Friday, May 31, 2019

Retards in the Government 104

It's your weekly compendium of foolishness and corruption and murder in Philippine politics.



A former official of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and his alleged cohort have been arrested for allegedly extorting money from firearms importers, authorities said Thursday. 
The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by proprietors, who accused the two suspects of purportedly demanding half a million pesos for the supposed release of shipments consigned to a firearms company that was being held at the Ninoy Aquino International Aiport (Naia).
THE Sandiganbayan granted the application for probation of a former city mayor in the province who was convicted for the dismissal of local government employees in 1998. 
“Upon perusal of the post-sentence investigation report, the court finds the recommendation for granting of the probation of Varela to be well-taken,” the Sandiganbayan in its decision, said. 
Varela was also required to report to his probation and parole officer at least twice a month and is not allowed to change his address without prior approval from the officer or court. 
He was directed to render community service and participate in tree-planting activities, secure employment, and refrain from associating with groups or persons with questionable character, among others. 
Varela was convicted by the Sandiganbayan for violating Republic Act 6656, which protects the security of tenure of civil service personnel, after firing 166 employees in 1998 as part of the reorganization of the city government.
A case which was finally resolved 20 years later. That's how slow the Sandiganbayan is.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/05/26/1921059/duterte-rape-jokes-bring-laughter-pma-grad-rites
A crowd that included the vice president, the Defense secretary, top military officials and diplomats laughed as President Rodrigo Duterte pretended to read out offenses by Philippine Military Academy cadets, which, according to the joke, included rape and multiple rape. 
The pardoning of offenses is a tradition at graduation rites of the PMA, but the rape jokes are a recent addition. The jokes have long stopped eliciting shock but, judging from the crowd's reaction, are still amusing. 
"The Number One is for rape, putang ina. Ang Number Two is drugs with rape with robbery. Para sa Muntinlupa ito. Pangatlo, multiple rape of the women of Baguio. The beautiful ones. Sino 'yan?" Duterte said as he pretended to read a list of cadet's offenses.
Muntinlupa is where the New Bilibid Prisons are found. 
The president said he would let the cadets off for now "because I need good and capable soldiers and I know that one or two is bound to happen, but I will forgive you."
How many rape jokes is that now?
https://www.rappler.com/nation/231573-funding-remains-idle-national-anti-poverty-commission-coa-report
The Commission on Audit (COA) found an unspent P49-million fund under the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), turned over by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) for livelihood and agricultural projects. 
In its 2018 audit report released last May 23, state auditors found that the fund has remained idle since it was transferred to NAPC in April 2017. 
Pagcor originally turned over P50 million, but only P969,479.50 was used. 
The money, under an agreement signed between NAPC and Pagcor, was supposed to fund several programs and projects, including education in Mindanao, agricultural facilities in Luzon and Mindanao, and coconut enterprise programs in the Visayas. 
These projects were supposed to be implemented throughout a two-year timetable that expired last April 4. 
But NAPC issued a memorandum stopping the disbursement, following instructions from Pagcor in December 2017 that the state-run gaming agency would conduct an audit of the funds.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is investigating an alleged money market scam after hundreds of police personnel lost their money to promises of big profits. 
Regional police officials told reporters Sunday that four from their ranks — Cpl. Rhodora Bombita, Cpl. Daisy Javierto, Lt.Col. Henry Biñas and Col. Raul Supiter — will testify against the operators of the controversial PlanProMatrix, or PPM. 
The four witnesses belong to the Police Regional Office-12 based in this city. 
"Surely this case will serve as a lesson to those who easily gets fooled with `too good to be true' earnings from pyramid money market schemes," a senior police official involved in the investigation said on Sunday. 
The PPM, which became known eventually as the Pulis Paluwagan Program after it hogged the news last month, has reportedly collected more than P500 million in investments from PRO-12 personnel.
