Retards in the Government Part 35

Its time for another edition of Retards in the Government. This edition features many of the same old faces: Roque, Duterte, Bato, China.  But don't fret!  The names may remain the same but each incident is wholly unique in its outlandishness and silliness. 

http://www.philstar.com/metro/2018/02/02/1783707/5-spd-cops-nabbed-p.2-m-extort-try#sthash.1s3exTSP.uxfs

PNP officers extorting people and being generally corrupt. Looks like that 100% pay raise to deter corruption did not work. No surprises here.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/01/30/1782697/tokhangers-be-armed-bibles-rosaries

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/965525/pnp-told-stop-using-bible-as-tokhang-prop

The EPD had said seeing police officers carrying Bibles and rosaries could stop drug suspects from resisting arrest and just surrender. 

But there is no known study, police or whatever, that the Bible or rosary has calming effects on addicts, whose brains, according to President Duterte, have been shrunk by drugs.

Holy Mary, Mother Of God, pray for this drug user now in the hour of his death.  BANG!

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/02/02/1783829/philippines-welcomes-us-execs-remarks-anti-drug-war

US deputy assistant secretary of state for international narcotics and law enforcement James Walsh said there are encouraging signs that extrajudicial killings in the Philippines are on the wane. 

“He shares our perspective that illegal drugs are serious security and public health concerns for all countries, and its complete eradication from the country will require continuous and effective cooperation with our international partners, including the US,” the DFA said, referring to Walsh.

What spin and hypocrisy! James Walsh says EJKs are declining which means he believes there are still EJKs in the drug war while this is something the PNP emphatically denies. There are and have been no EJKs according to the PNP. American assistance to the PNP has also declined and remained that way since alleged abuses of human rights came to light. But the DFA says Walsh and the Philippines are on the same page! And why do they care what some Western kano no-nothing says about the drug war? I thought the Philippines was sailing its own course.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/pinoyabroad/news/641797/fixers-do-brisk-business-as-slots-remain-elusive-for-passport-applicants/story/

Fixers offering appointment slots also operate outside of the DFA-Aseana in Pasay City, as Investigative Documentaries found out through the use of surveillance video. 

The DFA, which is discouraging applicants to avail of the services of fixers, said its campaign against these unauthorized persons selling slots is hindered by the agency's lack of police power.

Lack of police power? But DFA Secretary Cayetano said there were no fixers or syndicates and everything was fixed.  They even released 100,000 slots! This agency is definitely corrupt.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/642086/trillanes-to-ask-senate-to-probe-duterte-inday-sara-bank-accounts/story/

Trillanes is a one-note kind of guy.  All he talks about is Duterte's bank accounts. He will never ask the Senate to probe the largest terrorist attack in Southeast Asia in 15 years.  He will never ask the Senate to probe the Marawi attack so security flaws can be fixed and the Philippines made more secure. This mutineer does not care about the safety of the country.

2015

https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/110679-duterte-contradictions-dictatorship

“It’s going to be a dictatorship,” he added. “It’s the police and the military who will be the backbone. If they agree with you – if the right-thinking policemen and military men agree with you – then after 6 years, there will be a new set-up: maybe a federal type, less corruption, and a fresh air for the next generation.”

2018, February 03

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/02/03/1784037/duterte-urges-filipinos-dont-support-dictator

I guess no one should have voted for Duterte!

2018, February 08

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2018/02/08/duterte-admits-being-dictator-587922

"If you say dictator, I am really a dictator. If I don't act (like a) dictator, son of a b****, nothing will happen to this country," the President said in Visayan. 

"That's true. If I don't act (like a) dictator, which is my style now, nothing will happen to this country," he added. 

"I had to (act like a dictator). Besides, you have chosen me as your president. Why won't you follow me when my dreams are all for you?" he added.

So is he saying he IS a dictator or that he is merely ACTING like a dictator? Is there really a difference?

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/02/05/1784708/philippines-can-build-own-ships-boost-military-capability

The Philippines can develop its own shipbuilding industry to ensure the military will have the capability to secure the country and its territorial waters from piracy, terrorism and encroachment, Sen. Richard Gordon said yesterday.

