Sunday, December 31, 2017

The Biggest Story of 2017

The biggest story of 2017 is that the Duterte administration knew in advance about the Marawi attack, did nothing to prevent it, and the Senate has refused to investigate the most significant terror attack in Southeast Asia in 15 years.

How is this even possible? 

How is it possible that Duterte, Lorenzana, and Calida can all confess and admit publicly in the media and even testify before the Supreme Court that they knew about the Marawi attack, did nothing to prevent it, in fact allowed weapons to flow unabated into the area, and there be no national outrage? Where is the political opposition? Where is the media opposition? Where are the voices in the blogosphere? Where are the whistleblowers?  Why is there only silence?

How can the Senate get away with not investigating the most significant terror attack in SEA in 15 years? It is beyond outrageous that the Senate has investigated two homicides, shabu smuggling, and fake news and yet sees no importance in getting to the bottom of what happened and why it happened in Marawi. A continual refusal to investigate the causes of the Marawi siege and how to prevent such an event from reoccurring means any overtures from Congress about the safety of the country is bovine scatology.

The Congress does not care about the safety of the Philippines. Allowing China to build military bases in the SCS, pushing for an Islamic State which will be governed by the terrorist groups MILF and MNLF, and refusing to investigate the Marawi attack are all proof that Congress does not care about the safety of the Philippines or Filipinos.

You know I hope some Senator reads this, gets offended, and sues me. Then all this information can finally get the attention it deserves!

What follows is a copy/paste of all the points I have raised in a former article which details the Duterte administrations admissions of prior knowledge of the Marawi attack.  

Here are the facts of the matter for all those Senators who seem to not know the facts of the matter surrounding Marawi.

  1. The government knew about these attacks in April and knew as early as 2014 that ISIS was establishing itself in the country.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/172777-isis-military-marawi-crisis-martial-law-calida 
In the comment, Calida said the government had known as early as 2014 that there were links to ISIS being established by local groups in Mindanao. This is contrary to the stance taken by government at the time, under former president Benigno Aquino III: there is no ISIS in the Philippines.
"AFP intelligence reports disclose that as early as April 18, 2017, Abdullah Maute had dispatched his followers to the cities of Marawi, Iligan, and Cagayan de Oro to conduct bombing operations, carnapping, and 'liquidation' of AFP and PNP personnel in the said areas."

2. There was no failure of intelligence since the AFP and DND knew weapons were moving into the area.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/06/18/1711130/no-failure-intelligence-marawi
Duterte said the government was aware that firearms were being stockpiled in Mindanao but took it for granted because of the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).  
“We have adopted a very soft policy towards the rebels and this came about because they were bringing firearms. Since we are thinking of getting peace with the MNLF and MILF. The game there involves firearms. We took it for granted. We just allowed it to happen because we never knew until that time who was really the enemy,” Duterte told the troops in Butuan City.  
“When they see firearms and they were told that it’s for MILF or MNLF, the standing order was maybe we can talk to our brothers so there will be no trouble (but) it turned out that the Maute were bringing the firearms surreptitiously and we did not know how much ammunition and firearms were stockpiled, and besides it was not a failure of intelligence,” he added. 
3. Despite knowing all this Duterte and his top men took a trip to Russia just a few hours before the attack was launched.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/612764/palace-defends-huge-delegation-to-russia-everybody-was-necessary/story/
The list of Duterte’s official delegation to Russia sent to the media had 19 names, including Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial. 
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Science and Technology Secretary Fortunano dela Peña, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian were also part of the official delegation. 
But police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Armed Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Año, and Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson also joined the President’s official visit.
4. Duterte changed the narrative regarding how the Marawi siege happened. First it was a botched raid against Abu Sayyaf leader Hapilon.


Now the reason is that a warrant was being served against a powerful and unnamed drug lord.

5. The DND was given foreign intelligence reports which they failed to verify despite having their own intelligence that ISIS was building up since 2014 and that Marawi was a known target since a month before the actual attack.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana admitted that there was a lack of validation on the government side regarding intelligence reports on the siege in Marawi City. 
Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have earlier warned the Philippines of the possible presence of ISIS-inspired local terror groups in the country, according to a report from UNTV. 
Lorenzana said that the incident in Marawi City would serve as a lesson for the Department of National Defense and the military to validate intelligence reports. 
"Maybe what we can do in the future is restudy what we are doing [in the] intelligence sector... so that we can be better prepared if something like this happens again," Lorenzana said.
It is in this same news article where Lorenzana is quoted as saying:
"The time of blaming somebody or pointing somebody is past that, ito na nga nangyari. We can no longer bring back the lives of those 110 people killed, 900 wounded," Lorenzana said.
Lorenzana could not be more wrong. 