P500 million! I doubt this will be a lesson to anyone to not get involved with pyramid scams. It's funny that PNP officers are so stupid to fall for them.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1123435/graft-raps-filed-vs-ex-siquijor-town-mayor
Graft charges have been filed against former Mayor Orville Fua of Lazi town, Siquijor province, six other officials and two private individuals for the alleged irregular purchase of fertilizers worth P4.9 million in 2004. 
Aside from Fua, the Office of the Ombudsman also charged municipal accountant Ana Marie Leilani Monte; municipal treasurer/bids and awards committee (BAC) member Rose Marie Tomogsoc; BAC chair Ivan Marchan; former municipal engineer Natalio Jumawan Jr.; former private secretary Sue Agnes Castillon; and former municipal coordinator Teodoro Jumadla.
Not just the mayor but quit a few city employees. Irregular purchases of fertiliser is very common.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s possible presidential run in 2022 could be a reason why her endorsement matters in the search for the next House Speaker. 
House minority leader Quezon 3rd District Rep. Danilo Suarez shared this belief when asked why he thought the endorsement of the presidential daughter mattered in the House speakership given that she was not even a member of Congress. 
“They’re looking at her as a possible contender in 2022,” Suarez said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Monday.
Pretty funny that this lady is exerting power she should not be exerting in the House. Even funnier in light of the change in Speakers last year and her adamant denial that she had any influence to do such a thing and her Father's "joke" that indeed she does wield such influence.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1123850/village-chairman-killed-public-safety-officer-injured-in-cagayan-shooting
A village chairman was killed while a public safety officer was injured in a shooting incident in Barangay Lallayug, Tuao West in Cagayan province, police said on Monday. 
The Cagayan police identified the fatality as Orlino Gannaban, 52, chairman in the said municipality, while the injured victim was identified as Espidio Zingabo. 
According to police, the victims were on board a motorcycle when a lone gunman suddenly appeared and opened fire at them on Sunday at around 3:30 p.m.
Motorcycle gunmen appearing out of nowhere and assassinating a small town politician. In the Philippines it's a tale as old as time.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1123851/coa-42-8-of-dnd-calamity-funds-for-personnel-unused
The Commission on Audit (COA) has called out the Department of National Defense (DND) for not utilizing P2.140 million in funds intended for its personnel affected by Supertyphoon Yolanda (internationally known as Haiyan) and the Bohol quake — both of which happened in 2013. 
According to an audit report dated May 20, 2019, the unused funds account for 48.26 percent of the whole financial aid. The DND only used 51.74 percent or P2.295 million
These unused funds have not been returned to the Office of the President (OP). 
“Funds intended for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda and the 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake were not fully utilized, only 51.74 percent or P2,295,000.00 were disbursed while the 48.26 percent or P2,140,000.00 remained unutilized and not returned to OP,” COA said. 
“The balance of P2,140,000..00 remained in the account of the DND for three years,” COA added.
Even under Duterte these funds have not been used correctly or returned to the treasury.
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/5/28/Pantaleon-Alvarez-vote-buying-House-Speaker.html
Reelected Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez claimed that two of his fellow contenders for the top post at the House of Representatives have supposedly thrown cash at lawmakers in a bid to secure votes. 
“Sinabi sa akin ng mga kasamahan ko, mayroong nag-offer ng ₱500,000 per congressman and then sinagot naman tig-₱1 million per congressman," Alvarez told CNN Philippines' The Source on Tuesday. 
[Translation: My colleagues told me that someone offered ₱500,000 per congressman, and then this was countered by another camp with ₱1 million per congressman.] 
Alvarez said lawmakers who accept the offer would immediately sign a manifestation of support. He said he has seen the manifestation, which already has around 100 signatures. 
"Nawawalan din ako ng gana dahil nga pagka ganyan, siyempre, obviously, mayroon talagang funder ‘yan, 'di ba dahil ang laking pera eh,” Alvarez said. 
[Translation: I’m also losing my appetite if there are things like that, because obviously, they have funders as they have huge amounts of money.]
He refused to identify who the lawmakers offering cash were.