Secure the country's territorial waters against encroachment?

http://www.inquirer.net/specials/exclusive-china-militarization-south-china-sea

It's too late for that!

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/163814/palace-duterte-roque-south-china-sea-militarization-disputed-sea-island-military-reef

He's got a point. The Duterte administration is reaping the fruits sown by previous administrations. But there are things that could be done like shunning China. Not taking loans. Not inviting them to be a 3rd telecom player. Not seeking an alliance with them.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/02/05/1784691/panelo-digong-berdugong-anghel

“I was asked to describe him. How are you going to describe Duterte? He is my friend for more than 30 years. We can call him ‘berdugong anghel.’ He is tough with criminals, on irregularities, and on all kinds of illegal activities in our country. He is an angel who gives love and protection to our countrymen,” Panelo said while attending the bicentennial anniversary of Ilocos Sur on Friday in Vigan City. 

“The President said that ‘there is only one principle that my presidency will observe and that is what the Constitution mandates me, directs me and orders me.’ That is to serve and protect the people,” Panelo said.

Duterte the avenging angel who only seeks to follow the Constitution yet owns up to acting like, if not actually being, a dictator.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2018/02/05/1784813/angeles-city-library-has-no-librarians-complaint-alleges

More non-librarians appointed to positions which according to law should only be occupied by librarians.  This time its the Mayor of Angeles City who has appointed the wrong person to the job.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/02/05/1784838/doh-officials-face-misconduct-negligence-raps-over-dengvaxia

The dengevaxia debacle continues to unfold and it looks like officials will face trials over their conduct but the problem here is that the group filing the complaint is the VACC which is a private body which goes around filing cases and doing the job that should be done by the DOJ.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/642152/duterte-threatened-to-resign-if-salaries-of-cops-soldiers-will-not-be-raised-bato/story/

Now that's how you get things done. If you want a special piece of legislation passed simply threaten to resign if it's not passed. Don't worry about feasibility. Just make them do it regardless of the consequences because having your promise carried out haphazardly and all at once is much better than implementing it in a way that is feasible and won't cause a ruckus from teachers or hospital workers or other groups who also want a pay raise.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/965448/duterte-threatens-to-kick-out-protesting-up-students-duterte-palace-up-protesters-politics

Who knew the Office of the President had the power and authority to dismiss or admit students to the University of the Philippines? What section of the Constitution is that again?

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/02/06/1784894/contrary-roques-remark-china-structures-man-made-islands-grew-under

The administration is lying about what it knew and when?  Colour me shocked!

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/02/06/1785259/duterte-believes-he-will-be-belittled-brussels-meet

The real problem is Duterte thinks other politicians are just like him; tough talking, foul mouthed rough and tumble dudes who say what's on their mind with no regard for decency. He is also coming across as scared and thin skinned.

http://business.inquirer.net/245451/coca-cola-ph-laying-off-workers

“This restructuring has been a very difficult decision. It was carried out only after an exhaustive and conscientious assessment of the evolving regulatory environment, our operational efficiency, and consequent performance in the market,” it added.

That means due to higher excise taxes on sugar to make the product and oil to transport the product Coca-Cola is laying off workers. These unemployed people will be tasting the benefits of the TRAIN law passed by Congress last year.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/07/18/duterte-promise-to-solve-drug-problem-a-fiasco

"Now, I would tell you that I—there was this promise which turned out to be a nightmare, a fiasco. Well, because when I was mayor, I made the promise—ang mindset ko was Davao. And I maybe, naiveté, had something to do with that also," he said. 

"Sabi ko, in six months time, I will solve the problem of drugs. But that was based on the factual situation in Davao, numbers and all. But when I became President, nakita ko 'yung magnitude, the dimension of the contamination at it run into millions, at maraming namatay."

