of this date.
Post may cite this cable in response.
4. (U) If, in the future, post becomes aware of possible human rights
violations by the units and commanders listed above, post should
inform the Department and not proceed with training.
5. (U) POC for this action is Jameson DeBose:
-Email: DeBoseJL@state.gov
-Phone: 202-647-2989
RICE