Yearender: DFA; RP in center of world stage in 2005
January 3, 2006 | 12:00am
In the arena of international diplomacy, the Philippines defined its identity in the global village in 2005, when it formally assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in September.
This week, Manila ends its term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. The Philippines called on the UNSC to assess itself and improve its structures and practices.
President Arroyo participated in the World Leaders Summit at the 60th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and presided over the UNSC in New York City.
Mrs. Arroyo made history as the first woman and first Asian head of state to preside over the UNSC, where she oversaw the adoption of two important resolutions: The Conflict Resolution and Resolution Against Inciting to Terrorism.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo presided over a thematic debate in the UNSC on "The Role of Civil Society in Conflict Prevention and the Pacific Settlement of Dispute."
Ambassador Lauro Baja Jr., Philippine permanent representative to the UN, said the Philippines established its identity and has earned the respect of members of the world body during its very eventful two-year membership in the UNSC.
Last year, the Philippines cited the need for the UN to be more involved in addressing the pressing issues of energy security and debt.
Mrs. Arroyo also urged all member states to act decisively on the problems of terrorism, energy crisis and debt burden in order to achieve the UN’s objectives.
The Philippine consulate in New York said the Philippines built on a successful presidency when it led the UNSC in the unanimous adoption of Resolution 1546 endorsing the then-interim government of Iraq and its assumption of full sovereignty over the country.
The Philippines voted in favor of the Resolution against terrorism in Iraq and condemned the "horrific" terrorist attacks on civilians and foreign diplomats.
Manila called on the UN’s member states to cooperate in stanching the flow of terrorists in and out of Iraq and preventing disruption of the political process there.
Baja said the Philippines voted for Resolution 1618 of 2005, which condemns — without reservation and in the strongest terms — terrorist attacks in Iraq and other acts that pose a threat to global peace and security.
As UNSC president, the Philippines voted last month for the resolution seeking justice for the May 14 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Harriri and urged Syria to comply fully with the mandates of the resolution.
Manila joined the 14 other members of the UNSC to vote unanimously for Resolution 1636 sponsored by the United States, United Kingdom and France, which labels political assassination as an act of terrorism.
The Philippines will take over the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year after junta-ruled Myanmar announced its decision to give up the chairmanship in Vientiane, Laos in June 2005.
Myanmar said during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in Vientiane that 2006 is a critical year for them and Yangon wants to devote its full attention to the democratization process, thus it declined the chairmanship of the ASEAN.
Myanmar has been under international pressure to shift from a military junta to a full democracy and for the release from house arrest of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Philippines also reiterated its position that Myanmar should implement democratic reforms.
Singapore stood by its statement that former election official Virgilio Garcillano entered the city-state on July 14, 2005, despite Garcillano’s denial during the investigation of the House of Representatives that he did not leave the Philippines since the "Hello, Garci" scandal broke out.
Singapore’s Foreign Ministry transmitted a note verbale to the Philippine Embassy in Singapore indicating that Garcillano had been there.
However, while the House ordered Garcillano’s arrest, Romulo said the DFA cannot cancel Garcillano’s passport without a court order.
As in Garcillano’s case, the DFA said it could not cancel the passport of former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante without a court order or conviction by the court for a criminal offense.
Bolante was named in the fertilizer fund scam under investigation by the Senate agriculture committee.
Officials of the US Embassy in Manila were summoned twice by the DFA, in June and October 2005, and handed notes verbale containing the government’s protest over statements made by former US Embassy charge d’affaires Joseph Mussomeli labeling the country as the next Afghanistan and the US government’s alleged spying on the Philippine government.
The DFA transmitted a third diplomatic note to the US Embassy last month demanding custody of the US Marines accused of raping a 22- year-old Filipina in Olongapo City on Nov. 1, 2005.
Mussomeli, now ambassador to Cambodia, was summoned by the DFA and handed the note verbale containing the Philippine government’s protest over his statement in an interview on Australian television where he warned that Mindanao could be the next Afghanistan because of rampant poverty, lack of education and reports that foreign terrorists are roaming around in some areas in the Mindanao.