With all the vote buying that does actually happen during election time these accusations are not unbelievable. It's a shame he refuses to name anyone.
The Department of National Defense has disowned the matrix being peddled by the Palace as a list of people involved in an ouster plot against President Rodrigo Duterte. 
“We did not have prior information about that. Hindi ko nga iyan nakita,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in an interview with GMA News Online's FYI segment with Richard Heydarian. 
Lorenzana said that an ouster plot cannot proceed without the military getting a whiff of it. 
“A destabilization plot needs recruitment of people from the military, police and local officials. Wala kaming nararamdamang ganito,” he said. 
“As for the information from the Palace, maybe they have some information on small groups. But as to a destabilization plot? You would need the military support for such to be credible. As such, we do not see any plot to overthrow the President,” Lorenzana added.
Now the DND is contradicting Duterte and his ouster matrix. Only fools ever believed it was real in the first place.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1124660/palace-backs-lorenzana-no-credible-ouster-plot-vs-duterte
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo maintained that were plots to unseat the President, but these were not credible because they did not have the support of the military. 
“Lorenzana said there is no credible plot because there is no support from the military and the police. So there is no inconsistency there,” he told reporters here. 
[The President said there was a plot. He did not say that there was military or PNP support. In other words, on the part of the DND secretary, it will not be realized because for a plot to be credible it will need military and police support.] 
[There’s no inconsistency. He didn’t there was no plot. What he said was it was not credible because it had no support. There’s no military and police support, but some people are planning. The President said there was a plot. So there’s no inconsistency.]
After maintaining that there was a credible ouster plot the Palace now reverses course! They simply cannot get their story straight and all of Panelo's wordplay only makes him look foolish. If there is no credible ouster plot then there is no plot and no reason to bare a list of names! Why did they not add this caveat about no PNP or AFP support last month? Why only now? Because the elections are over and it is time to let this story die a slow death and bury it.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/05/25/1920831/duterte-appoints-dismissed-manila-port-official-2-others-customs
President Rodrigo Duterte appointed three new deputy commissioners to the Bureau of Customs, including a former Manila International Container Port district collector who was dismissed following the reported smuggling of billions worth of shabu last year, documents released by Macañang showed. 
Based on appointment papers dated March 6 but were only released by the Palace on Saturday, Duterte appointed Vener Sia Baquiran, Raniel Ty Ramiro and Donato Belmonte San Juan to the BoC. 
To recall, former BOC chief Isidro Lapeña axed Baquiran in 2018 over two incidents of shabu smuggling that allegedly slipped past authorities last year. 
Baquiran reportedly headed the port district when the magnetic lifters with traces of shabu arrived on June 28 and July 11. 
In January, the National Bureau of Investigation filed criminal and administrative charges against Lapeña — whom Duterte has since reassigned to the Technical Education and Skills Development — and 50 others, including Baquiran, following the alleged drug shipment.
Whiff of corruption my butt!
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/05/28/1921591/japan-trip-could-be-reward-cabinet-after-admin-poll-victory
President Rodrigo Duterte's trip here may be a "reward" for cabinet officials because he was elated by the results of this year's midterm elections, the Philippines' envoy to Japan said Tuesday. 
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel V said the outcome of the polls, which saw eight of the 12 candidates endorsed by Duterte winning Senate seats, was an affirmation of the actions of his administration.  
"Ito'y pabuya sa nakaraang eleksyon (It's a reward for the elections). Why do you bring 20 Cabinet members here and local government or land reform? There is no land reform here. It's finished," Laurel told reporters here.  
"But I think the president is so elated with the results of the midterm elections, that this is an affirmation of what his administration does in the last three years. It's like a reward," he added.  
Malacañang on Tuesday afternoon clarified that the trip is not a reward for the government officials.