His promise to end drugs was based on the situation in Davao and not on the national situation. This just proves he is a small time thinker and not the forward thinking powerhouse some would have us to believe.

http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2018/02/07/1785458/mabolo-cops-rewarded-declining-bribe

The deed has reached Osmeña on January 29. “I will personally contribute 20,000 pesos, 2 lechons, and unli-beer for a salu-salo for the men of the Mabolo Station at a time of their choosing. Proud to have honest police like them,” reads Osmena’s Facebook status.

The PNP is so corrupt that when they reject bribes it's a cause for celebration.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/02/07/1785347/doh-studying-lawsuit-vs-sanofi-pasteur-dengvaxia-mess

Sanofi Pasteur has agreed to refund the unused doses of dengevaxia but the DOH wants a refund for the used doses as well. This demand has been refused on the basis that a refund “would imply that the vaccine is ineffective, which is not the case.” Indeed the vaccine remains on the market and in use in several other countries and it seems as if it is only the Philippines where hysteria over the vaccine has spread amongst the public. Maybe the problem is not the vaccine but the way it was distributed in the Philippines.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/966960/sandiganbayan-dismisses-graft-case-vs-bacolod-mayor

The Sandiganbayan has dismissed a graft case against Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and nine other city officials and employees because of the “inordinate” delay in investigating and resolving the case that reached more than eight years.

Inordinate delay? This case stems from 2008 and I am pretty certain that in this series of posts, "Retards in the Government," I have documented politicians being convicted of corruption for cases stemming form 2007 and 2005.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/195515-harry-roque-philippines-thank-china-artificial-islands

"There will come a time when China's might has ceased, when we will have to thank them for those islands," he said. 

"Clearly, eventually, those artificial islands will be ours if we can ask China to leave," he added, maintaining that only the Philippines can legally build artificial islands.

We were all fooled. We all thought Filipino policy regarding China and the SCS was foolish and weak but really the Philippines was only pretending to be weak when in fact they were leading China all along to develop the islands for them. It's absolutely brilliant! Filipinos are true masters of The Art of War techniques.

Once More Into the Ditch

It's not just the congested traffic and unruly drivers which makes driving in the Philippines scary. It's also the many unprotected deep excavations and other road constructions scattered all about. I wrote about this a few months back.

https://philippinefails.blogspot.com/2017/10/highway-to-danger-zone.html

Look at this deep pit with nary a barrier except flimsy caution tape.

Fear of falling into these crevices is palpable when driving in the crowded traffic alongside the edge. I have yet to experience such a fall but one man has and he did not escape death.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2018/02/06/man-bike-falls-dpwh-drain-project-dies-587498

What a senseless and preventable tragedy.

In a separate interview, District Engineer Leslie Anthony Molina told reporters that since December last year, he has reminded the contractor to put up protective barriers or caution lines to prevent accidents in that area. 

“We advised them to acquire steel plates to cover the excavated manholes but the contractor said they were apprehensive of acquiring them as these might get stolen,” Molina said. 

When I read that I burst out in laughter.  What a joke!  I have heard excuses like this plenty of times. I ask why we can't get a doorbell and I am told because the children will play pranks. I ask why don't the cops just arrest those children since they found them drinking and playing with guns and I am told because they will just say the cops planted the weapons. It's always a ridiculous case scenario with no thought for safety or convenience or rule of law because the first thought is always: It might get stolen or someone might lie about it or something might go wrong.

I wonder is that why these construction workers so often have no boots but only sandals? They think their boots might get stolen?

This deep hole did not even have a flimsy caution tape! There was absolutely nothing to prevent this accident which means it's a miracle this guy is the only one to fall in and die.

But it gets even worse.

Despite the accident, Molina said that DPWH can’t sanction the contractor, who is obligated to finish the project as part of their contract. He, however, advised the contractor to assist Delos Reyes’ family with their needs, including burial assistance. 