There must be an investigation into the prior knowledge of the Marawi attack.  Can you imagine if there was no investigation into the attacks of September 11, 2001?  Can you imagine if Defense Secretary Rumsfeld said the time of blaming somebody is past and hinted that an investigation into the largest terror attack in United States was unnecessary?  That is exactly what is happening now.  

Senator Poe thinks there is a cover-up in the hazing death of UST student Horacio Castillo Jr.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/09/26/1742882/poe-there-cover-attempt-hazing-victim-case
There is an even bigger cover-up occurring in this matter of the government's prior knowledge of the Marawi attack. No one, no Senator, no Congressman, no journalist, no blogger, NO ONE has called for an investigation into this matter despite so much damning information being a part of the public record.

The time for an investigation is now. Duterte recognises the danger terrorism poses to the country.  He has even warned that more cities will be consumed with the fury of war. Is the Senate prepared to allow that to happen?  Is the Senate prepared to ignore the failures which led to Marawi and allow them to perpetuate? Is the Senate prepared to let those responsible for allowing the Marawi attacks to happen to not be held accountable? Is the Senate prepared to have the blood of hundreds, thousands, millions, on their hands because they failed to investigate this matter?

Why is there silence on this matter?  What is the Senate afraid of?

Investigate the prior knowledge of the Marawi attack now!

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Motorcycle Crash

Motorcycle crash!






What happened?  I don't know!  I can make an educated guess:

Motorcyclist with no lights on attempts u-turn and gets rammed by van who could not see him.  

These pictures anger me more than anything else. Such an accident is totally preventable. They weren't even wearing helmets. The passenger was alive but I don't know about the driver. I would be surprised if he made it seeing as he is stuffed under the van.

This is why PNP must patrol the roads and enforce safety laws. If they did this then people wouldn't ride around with no lights or no helmets. After passing this disaster scene I saw many more motorcycles and jeepnies and cars with no lights. 

Dying or being horribly injured while driving in the Philippines is a (preventable) tragedy waiting to happen.

Friday, December 29, 2017

Retards in the Government 29

Part 29 of Retards in the Government. Everyone may be on vacation for the holidays but corruption never takes a break. 

Let's start off with trying to simplify a rather long and convoluted story.

The PCSO is being accused of throwing a lavish Christmas party.  The accuser, Sandra Cam, at first said the total cost was 10 million.
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/22/1770851/pcso-general-manager-p6-million-party-its-not-lavish
“It’s a tradition of PCSO ever since… Compared to other Christmas parties in previous years, this is way below,” he said.
But now we are told the amount was only 6 million and that the PCSO board had agreed to this budget as a body. Allegedly this lottery organisation is one of the most consistently corrupt organisations in the Philippines. But the poor people of the land need not worry because Duterte is investigating.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/954297/duterte-to-look-into-grandiose-pcso-party

Sandra Cam, the lady who has brought this Christmas party to light, was appointed by Duterte to the PCSO board on December 5th. This lady is a very good friend of Duterte. A few months back Duterte vowed he would appoint her to a position in the government if she asked. This in exchange for her help during his campaign. Cam's appointment to the PCSO board is surely the fulfilment of that promise.

Backtrack to September and we see that Dutere was considering abolishing the agency completely.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/817387/duterte-mulls-abolition-of-most-corrupt-govt-agency-pcso
But why do that?  Why abolish an agency that rakes in billions of pesos every year? Why not instead get someone to head that agency who is completely loyal and will do whatever you tell them? Dutere did appoint the current director Balutan but maybe their relationship is not so good. Maybe Duterte has tired of him. Enter Sandra Cam.

Even Balutan can read the writing on the wall.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/954388/breaking-pcso-alexander-balutan-sandra-cam-christmas-party-politics
But he might be forced to resign before that!

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/954664/pcso-execs-should-resign-over-p6-m-lavish-party-says-gatchalian
We have not heard the last of this story!