It might be that this is just another trip except it is his third to Japan and this time 200 people are going.
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/175640/200-delegates-to-join-duterte-in-3rd-japan-trip
 A 200-member delegation, 16 of which are Cabinet members, would accompany President Rodrigo Duterte in his third trip to Japan. 
Duterte would be attending Nikkei’s 25th International Conference on the Future of Asia here on May 30 to 31 and meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his four-day visit. 
“I heard its 200,” Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel V told reporters in a press briefing here Tuesday. 
Laurel said Duterte’s trip here would be shouldered by Nikkei, the organization that invited the President.
It really does not matter if Nikkei is footing the bill. 200 people, 16 cabinet members, are most certainly not needed for this trip. Almost certainly a reward but then again when was this trip planned? Likely weeks ago which makes it just another junket.


A total of 146 kilos of “shabu” (crystal meth) worth around P1 billion were seized inside a warehouse in Malabon City on Wednesday, authorities said Friday. 
Aquino said the PDEA, in coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), found the abandoned shipment in March. 
However, in hopes of finding and arresting the people behind the shipment, which are allegedly part of the Golden Triangle drug syndicate, the PDEA decided to auction off the “tapioca shipment.” 
This is in the hopes that members of the drug syndicate would participate in the auction, Aquino said. 
Coordinating with the BOC, the auction took place in April and a certain company called Goldwin Commercial Warehouse won the highest bid. 
However, Aquino said that upon conducting a background check on the owners of the company, the PDEA found no link between the company and illegal drug trade. 
The PDEA was not able to arrest any suspect behind the shipment of the illegal drugs. He said that whoever was behind the shipment could have opted not to join the bidding upon sensing it was a trap.
These people are totally idiots and dishonest about finding these drugs. Take it from former PNP Chief and now Senator Lacson.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1124666/lacson-hit-pdea-boc-for-dishonesty-in-drug-seizure-ops
Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday called out the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for ‘dishonesty’ in one of its recent drug seizure operations. 
He stressed that the shipment should not have auctioned the shipment. Instead, it should have been destroyed under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act or Republic Act No. 10863. 
“In this case, prohibited goods, including the shabu contained in 114 bags inside the aluminum pallets with tapioca starch, as provided in Section 1146 of this Act, should be destroyed, and therefore should not have been offered for sale in a public auction,” Lacson said in a privilege speech. 
The senator also took issue with authorities’ line of reasoning that it falls under a strategy called “controlled delivery.” He pointed out that the operation went completely different from the nature of “controlled delivery.” 
“Controlled delivery, my foot! What we know from experience and knowledge of the procedure in “controlled delivery” is that this investigative technique targets specific consignees under the supervision of authorized project officers basically for the purpose of gathering evidence against the person/s involved in smuggling-related offenses,” Lacson said. 
“Did Customs and PDEA officials really expect the owners of this shipment to actually participate in the said public auction knowing fully well that forfeited and seized commodities undergo 100% physical examination prior to disposition?” he added. 
Lacson also revealed that it was the winning bidder who reported that drugs were inside the shipment. 
Quoting a report from PDEA, Lacson said the shipment “[does] not contain any dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals.”
It was auctioned because the content was said to be “perishable by nature,” he added. “It does not take much to figure out the holes in the plot that some not-so-smart characters in these agencies tried to fabricate but failed miserably.” 
“Simply put, this is a case of dishonesty with the intention of misleading the public,” he added. 
The PDEA and the BOC both fooled the public in a bid to cover up their incompetence. How will the Philippines ever hope to win he drug war with such idiots at the helm? Perhaps the war is not meant to be won.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1124857/sotto-sees-problem-as-senate-newbies-seek-key-committees
Senators are banding together against plans by certain senators-elect to bump off the current chairs of key committees when the 18th Congress sits in July, a situation that Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday said was creating a “headache” in the chamber. 
Sotto also said Senator-elect Imee Marcos, the outgoing Ilocos Norte governor and daughter of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was likely to get the committees on ways and means and the local government, both headed by Sen. Sonny Angara. 
“Why should I give it up? I have already put so much work into it,” Gordon told reporters. “There’s the equity of the incumbent rule, right? If you’re a newcomer in Senate, unless the [current chair] lets go of the committee, then you can’t have it. There’s seniority.” 
Abandoning that rule in the 24-member chamber would only result in a “very unwieldy Senate,” the outspoken senator added. 
Poe said neophyte senators should abide by the existing rules that upheld seniority and experience in handling key committees. 
Poe hoped that the incoming senators would abide by the “equity of the incumbent” principle. 
“If the Senate President would be able to explain it to them, I hope this can be resolved and they will accept it,” she said.
The newbie Senators (Go, Bato, Tolentino, and Marcos) were all elected through not abiding by any rules except survival of the fittest. They did everything it took to get elected and Poe should not be so naive that they will not do what it takes to latch on to power immediately. Sen Drilion has harsh words about that.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/30/19/drilon-new-senators-must-learn-lawmaking-first-before-eyeing-major-committees
Drilon, a veteran lawmaker and currently the Senate minority leader, said “tradition and seniority” are always respected in the upper chamber of Congress 
He said tradition dictates that the more senior lawmakers get to retain committee chairmanships. 
 “Of course, as I've said, it's up to the majority whether or not they follow this tradition,” Drilon told reporters.
“But the incoming senators, maybe they should, as we say, learn the ropes first of how lawmaking in the Senate runs.” 
First time senators who were proclaimed in May include former national police chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, outgoing Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, former Presidential Political Adviser Francis Tolentino, and President Rodrigo Duterte's former aide Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go. 
Dela Rosa wants to lead the public order and dangerous drugs committee chaired by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who readily obliged, said Sotto. 
Marcos, on the other hand, is said to be eyeing the ways and means committee, currently chaired by reelected Sen. Sonny Angara.