Can't sanction them? Why not? This company should be sanctioned out of existence. Huge fines should be levied for each day there was no barrier and they should be criminally charged with negligence leading to death. The lawyers for Cebu should find a way for the city to get out of the contract so a responsible company can be employed. If this were not the Philippines this business would be sued to the last dime by the family but this is the Philippines and the family is lucky that the company has agreed to pay funeral expenses. Of course if this were not the Philippines this outrageous tragedy would never have happened because proper safety precautions would have been followed.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2018/02/06/dad-wont-file-charges-vs-contractor-587567

Alejo delos Reyes Jr., father of Norman, said there was no need for them to file charges against AR Adlawan Construction, as the company already committed to shoulder the funeral expenses of his son.

What this family needs is a bright lawyer who is willing to assist them free of charge or for a percentage of the inevitably enormous sum this company would be forced to pay in a wrongful death suit.

Stay safe out there on the roads!

Dog Covered in Motor Oil

Maybe you read my post "Dog Flowers" and wondered what that was all about. The explanation is that a neighbour's dog died and I returned the corpse to his house. I knocked on his gate to confirm it was his dog (I knew it was because that dog and his friend are always laying in the street in front of the house) and he said it was and thanked me for bringing it to him. Then he said that BOTH dogs are sick which means the owner is letting them both wander the neighbourhood without treatment and with grave risk of infecting everyone's dogs and now one dog is dead from who knows what illness.

The dog that died appeared healthy unlike his friend who is obviously very ill and is covered in mange. 

This dog is so sickly that he cannot even bark properly. His bark ends in coughing wheeze as if he were an old man with emphysema. You can clearly see this dog has very little fur and is riddled with mange.  He probably has other illnesses as well. I am surprised he's not dead.

It is clear to me that the owner does not care much for his dog or else he would at least try to treat him and not let him roam around. But silly me for thinking such a thing. Of course the owner cares that his beloved dog is covered in mange. Just take a look at how the concerned owner so thoughtfully covered the dog in motor oil as a curative.

 

This huge puddle of oil was formed by dripping off the dog.

Wow who knew motor oil could be used medicinally? I'm really confident that covering the dog in motor oil will cure his disease and not inflame the skin or infect any of the numerous open wounds he has. I know any medicine can be unpleasant at first but tomorrow this dog will be right as rain.

Maybe the owner ought to pour a little bleach in the dog's water bowl to kill any internal diseases the dog has.

Martial Law: Surrender

The AFP has been busy this past week but not busy with fighting. Rather than fight many terrorists have chosen to lay down their arms and surrender.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2018/01/30/more-abu-sayyaf-bandits-surrender-military-586454

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/02/01/npa-regulars-supporters-continue-to-surrender/

Even top officials are laying down their arms and surrendering.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/640013/npa-official-wife-surrender-in-south-cotabato-army/story/

Hundreds of NPA soldiers have surrendered.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/966035/afp-npa-rebels-surrenderees

Those who refuse to surrender are still being caught and arrested.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/965782/military-announces-arrest-of-alleged-npa-leader-in-davao

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/02/04/1784407/another-npa-officer-nabbed

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/01/world/asia/philippines-communist-rebel.html

The AFP says that if the trend continues the NPA will be quickly defeated.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/02/05/1784688/afp-sees-npa-threat-being-degraded

Those with good sense would greet these arrests with applause and hope for more. The quicker the CPP-NPA is dismantled the quicker peace can come to the Philippines. The only thing better than an arrested commie is:

But we don't live amongst people with good sense. We live in a a world where people haven't the slightest clue as to what is going on. We live in a world where 100 years after the bloodshed of the Russian Revolution there are still people attempting what Lenin succeeded at but which ultimately crumbled upon itself 70 years later. We live in a world where people still believe in an economic and political philosophy which has proven to be bankrupt and worthless. We live in the Philippines.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/02/02/1783893/baylosis-arrest-part-crackdown-dissent-supporters-say

Crack down on dissent? Yeah sure. It has nothing to do with the fact that the dissent is violent nor that he was found with weapons nor with the fact that he, along with other NDFP officials should never have been granted bail in the first place to engage in peace talks with the government. (Don't forget the goal of the CPP is the overthrow of the government therefore no peace is possible.)