At the height of the country’s political crisis in July 2005, Mussomeli’s successor at the US embassy in Manila, Paul Jones, was also handed a note verbale containing the government’s protest against the alleged spying activities of Washington on Philippine officials.
Romulo flew to Washington in October 2005 to brief US Director for National Intelligence John Negroponte on the current political situation in the Philippines in the wake of reports on the US government’s spying activities on Philippine officials and documents on destabilization moves against the government were leaked to the press.
The DFA said Negroponte "expressed support for the democratic leadership of President Arroyo."
A senior Filipino diplomat in the US said that lodging a diplomatic protest against the US government for allegedly keeping close tabs on developments in the Philippines political and military affairs is not necessary since this is "normal" even among allies.
Former Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy director Michael Ray Aquino was indicted in October 2005 for conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a US official. Despite this, the government said RP-US relations remain "steadfast," "strong," and "mutually beneficial."
Aquino was linked to a former US Marine and White House employee Leandro Aragoncillo in the alleged spying activities.
The DFA, which chairs the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFACom), maintained that a review of the treaty between the Philippines and the US is not necessary despite calls to revise the treaty because of the gray areas in the agreement — particularly the custody and place of custody of any accused in criminal cases.
Undersecretary Zosimo Paredes, executive director of the VFACom, said the commission will formally recommend a review or amendment on custody of US military personnel charged in Philippine courts and other provisions seen as gray areas in the VFA.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s visit to the Philippines this year did not push through because of conflicts in his schedule.
Romulo said in May 2005 that, during his official visit to UN Headquarters in New York City, he spoke to Annan who accepted Mrs. Arroyo’s invitation to visit Manila.
Annan expressed support for the Philippines’ efforts for peace, financial stability and security — particularly the efforts to achieve peace in Mindanao and for regional cooperation during a meeting with Romulo on May 12, 2005.
South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun arrived in Manila on Dec. 14, 2005 for a three-day state visit to strengthen economic and political ties between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, as well as to reciprocate Mrs. Arroyo’s state visit to Seoul in June 2003.
On Dec. 6, 2005, Negroponte arrived in Manila to meet with his Philippine counterpart and other intelligence officials to discuss and further strengthen intelligence and counter-terrorism measures.
United States Assistance for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator James Kunder visited the country last month.
Kunder said the Philippines needs to restore the position it once held in Asia by addressing the long-term development problems.
During his visit, Kunder spent time in Mindanao particularly Davao City, Cotabato and Tawi-Tawi because a large share of the US foreign assistance program focuses on Mindanao.
US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Eric John also visited the country last month to meet with Mrs. Arroyo and Romulo, who assured him of the passage into law of the Philippines’ anti-terrorism bill before yearend.
The Prime Minister of Poland, Marek Belka, arrived in the Philippines on July 6, 2005 for a two-day official visit, the first visit made by a Polish head of state to the Philippines.
Belka’s visit was timely, as Poland has just become a member of the European Union (EU) and is growing into one of the biggest economies in Europe.
The Philippines received assurances of support from The Gambia for its application for observer status in the influential Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) during the visit of Gambian President Yahya A.J.J. on June 20, 2005, the first by an African head of state during the Arroyo administration.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono arrived in Manila for a three-day state visit in June, while in April, it was Chinese President Hu Jintao’s turn to visit Manila.
A phoned-in bomb threat forced the US Embassy in Manila to temporarily shut down public services and beef up security surrounding the embassy premises on Dec. 6.
Because of the "plausible" threat, US embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop said the temporary closure of public services would last until the threat subsided.
Public services temporarily made unavailable included visa and consulate services, social security administration, and veterans’ affairs.
Reports quoted Manila police sources as saying a certain "Evita" called up the US embassy and threatened to bomb it, prompting the embassy to request police assistance. The embassy re-opened after two days.
The embassies of Switzerland and Singapore also received bomb threats.