Imee Marcos eyeing the Way and Means Committee is particularly troublesome.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/29/19/imee-marcos-wants-to-head-senate-tax-revenue-panel-sotto
The Senate ways and means committee is in charge of "all matters relating to revenue generally; taxes and fees; tariffs; loans and other sources and forms of revenue," according to law.  
However, Marcos herself is facing graft charges after the House of Representatives recommended that she be held accountable for alleged misuse of her province's tobacco excise taxes in July 2018.
Marcos wants to be in charge of collecting and disposing the nation's revenue and yet she has been charge with graft for misusing taxes in her own province during her term as Governor. It's not ironic. It's not funny. It's a real threat to the nation. And if you are expecting her to come clean about her education think again.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1124907/imee-marcos-on-her-education-background-what-i-am-apologizing-for
For Senator-elect Imee Marcos, she has nothing to say sorry for supposedly making a mistake about her educational background. 
“What am I apologizing for? I’m still getting alumni letters and I keep receiving all these invites,” Marcos said over ABS CBN News Channel on Thursday when asked if she would issue an apology  to schools like the Princeton University. 
“I’m confused what I’m supposed to apologize about,” she said, “We’re always supposed to apologize about martial law, about my father. I think it’s important that you give us a chance and finally, put aside all these issues…” 
Marcos earlier claimed that she has a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a law degree from the University of the Philippines (UP) but the two universities have denied it.
Everyone knows she has lied about receiving a degree from Princeton. She is right in that she has nothing to apologise for as she has been very consistent in her lies. It is the voters who should apologise.

The corrupt practices in the local government of San Juan City may have been covered up by the 50-year leadership of the Estradas, according to Mayor-elect Francis Zamora. 
He bared that the two political families had been close allies since 1978 but a decision of the Estradas in 2015 caused the rift between them.
There is too much political intrigue between clans in this article. Read both of those sentences and then realise that Zamora will be just as corrupt as the Estradas! HAHAHA!!!
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/696128/pnp-8-killed-in-51-post-election-violent-incidents/story/
Banac said 21 cases have been solved while 22 others are still being probed by authorities.
Oh wow so at least half have been solved. That's good right?
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1124799/ano-warns-pols-who-may-be-behind-killing-of-village-officials
In a text message to INQUIRER.net, Año said he had already sent a “stern warning” to previous election candidates, especially those who won, “to stop any sinister plans.” 
“In the recent incidents following the election, politicians seemed to be connected [to] or [are] orchestrating these violent incidents in their areas because of political motives,” he said. 
Año said he had already directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to form special investigation task groups to solve the killings. 
In an earlier interview, the Año said he would look intently into the incidents that happened even after the officials had already been proclaimed. 
“I am calling on the elected officials: Be responsible. If you are behind those killings, we will go after you. Tapos na itong eleksyon. Eh bakit kailangan pa na may mga mamamatay?” said Año. 
[The elections are over. Why do people have to die?]

He is basically admitting he knows who the killers are. Why are they still on the streets, still in office!?
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/696135/six-years-after-yolanda-ocd-yet-to-use-up-p135m-in-donations-for-victims-coa/story/
Six years after Yolanda hit the Visayas, the Office of Civil Defense has yet to spend all of the P135.39 million it received from donors for the victims of the strongest typhoon in history. 
The COA said P40.98 million remained out of the total donations but was expected to increase to P46.67 million due to gains on foreign exchange revaluation. 
A total of P94.4 million, on the other hand, went to the victims' assistance. 
"OCD did not receive any fund for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda from [Department of Budget and Management] and other national government agencies but received donation s from both local and foreign sources," it said.
Three of those years has been under Duterte's watch. But Aquino will still be blamed.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1124834/duterte-meets-3-bets-for-house-speaker-in-tokyo
President Rodrigo Duterte met here on Wednesday with three lawmakers seeking the House speakership. 
The President met with Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, incoming Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and incoming Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano. 
Photos shared by Senator-elect Christopher “Bong” Go showed the three smiling as they posed with the President. 
Velasco has said that his advantage to his competitors for the House speakership race was him being a “loyal friend” of the President.
Three questions. One for each man:

 1. Why are these people in Japan?
2. Are they part of the 200 member delegation or did they fly in at their own expense just to meet Duterte?
3. Doesn't seeking the favour of Duterte mean the House is now not an independent body!?