https://www.rappler.com/nation/195197-joma-npa-more-attacks-peace-talks

War is peace according to Joma Sison. Anyone who thinks more terrorism will lead to peace is a fool and anyone who thinks Baylosis is being persecuted and is not in fact a criminal who deserves to be prosecuted and locked up is also a fool.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/577339/communist-leader-faces-multiple-murder-case-granted-bail/story/

Baylosis should have never been allowed out on bail and he should never have been given permission to travel abroad for peace talks. Who in their right mind would free someone accused of mass murder? A Philippine judge told to do so by Duterte in a so-called gesture of goodwill! None of the terrorists released on bail to attend the peace talks should have been released. It was a foolish thing for Duterte to have done and now these terrorists are roaming freely about.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/965813/militant-solon-fears-npa-retaliation-and-capture-grp-negotiators-ndf-npa-casilao-baylosis-arrest-communism-cases

If this will continue, the arrest of the so-called NDF consultants temporarily released on bail, it may come to a point that the NPA declare its own arrest of the GRP negotiators and consultants.

What a ridiculous bit of blackmail just like those Senators who say pass the BBL or be prepared to fight Islamic terrorists. These NDF consultants are all criminals who have been graciously released on bail and as such their bail can be revoked by the courts who granted it if they see fit to do so. That there would be retaliation just shows how evil a group the NPA is.

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/143498-political-prisoners-ndf-consultants-peace-talks

Be sure to read the information at that link which gives a breakdown of the criminal activities of each terrorist released to take part in the peace talks. These criminals are all bad news.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/641845/npa-rebels-behead-lumad-cafgu-in-surigao-del-sur-military/story/

Yeah it's just dissent. Beheading is free speech.

Now that the NPA rebels are being rounded up let's take a brief look back to 2015 before moving on. 2015 in the Philippines was just like 2008 in the USA when a young upstart from a small backwater was inspiring the nation with promises of hope and change.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/738022/duterte-cheers-rebels-mabuhay-ang-npa

The controversial mayor said he believed the NPA was “religiously following” international law when it came to handling captured policemen and soldiers.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/728472/duterte-to-npa-lets-prepare-for-a-peaceful-life-during-my-presidency

“It is time to end the fighting,” he said in a speech at the 131st anniversary of this town, considered one of the last bastions of communist insurgency in the country, on Monday. “Come down from the mountains, come home and let’s talk,” Duterte said, as he asked the crowd who among them were members of the New People’s Army. 

“Those who are NPAs raise your hands. Come on, don’t be shy,” he said, as the crowd gamely put their hands up.

Amazing isn't it? Duterte has no clue what he is doing. He's nice, he's mean. He's for peace, he's for war. He praises the NPA for religiously following the Geneva convention regarding POWs, he condemns the NPA for their barbarity:

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/02/01/1783689/duterte-condemns-npa-beheading-militiaman-likens-rebels-isis

Communists and deluded leftists who think communism is just fine and any crackdown is a crackdown on free speech aren't the only ones confused about what is going on.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/965472/moros-oppose-new-afp-camp-in-marawi

Moro groups slammed the government’s plan to build a second military camp in Marawi City, saying money intended for this purpose should instead go to the needs of people displaced by the five-month war with terrorists. 

Aida Ibrahim, spokesperson for the Marawi evacuees’ group, Tindeg Ranao, said they could not understand why the government was building another camp in Marawi when more than 140,000 people were still staying in 67 evacuation centers and relatives’ houses in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte provinces and Iligan City, unable to return home. 

“His (Mr. Duterte) bias, obviously, is not for the victims of the Marawi siege,” Ibrahim told the Inquirer on Wednesday.

Could these Muslims be anymore wrong? Why is a second military camp needed in Marawi? Probably has something to do with all the the violent Islamic groups in the area. What is Aida Ibrahim doing for the Marawi refugees? What has she done to quell the violence in the region? Has she been an advocate for peace? Has she condemned those who knew about the build up of arms in the city? Has she called out the culture of rido killings? Or has she engaged in the Islamic pastime of taqyia - concealment through dissimulation? Never trust a Muslim.

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/01/30/duterte-turnover-housing-units-maranao-marawi-city-sagonsongan.html

Look at how Duterte is biased against the Marawi victims! 