On June 14, 2005, the Philippine embassy in Washington D.C. was silent for almost a month on the alleged "capricious" lifestyle of Philippine Consul General to New York Cecil Rebong before it issued a statement to defend Rebong.
In defending Rebong’s $10,000 monthly rental for her apartment, Philippine Ambassador to the US Albert del Rosario said Rebong’s official residence at the Trump Tower in New York City, is "an attractive, accessible and cost-effective venue for promotional campaign since it is also in keeping with the rental criteria set by the DFA."
Del Rosario said Rebong needs every available means to market and build confidence in the Philippines as a solid trade partner, a promising investment destination and an inviting tourism site.
Philippine Ambassador to Italy Philippe Lhuiller is also renting a luxurious house in the upscale district of Rome that costs between $10,000 and $12,000 a month.
Rebong, former Malacañang Chief of Protocol, obtained the authority to reside at the Trump Plaza from former DFA secretary Delia Albert.
The Philippine Crisis Team in Iraq successfully worked for the safe release of Filipino accountant Robert Tarongoy in June 2005 after he endured over seven months in captivity.
The DFA also said no ransom was paid to secure Tarongoy’s release since the government has a "no ransom" policy. Tarongoy’s captors had demanded $10 million in exchange for his safe release, saying they would behead him if the ransom was not paid.
Tarongoy was abducted on Nov. 1, 2005, along with American Roy Hallums and four of their co-workers at the Baghdad office of the Saudi Arabia Trading and Contracting Co.
Special envoy to the Middle East Roy Cimatu said the entry of undocumented Filipino workers to Iraq is more difficult to control, as more Filipino truck drivers are being lured to work for a monthly salary of $5,000.
Despite this, Romulo said the ban on deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) to Iraq stands and the government is not inclined to lift the ban or give any exemption to members of the media planning to enter Iraq.
The DFA Office of Migrant Workers Affairs said that, so far, 50 OFWs have availed of the voluntary repatriation program, though grim news of OFWs’ deaths still made the news last year.
OFW Alexander Ilocto, 36 died on Nov. 18, 2005 when the truck he was driving turned turtle as he made his way back to Kuwait from US military camps in Baghdad. Ilocto was an unregistered OFW based in Kuwait.
Kuwait-based OFWs Ponciano Men-men Loque and Benjie Bongolan Carreon were killed recently in a bombing in Iraq.
In August 2005, Filipino engineer Federico Samson was killed in an ambush in Kirkuk, Iraq.
On April 14,2005 Filipino truck driver Marcelo Salazar Jr. was killed in what may have been a terrorist attack on a coalition convoy.
DFA records showed that there are 6,000 OFWs in US military camps in Iraq working as cooks, laundrymen, kitchen helpers, food servers and accountants.
Three days after Salazar’s death, OFW Rey Torres was killed when insurgents opened fire on his vehicle during a shooting in downtown Baghdad.
Despite security warnings, Torres went out of the US military camp where he was working without permission from camp authorities to buy a new ring tone for his cellular phone.
This week, Manila ends its term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. The Philippines called on the UNSC to assess itself and improve its structures and practices.
President Arroyo participated in the World Leaders Summit at the 60th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and presided over the UNSC in New York City.
Mrs. Arroyo made history as the first woman and first Asian head of state to preside over the UNSC, where she oversaw the adoption of two important resolutions: The Conflict Resolution and Resolution Against Inciting to Terrorism.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo presided over a thematic debate in the UNSC on "The Role of Civil Society in Conflict Prevention and the Pacific Settlement of Dispute."
Ambassador Lauro Baja Jr., Philippine permanent representative to the UN, said the Philippines established its identity and has earned the respect of members of the world body during its very eventful two-year membership in the UNSC.
Last year, the Philippines cited the need for the UN to be more involved in addressing the pressing issues of energy security and debt.
Mrs. Arroyo also urged all member states to act decisively on the problems of terrorism, energy crisis and debt burden in order to achieve the UN’s objectives.