 You know what? To hell with this government!
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Thursday, May 30, 2019

Construction at the Veterinary Clinic

This post is a continuation and update of two previous posts. It fits right in with the post about unsanitary veterinarian clinic practices and happened the same day I took a stray dog to the vet as chronicled in the post about dog cruelty.

To get right to the point there was on-going construction in one of the rooms housing dogs.


Clearly you can see they did not remove all the dogs from the room before they started work on the ceiling. The cage in the foreground has an open top so there is nothing to protect the dog from falling debris. One of the cages is even being used as a table to place materials and tools. 

In these pictures you can see more of the work being done.




These men are installing a new ceiling. New wooden panels. Once installed they are painting them with a roller which means paint is being flecked about as the roller moves. I have done this kind of work and know that flecks of paint will inevitably get all over the place yet there are no tarps covering the animal cages left in the room. You cannot see in the picture but there are a few cages sitting outside in the back. Why not move the rest outside or move the remaining cages to one side and work that half of the room and then shuffle them back to finish what remains?

Construction, even this kind of light construction, always has hazards. I have helped install drop ceilings and painted ceilings before and it is a fact that debris and paint will fall all over the floor. It cannot be helped. Perhaps the amount of falling debris and paint might be small and non-lethal but that is completely beside the point. Those falling hazards are dangerous for these dogs. Especially the dog who's cage has an open top. Who knows what will happen? That is why safety measures are taken on all construction sites. But not in the Philippines. In the Philippines safety consistently takes a back seat.
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Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Fixing Jeepney Brakes in the Middle of Road

I will never understand jeepney drivers who break down in the middle of the road and rather than push the car to the curb attempt to fix it right then and there. Look at this idiot inconveniencing everyone and causing traffic jam at an intersection no less.  An intersection!



How about instead of taking off that tire and beginning repairs he and his woman pushed that jeepney into the gas station that is literally right there? It's not like he is trying to jumpstart the battery or reconnect a few frayed wires either. No, no, no.  He is doing a brake job!  A brake job in the middle of the road at an intersection! 


When I drove by an hour later he had ceased all work but the jeepney was still there in the middle of the road. What a jerk.
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Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Martial Law: Resentment Growing

Two years on from the beginning of the Marawi Siege and the imposition of martial law across Mindanao and what is the result? How have the people of Marawi and Mindanao fared? 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1122748/marawi-2-years-later-tears-still-flowing-resentment-growing
Marawi remains in ruins and experts are warning that the stalled reconstruction efforts are bolstering the appeal of extremist groups in the country’s south. 
The delays have left about 100,000 residents in squalid relocation camps or sharing homes with relatives, feeding simmering anger among the displaced and providing a recruiting tool for extremists. 
“The narratives (to join IS) used to be about the Middle East and the plight of Muslims around the world,” said Mouhammad Sharief, who cofounded a support group for Marawi’s youth. 
“Now it’s closer to our hearts because the narrative is Marawi,” said 32-year-old Sharief, who was himself displaced by the fighting.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/05/23/1920262/shattered-marawi-tool-jihadist-recruitment
Two years after the Philippine city of Marawi was overrun by jihadists it remains in ruins, with experts warning that stalled reconstruction efforts are bolstering the appeal of extremist groups in the volatile region. 
Marawi is symbolically important because it is the Muslim capital of the nation's south, which has been locked in a cycle of poverty and extremism as separatist insurgencies have raged for decades.