Granted obtaining these shelters might be difficult but chalk that up to Philippine culture and the government's eagerness to stem corruption and makes sure true Marawi evacuees are serviced first.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/963359/for-marawi-folk-getting-new-houses-not-easy

It turned out that under the guidelines crafted by the government, he was not qualified for the houses because, while he fled the city during the war on Islamic State followers, he did not own a house inside the battle zone. 

“We only rented space there,” he said. 

Farmida Macabando, head of the Association of Barangay Councils here, said it was the government’s technical working group that prepared the guidelines. 

“The recipients must have had a house inside ground zero and possess titles to the lots that these houses had been built on. They should also be [classified as] low-income,” Macabando said. 

She said recipients should also secure certification from their village chiefs that they were indeed from the villages inside the war zone.

She cited data showing more than 13,000 families had been certified to be from ground zero and relocating them was priority.

When I mention Philippine culture I mean it.  Owning titles to land is not very culturally relevant to Filipinos who rely on handshakes and oral promises. 

Rough “guesstimates” suggest that only about half of the estimated 22 million parcels of land in the country are titled. Most of these untitled properties are located in urban and low income settings, and approximately 39 million Filipinos stand to benefit from the government’s land titling program. In 2012, some 10,000 titles are set to be distributed. This is expected to increase in the next years as the program gains momentum.

http://business.inquirer.net/76443/land-titling-for-inclusive-growth

This lack of clear land ownership is just one of many obstacles which will make rehabilitating Marawi and its citizens a complicated task.

http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2018/02/02/the-struggle-for-marawi-has-only-just-begun/

Aside from the danger of explosion, other factors complicate residents’ returning to the city. Properties often did not have formal titles (a common occurrence in the Philippines), which makes reoccupation of residential lots uncertain 

Another source of concern is the ability of violent extremist recruiters to fish in these troubled waters.

Violent extremists recruiting in the area? Tell that to Aida Ibrahim!

Filipino Mousetrap

There has been a war at my house lately.  A war against mice and rats. The ever reliable glue trap has been a key to success in this war. Three dead rats and many smaller mice have been the toll so far.  However the remaining rats had become too smart. They had learned how to evade the glue traps.  I needed something bigger.  Something deadlier actually but with all the dogs laying out poison is not the best option. Hiring someone costs 3,500 pesos plus more for maintenance so that is also not an option. I wanted to try a trap. A spring trap which would crush the rat's head as soon as he took the bait. I was told someone could make us a trap.  A big trap.  I was very leery of this idea since I could go downtown and buy any number of traps which are guaranteed to work but I forked over some money for mesh wire, which was all he said he needed since had other parts lying about, and at the end of the day I had a new trap and the beginning of a new phase of the war on rodents.

Day 1

Here it is.  The glorious new mousetrap.

My first thoughts on seeing this contraption were not very pleasant. How is this a trap? The rat will get in and then crawl right back out. There is no device to trap the rat. I was told not to worry because the rat would not dare crawl back out since the pointed edges on the metal tunnel bar his exit. He would end up hurting himself and so he would remain in the cage.

Well that's just fine and dandy but I didn't belive it nor was this scenario acceptable to me. I did not want to catch the rat alive. I did not want a pet. I wanted the creature dead and I did not want to have to kill it myself by drowning or stabbing. A rat stuck on a glue trap I could simply through away was the best scenario. There was no spring device to crush the fellow's neck and I did not have any poison to place in the cage. In fact you can't put anything in the cage because the bottom is mesh!

When they said mesh I thought for sure the screen would be the kind with tiny holes. Not big holes which the rat could easily chew through. Without placing a bowl or a solid surface in the cage I could not lay out any food. So I placed a small amount of food on a napkin. Rising early in the morning I went to have a look at the traps and I saw that the rat did not touch this food so I added a few more bits.

A few hours later there was nothing. No sign of the rat.  He did not take the bait.