The Philippine consulate in New York said the Philippines built on a successful presidency when it led the UNSC in the unanimous adoption of Resolution 1546 endorsing the then-interim government of Iraq and its assumption of full sovereignty over the country.
The Philippines voted in favor of the Resolution against terrorism in Iraq and condemned the "horrific" terrorist attacks on civilians and foreign diplomats.
Manila called on the UN’s member states to cooperate in stanching the flow of terrorists in and out of Iraq and preventing disruption of the political process there.
Baja said the Philippines voted for Resolution 1618 of 2005, which condemns — without reservation and in the strongest terms — terrorist attacks in Iraq and other acts that pose a threat to global peace and security.
As UNSC president, the Philippines voted last month for the resolution seeking justice for the May 14 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Harriri and urged Syria to comply fully with the mandates of the resolution.
Manila joined the 14 other members of the UNSC to vote unanimously for Resolution 1636 sponsored by the United States, United Kingdom and France, which labels political assassination as an act of terrorism.
Myanmar said during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in Vientiane that 2006 is a critical year for them and Yangon wants to devote its full attention to the democratization process, thus it declined the chairmanship of the ASEAN.
Myanmar has been under international pressure to shift from a military junta to a full democracy and for the release from house arrest of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Philippines also reiterated its position that Myanmar should implement democratic reforms.
Singapore’s Foreign Ministry transmitted a note verbale to the Philippine Embassy in Singapore indicating that Garcillano had been there.
However, while the House ordered Garcillano’s arrest, Romulo said the DFA cannot cancel Garcillano’s passport without a court order.
As in Garcillano’s case, the DFA said it could not cancel the passport of former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante without a court order or conviction by the court for a criminal offense.
Bolante was named in the fertilizer fund scam under investigation by the Senate agriculture committee.
The DFA transmitted a third diplomatic note to the US Embassy last month demanding custody of the US Marines accused of raping a 22- year-old Filipina in Olongapo City on Nov. 1, 2005.
Mussomeli, now ambassador to Cambodia, was summoned by the DFA and handed the note verbale containing the Philippine government’s protest over his statement in an interview on Australian television where he warned that Mindanao could be the next Afghanistan because of rampant poverty, lack of education and reports that foreign terrorists are roaming around in some areas in the Mindanao.
At the height of the country’s political crisis in July 2005, Mussomeli’s successor at the US embassy in Manila, Paul Jones, was also handed a note verbale containing the government’s protest against the alleged spying activities of Washington on Philippine officials.
The DFA said Negroponte "expressed support for the democratic leadership of President Arroyo."
A senior Filipino diplomat in the US said that lodging a diplomatic protest against the US government for allegedly keeping close tabs on developments in the Philippines political and military affairs is not necessary since this is "normal" even among allies.
Former Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy director Michael Ray Aquino was indicted in October 2005 for conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a US official. Despite this, the government said RP-US relations remain "steadfast," "strong," and "mutually beneficial."
Aquino was linked to a former US Marine and White House employee Leandro Aragoncillo in the alleged spying activities.
Undersecretary Zosimo Paredes, executive director of the VFACom, said the commission will formally recommend a review or amendment on custody of US military personnel charged in Philippine courts and other provisions seen as gray areas in the VFA.
Romulo said in May 2005 that, during his official visit to UN Headquarters in New York City, he spoke to Annan who accepted Mrs. Arroyo’s invitation to visit Manila.
Annan expressed support for the Philippines’ efforts for peace, financial stability and security — particularly the efforts to achieve peace in Mindanao and for regional cooperation during a meeting with Romulo on May 12, 2005.
South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun arrived in Manila on Dec. 14, 2005 for a three-day state visit to strengthen economic and political ties between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, as well as to reciprocate Mrs. Arroyo’s state visit to Seoul in June 2003.
On Dec. 6, 2005, Negroponte arrived in Manila to meet with his Philippine counterpart and other intelligence officials to discuss and further strengthen intelligence and counter-terrorism measures.
United States Assistance for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator James Kunder visited the country last month.
Kunder said the Philippines needs to restore the position it once held in Asia by addressing the long-term development problems.