"The government needs to be concerned about the threats of ISIS attracting young (locals) because of the ongoing resentment from the failure to rebuild and general anger over the destruction," analyst Sidney Jones told AFP. 
The clearing of debris, the first step before the actual construction, also hit a snag due to legal problems and the government hopes it will finally be finished in November. 
"This will be used as an example again of government discrimination against Muslims and the government neglect for the responsibility of rebuilding Marawi," said Francisco Lara, an adviser with peace group International Alert.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/231328-frustrated-marawi-evacuees-still-cannot-go-home-two-years-since-siege
On Thursday, May 23, it will be two years since the bloody siege that killed more than a thousand civilians and troops. About 75% of Marawi residents have since returned to their homes, but at least 50,000 who lived in the main battleground remain displaced. 
“The rehabilitation has been very slow,” said Drieza Lininding, chairperson of the Bangsamoro Consensus Group.  
Residents have long begged the government to let them return and rebuild their homes themselves. But the military has yet to clear the area from unexploded ordnance, including 500-pound bombers dropped by the FA-50 fighter trainer jets of the Philippine Air Force. 
Many displaced residents were provided temporary shelters, but others still live in tents.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation chief Martin Thalmann said displaced residents are now “tired and frustrated” despite “numerous aid efforts that have truly helped those in need over the two years.”  
While the government claims to be doing its best, time is taking its toll on Marawi residents. 
“They want to stand on their own feet again and stop depending on assistance,” Thalmann said.
The people of Marawi have not fared well. Many are still living in tents and are frustrated over the government's inability to rebuild the city. The ruins beckon to would-be jihadis as proof that the government is not to be trusted and that the struggle must continue. Warnings about the destroyed city of Marawi being a tool for ISIS recruitment have long been circulating amongst analysts but they have apparently gone unheeded or else the government would not be taking their sweet time to rebuild.

From excluding Maranos in planning the new city and bringing in the Chinese to do it to the impossibly slow process of cleaning up debris and unexploded ordnance to Duterte calling Marawi a drug den and saying he doesn't think he should spend a lot of money to rebuild it the government has not been inspiring at all. The Duterte administration has been the exact opposite especially with excluding Maranos from any part in planning the rebuilding of the city. However let's not forget the fact that the Maranos admitted to Presidential Peace Adviser Dureza that they knew about the stockpiling of weapons but told no one because they thought as Muslims they would be spared. Now they are crying in anguish and it's really themselves they have to blame.

As for the rest of Mindanao, well the AFP thinks everything is peachy.
http://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2019/05/23/army-hails-martial-law-as-it-enters-3rd-year-today/
Martial Law in Mindanao will enter its third year today and a 10th Infantry Division officer credited the heightened security for the reported dwindling force of the New People’s Army. 
Capt. Jerry Lamosao, the Public Affairs Office chief of the 10th ID, told reporters in yesterday’s AFP-PNP press conference held at Royal Mandaya Hotel, that they recorded no abuses committed by state forces while under martial rule. 
“If there are some who will contest that then please submit your interviews and evidence,” he said, although he acknowledged that “maybe some are just afraid” to report. 
Nevertheless, he said Martial Law was implemented mainly to prevent a repeat of the Marawi siege and to go against terrorist groups in Mindanao. 
However, the military is adopting the same security playbook to address other threats, such as the NPA. 
“With the two years now of the implementation, we have seen that it helped in preventing the terroristic plan of the CPP-NPA-NDF,” he added.
Overlooking the grossly erroneous headline, it has only been 2 not 3 years, we learn that martial law has been effective in weakening the NPA. Of course combatting the NPA is not at all the reason martial law was imposed but who cares? In fact there is nothing in this article about marital law stopping ISIS or any of the various Islamic terror groups. The focus is on defeating the NPA. From that I would surmise martial law will be extended through 2020 and beyond until the NPA as well as the other groups are all defeated.  One wonders why martial law was not imposed until 2017 if it is such a great and appropriate tool in defeating the insurgency. If the current conditions in Mindanao, which are effectively the same as before the siege, render martial law constitutional then why was it not declared beforehand?

Despite the information I posted last week about ISIS remaining a threat, even citing US military reports and reports of foreigners making their way to Mindanao to fight, the AFP continues to downplay the situation. Even more AFP top brass are misrepresenting the threat to the public.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/231374-isis-threat-marawi-now-low-military-keeps-eye-remnants
“The threat posed by Maute-ISIS has gone very low after the death of Abu Dar, the last remaining leader of the group,” said Colonel Romeo Brawner, commander of the Marawi-based 103rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army.  
Brawner said 160 former Maute Group fighters have surrendered with their firearms. 
But the military is keeping its eye on a small band of remnants. There’s less than 30, according to Brawner.  
“Continuous vigilance should be maintained to preempt possible retaliatory attacks by the remnants or supporters of the group,” said Dela Vega.  
Dela Vega said martial law and sustained military operations have allowed the military to “contain” the threats. 
“Likewise with the establishment of the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), other possible source of threat was greatly reduced as most of the PAG (private armed groups) adheres to the peace process,” Dela Vega said.
Less than 30?  Is that only Maute remnants he is counting? It has to be because the US military has very different figures. Figures which come from AFP sources. Let's take a look at the latest report from Operation Eagle. This will cover the first quarter of 2019 January - March.