Day 2

I did say concern for the dogs made poison not a great option but even though this is "Day 2" this is actually more like "Day 5 or 6." It is only "Day 2" in regards to this new iron trap. By this time the rat had caused a lot of trouble gnawing through the dog food container and leaving droppings everywhere and being at my wit's end I resolved upon poison as the final solution. 

I also resolved to keep using the ever faithful glue trap.  You can see from the picture below that one of these traps is very dirty.  That is a testament to its effectiveness.  How many mice I have pried from that trap I will never know. Too many. The hair and faeces stuck in the glue are all that remain of those small creatures. The rat liked to dig around in the garbage can which is why I have the can surrounded by the traps. If the steel cages don't work surely the glue trap will.

After setting up the glue trap I went to bed, leaving the administration of the poison to others. Confident in their abilities I took my repose hoping to happily lay my eyes upon the rat's dead corpse upon inspection early in the morning. But lo and behold I saw a much worse sight than I could have wished!

Somebody moved all my glue traps.  And they put cornflakes in the middle of each one! Cornflakes!! Now I did tell my helper that I wanted the trashcan out of the kitchen at night because the rat had been digging through it so it is understandable that perhaps my intentions as to the ring around the can were not clear. But who thought it proper to place food in the glue trap?  I never place food in the glue traps and I have caught countless rodents. Sometimes just a few minutes after placing the traps and turning out the lights!

But then my eyes turned to an even more horrible and stupider sight.

The rat ate the poisoned food and escaped!! Is this not what I surmised would happen upon seeing the trap for the first time? That there is nothing to keep the rat in the trap? That he could easily escape? This was totally unacceptable. Now somewhere there was a dead or dying rat. Likely in a hidden nook or cranny not easily accessed. The only way to know would be the inevitable stench emanating from a secret place. A search was undertaken in hopes that his corpse would be found.

Thankfully he did not go far.  Only into the drainage ditch. 

Day 3

The traps were sent back and returned modified.

The original entrance tunnels were sealed and a new entrance, propped open by a tiny piece of metal wire which the rat must necessarily trip thereby trapping him, was opened. The bottom was still not solid which meant placing bait was still a chore requiring extra tools like a tiny bowl or a piece of cardboard.  

Again the traps were set with poison and again I set out my glue traps with explicit instructions to not touch them and not to place any cornflakes on them. Again I went to sleep expectantly. Again I awoke to more tomfoolery.

Who put onion rings in the trap!? Does "don't put any cornflakes in the trap" mean it's ok to put anything else in the trap as long as it's not cornflakes?  I am sure I was very explicit and said "Do not touch the traps." There were ants all over the place on this trap because some of the onion rings were not sufficiently in the glue and away from the edge.  I had to kick it aside and kill all of them before I could start on anything else.  A complete waste of my time.

Neither of the traps with the poisoned food were touched but oddly enough the food was crawling with ants! Ants must be very hardy creatures to be impervious to zinc phosphide.

Aside from not touching the food there was also no other signs rats had been in the kitchen. No droppings scattered about or boxes chewed through. Absolutely no signs of rats.

The last few days have been absent of any rodent activity proving that the rats are dead and the war is over. For now.

Dog Stuffed Into Cramped Cage at Pet Shop

I was at a pet shop yesterday. In the Philippines pet shops are always dimly lit dingy dungeons selling fish swimming in yellow water you can barely see through the scum covered glass or mice and gerbils in filthy cages or, in this case, unkempt dogs in uncomfortable cages.

How cruel to keep this dog in a cage where he can't even stand up properly! Bending over like that is going to give him spinal trouble. Not all the dogs in this shop are in this condition. Some of them have rather large cages. But they are all unkempt.  The shih tzus looked particularly nasty and in need of a good grooming. Across the street out in the rain there were several other cages crammed with dogs barking and howling. What a disgrace!

Here is a video of this poor chihuahua. He was spinning around in circles but stopped as soon as I hit record. Too bad because then you could have seen how hunched over and cramped he really is.

The Sexiest Lady in The Philippines

Here she is.  The sexiest lady in all the Philippines.  Eat your heart out Pia Wurtzbach.