During his visit, Kunder spent time in Mindanao particularly Davao City, Cotabato and Tawi-Tawi because a large share of the US foreign assistance program focuses on Mindanao.
US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Eric John also visited the country last month to meet with Mrs. Arroyo and Romulo, who assured him of the passage into law of the Philippines’ anti-terrorism bill before yearend.
The Prime Minister of Poland, Marek Belka, arrived in the Philippines on July 6, 2005 for a two-day official visit, the first visit made by a Polish head of state to the Philippines.
Belka’s visit was timely, as Poland has just become a member of the European Union (EU) and is growing into one of the biggest economies in Europe.
The Philippines received assurances of support from The Gambia for its application for observer status in the influential Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) during the visit of Gambian President Yahya A.J.J. on June 20, 2005, the first by an African head of state during the Arroyo administration.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono arrived in Manila for a three-day state visit in June, while in April, it was Chinese President Hu Jintao’s turn to visit Manila.
Because of the "plausible" threat, US embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop said the temporary closure of public services would last until the threat subsided.
Public services temporarily made unavailable included visa and consulate services, social security administration, and veterans’ affairs.
Reports quoted Manila police sources as saying a certain "Evita" called up the US embassy and threatened to bomb it, prompting the embassy to request police assistance. The embassy re-opened after two days.
The embassies of Switzerland and Singapore also received bomb threats.
In defending Rebong’s $10,000 monthly rental for her apartment, Philippine Ambassador to the US Albert del Rosario said Rebong’s official residence at the Trump Tower in New York City, is "an attractive, accessible and cost-effective venue for promotional campaign since it is also in keeping with the rental criteria set by the DFA."
Del Rosario said Rebong needs every available means to market and build confidence in the Philippines as a solid trade partner, a promising investment destination and an inviting tourism site.
Philippine Ambassador to Italy Philippe Lhuiller is also renting a luxurious house in the upscale district of Rome that costs between $10,000 and $12,000 a month.
Rebong, former Malacañang Chief of Protocol, obtained the authority to reside at the Trump Plaza from former DFA secretary Delia Albert.
The DFA also said no ransom was paid to secure Tarongoy’s release since the government has a "no ransom" policy. Tarongoy’s captors had demanded $10 million in exchange for his safe release, saying they would behead him if the ransom was not paid.
Tarongoy was abducted on Nov. 1, 2005, along with American Roy Hallums and four of their co-workers at the Baghdad office of the Saudi Arabia Trading and Contracting Co.
Special envoy to the Middle East Roy Cimatu said the entry of undocumented Filipino workers to Iraq is more difficult to control, as more Filipino truck drivers are being lured to work for a monthly salary of $5,000.
Despite this, Romulo said the ban on deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) to Iraq stands and the government is not inclined to lift the ban or give any exemption to members of the media planning to enter Iraq.
The DFA Office of Migrant Workers Affairs said that, so far, 50 OFWs have availed of the voluntary repatriation program, though grim news of OFWs’ deaths still made the news last year.
OFW Alexander Ilocto, 36 died on Nov. 18, 2005 when the truck he was driving turned turtle as he made his way back to Kuwait from US military camps in Baghdad. Ilocto was an unregistered OFW based in Kuwait.
Kuwait-based OFWs Ponciano Men-men Loque and Benjie Bongolan Carreon were killed recently in a bombing in Iraq.
In August 2005, Filipino engineer Federico Samson was killed in an ambush in Kirkuk, Iraq.
On April 14,2005 Filipino truck driver Marcelo Salazar Jr. was killed in what may have been a terrorist attack on a coalition convoy.
DFA records showed that there are 6,000 OFWs in US military camps in Iraq working as cooks, laundrymen, kitchen helpers, food servers and accountants.
Three days after Salazar’s death, OFW Rey Torres was killed when insurgents opened fire on his vehicle during a shooting in downtown Baghdad.
Despite security warnings, Torres went out of the US military camp where he was working without permission from camp authorities to buy a new ring tone for his cellular phone.
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