Here is an overview of the total report:
https://media.defense.gov/2019/May/22/2002134756/-1/-1/1/LIG_OFS_OVERVIEW.PDF
The full report can be read here. What follows is form the section about ISIS.
USINDOPACOM reported that as of this quarter, ISIS-Core has not recognized an “emir” of the Philippines since Isnilon Hapilon was killed by the AFP in October 2017. Since then, the group has been without a single leader and remained fragmented among approximately five major factions: the ASG, the Maute Group, Ansar al Khalifa, and two factions of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. 
USINDOPACOM estimated ISIS-P’s total numbers at approximately 300 to 550, the same as last quarter. This was roughly consistent with an assessment released by the AFP this quarter that estimated ISIS-P’s strength at 574 members. According to USINDOPACOM, ISIS-P factions continued to operate in their same historic areas of in uence with no significant territory gained or lost this quarter. USINDOPACOM stated that the ASG faction of ISIS-P in the Sulu Archipelago remained the strongest, as evidenced by the cathedral bombing. USINDOPACOM added that clan and family members continued to support ISIS-P factions, regardless of whether or not they genuinely support ISIS ideology. 
USINDOPACOM reported that it had no information by which to assess the success or extent of ISIS-P’s recruitment efforts this quarter, although it believed the group was actively trying to recruit new members. USINDOPACOM stated that one indicator of recruitment success would be larger numbers of ghters engaged in clashes with the PSF, and this quarter’s encounters involved relatively small groups of terrorists. However, the lack of change in the estimates of ISIS-P membership from quarter to quarter suggested that recruitment was at least keeping pace with deaths and surrenders. USINDOPACOM reported no changes in ISIS-P’s capabilities this quarter and did not expect ISIS-P to evolve into a more capable organization in the near future. Additionally, there were no change sreported in ISIS-P’s tactics. The most significant attack of the quarter on the cathedral was consistent with Philippine jihadist activity in the recent past. 
Let's read that bolded section again:
USINDOPACOM estimated ISIS-P’s total numbers at approximately 300 to 550, the same as last quarter. This was roughly consistent with an assessment released by the AFP this quarter that estimated ISIS-P’s strength at 574 members.
Now let's compare that with the statement of Col Brawner.
“The threat posed by Maute-ISIS has gone very low after the death of Abu Dar, the last remaining leader of the group,” said Colonel Romeo Brawner, commander of the Marawi-based 103rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army.  
Brawner said 160 former Maute Group fighters have surrendered with their firearms. 
But the military is keeping its eye on a small band of remnants. There’s less than 30, according to Brawner.  
Why is Col. Brawner wilfully misrepresenting the strength of ISIS in the Philippines? The report from OPE-P cites the AFP as estimating ISIS members at 574. Why would he only focus on Maute and neglect the overall picture and AFP stats? Did he forget that the original emir of ISIS Philippines was Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon? Why would Brawner act as if the other groups do not matter? As the report says there are five major factions of ISIS allied factions.

The report goes on to say that ISIS-P numbers remain static. There is also no single leader or officially recognised emir. USINDOPACOM assess that ISIS-P remains weakened for the foreseeable future and also lacks the type of financing they once had. Foreign fighters are present but they number less than 10. Basically ISIS-P is in a holding pattern trying to regain strength but that does not mean the threat is diminished.

Two years on from the Marwai siege not a lot has changed. The city of Marawi is still in ruins, people are still displaced, ISIS ideology has not broken its hold over segments of the population, and the terrorist threat remains high. The bombing of the cathedral in Jolo as well as the continual skirmishes are evidence enough of the threat. And of course aside from the Islamic threat the NPA is still in business.

What will Mindanao look like in two more years?
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