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/954282/duterte-orders-travel-ban
The President, who is 72, said he easily got dizzy and that he had some “spinal trouble” that kept him from enjoying travelling overseas. 
“After so many accidents on the motorcycle, I easily get dizzy. Sometimes, I puke. Add the spinal trouble that I have,” Mr. Duterte said.
Interesting little factoid about Duterte. How often does he get dizzy and puke?
Imagine being so shameless that you will twist the words of Jesus (forgive your enemies, turn the other cheek, forgive them for they know not what they do, forgive your brother seventy times seven) into a cloak of impunity for your deeds.
The report by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative concluded that Beijing "remains committed" to moving to the next phase of its activities such as construction of facilities needed for fully-functioning air and naval bases. 
However, despite this relentless construction work, the Philippines seemed unalarmed. 
Manila said Monday that despite China's admission that it expanded its islands in the contested waters it would continue to rely on Beijing's "good faith."
This is literally the result of a weak Philippine government who's members are more concerned with enlarging their bank accounts than in protecting the country. Despite his moves to appease China it's not just Duterte's doing. This is a long time in the making since no Philippine administration has had the guts to stand up to China. Soon China will have military bases right next door. And then what?  Rely on their good faith?  How about rely on international law which is in favour of the Philippines rights in the SCS or just plain respect for your neighbours? 
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/27/1772226/palace-may-not-dnd-knows-about-china-expansion
It's possible but not likely that the DND knows about these buildings but the Palace does not. What about the boast that "President Rodrigo Duterte spent his confidential and intelligence funds "better than the past administrations"?"  Someone is lying.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson accused Faeldon of receiving P100 million in "pasalubong" or welcome gift from smugglers and unscrupulous businessmen. Lacson said his accusation was confirmed by Lapeña.

Duterte has repeatedly said he does not tolerate even a whiff of corruption from his men.
After being implicated in the 6 billion peso shabu scandal this guy has more than a "whiff of corruption" about him and yet Duterte says, "The government needs him."

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/955562/lacson-says-faeldon-to-work-behind-senate-detention-cell-customs-faeldon-dnd-senate-detention-lacson-new-appointment
Faeldon is currently detained at the Senate detention facility after the Senate blue ribbon committee investigating the BOC mess ordered his detention when he repeatedly refused to appear before the panel’s hearing.
Lest we forget, this new appointee is currently behind bars at the Senate detention facility for contempt for refusing to appear before the Senate hearing on the shabu scandal. A really stellar choice to appoint to the DND.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/955735/lawmakers-urge-senate-to-prioritize-safer-workplace-bill-davao-senate-lawmakers-safe-workplace-nccc-fire-villanueva
“These testimonies substantiate the lack of compliance of some companies on our occupational safety and health standards. We already need a stricter law that would penalize erring employers and impose more stringent regulations on OSH standards,” Villanueva said in a statement on Thursday.
A deadly fire at a mall in Davao kills 38 people and now Sen. Villanueva says this is proof a law with stricter standards and penalties needs to be passed. WRONG! What really needs to happen is that OSHC-DOLE needs to enforce the laws already on the books. How many construction sites are there where the workers are wearing sandals and no shirt or helmet or PPE of any kind? How many obstructed doors and fire hazards are there at malls and stores? Just about every single mall has a one way in, one way out entrance. And no one cares! As with just about every problem in the Philippines it's enforcement of existing regulations and not more regulations one can easily bribe their way around which is needed.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/955671/mayor-couple-in-cebu-charged-over-towns-deals-with-familys-bakery
Another tale of politicians using public funds to buy from business they own as well as buying materials without first going through a bidding process. Very common in the Philippines.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/637900/no-mercy-for-cops-who-ll-indiscriminately-fire-guns-during-the-holidays-ncrpo-chief/story/
When the police have to be warned to not treat their service weapons like toys you know you have a problem.

This being the final Retards in the Government post for 2017 I can't think of a more fitting way to end the year than with the following poorlyedited opinion piece:
http://www.philstar.com/freeman-opinion/2017/12/28/1772284/17-biggest-liesand-broken-promises-2017

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Standing in Trucks 3

They're still standing.  Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Even on the highways they still pack 'em in like sardines and there's like 50 people standing in the back of a speeding truck.  It's surprising there aren't more highway fatalities.












Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Lechon

Lechon. Fresh lechon! It's a whole pig skewered and roasted over a pit. After it's done cooking it's time to transport that pig to the vendor.


Instead of putting the lechon in an enclosed truck they put it on a tricycle and transport it through the open air! That means as this tricycle has been speeding along bugs and dirt and who knows what else have been bombarding that lechon like tiny missiles penetrating deep into that delicious, crispy pig flesh adding their own unique flavour to the mix! GROSS!!

How likely is it the vendor will even consider this fact and give this little piggy a bath after it's tricycle ride?


Well here it is.  This is the vendor. Some little booth that is literally in the road. IN. THE. ROAD! 


Oh it's just on the side of the road. Yeah that's still in the road. Not on a sidewalk. Not in a restaurant. IN. THE. ROAD.

How are these roadside food vendors and restaurants even allowed to legally operate?

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Martial Law: Ceasefire

The end of the year is only a week away but the fate of Mindanao for next year is secured. It's war. It's war with the Muslim terrorists who show no signs of stopping in their goal of establishing an Islamic State in Mindanao.  It's war against drug lords and drug users and the narcopoliticians who protect and profit from both. 

And it's war against the NPA. A hundred years on from the Russian revolution and the evil and stupid ideology of communism is still being fought in the jungles and mountains of the Philippines. It's a big job and the unprepared and untrained AFP are going to need some help.

The lumad recruits, organized into four Sundalo ng Mamamayan Armado Laban sa Terorismo at Kriminalidad (Soldiers of the People Armed Against Terrorism and Criminality, or SMART) companies, are set to be assigned near their home villages after graduating from an eight-week basic military training, according to Capt. Jerry Lamosao, public affairs chief of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (ID).
This group may be called SMART but how smart is it to give these tribes military training and weapons and then send them on their way to defend their homes? Who's to say these groups won't get wise and rise up themselves or even join established armed groups?  Is creating more armed groups to battle armed groups a smart idea? Are the lumads also getting the special urban training the Australians are offering?

http://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/12/19/17/military-trains-with-australian-troops-on-urban-warfare
Aside from war against the communists and the Muslims the Philippine government is committed to establishing a fully functioning Islamic state in Mindanao. Which begs the question, "Why bother fighting these groups if you are going to do their work for them?"
 
And why does anyone think the BBL will quench the violence in Mindanao when the ARMM is filled with violence?

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2017/12/21/1770536/armm-opens-center-conflict-affected-maguindanao-towns
Their agricultural productivity, however, has been at all-time low due to frequent displacement by militants.
The ARMM is so violent that farmers can't even grow food. 

But this is all for next year. What about right now?  What's going to happen right now in the war against the NPA especially? The government just officially declared them a terrorist organisation and the Congress just officially voted to extend martial law for a whole year. Time to go in there and squash those commies with no regrets, right!?

Wrong!
https://www.rappler.com/nation/191904-government-dates-christmas-ceasefire-communists
In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the unilateral ceasefire against communists will run from 6 pm of December 23 to 11:59 pm of December 26, and from 6 pm of December 30 to 11:59 pm of January 2. 
"This unilateral ceasefire would lessen the apprehension of the public this Christmas season. We expect that the CPP-NPA-NDFP would do a similar gesture of goodwill," Roque said in an earlier statement.
A holiday ceasefire?  I guess the NPA isn't that much of a threat if they can call a ceasefire for the holidays.

After much hemming and hawing and dillydallying and back and forthing the government has finally decided on a four days on, four days off, four days on ceasefire, and then a resumption of hostilities. And they expect the communists, who they so recently reclassified as terrorists, to extend a similar gesture of goodwill?

Crazy!  But the CPP has issued a ceasefire for the same dates as the AFP.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/191993-communist-insurgency-holiday-ceasefire
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) matched the dates of the broken ceasefire declared by the government. For Christmas, the ceasefire will be from December 23 to 26. For the New Year, the ceasefire will be from December 30 to January 2.
Originally the ceasefire was planned for the whole week unbroken.  
"The President announced last night a suspension of military operations (SOMO) from December 24, 2017 to January 2, 2018," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/637134/duterte-orders-holiday-ceasefire-palace-expects-reds-to-do-the-same/story/
What prompted Duterte to change it from one unbroken timeframe of 10 days to the schedule of a factory worker on a rotating 12 hour shift? 

Even though the AFP will remain in a defensive posture:
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/24/1771456/afp-stay-defensive-vs-reds
It's hard not to scoff in derision that the AFP will be basically off duty during the ceasefire while McDonald's will remain open all throughout the holiday season.

Monday, December 25, 2017

Christmas Baskets

What did you get for Christmas this year?  Maybe you got one of these sweet gift baskets from SM!




What a random basket of stuff.  Nachos, Nescafe, canned ham, canned fruit cocktail, spaghetti sauce, lasagna, sparkling juice, and a bottle of olive oil. How does any of that stuff go together?


This is practically the same basket only with Oreos and Pringles instead of nachos.




I assume these are all for a party. Maybe an employer bought a whole bunch of these bags and is giving them away as gifts. But it's just random food stuff thrown into a plastic bag and tied shut wth a  red ribbon. Merry Christmas. How thoughtful.

I won't say the above baskets are garbage because they aren't. Some people might actually appreciate those baskets. But here is some garbage skilfully crafted into the Spirit of Christmas. 



Deck the halls with empty soda bottles!