Martial Law: Reactionary

If there is one word to describe the government's activities during the last week of martial law for 2017 it would have to be "reactionary."

Reaction 1

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/27/1772288/duterte-curses-npa-over-attack-vs-militia-base-christmas

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/955486/army-accuses-npa-of-violating-holiday-truce-npa-ceasefire-military-holiday-truce

Why was there ever a ceasefire in the first place?  Does Duterte know the story of the woman who nursed an injured snake back to health and as she lay dying after it bit her she asks, "Why?", and the snake says, "Lady, you knew I was a snake."?

There should never have been a ceasefire. If it's true that

Their celebration is usually accompanied by armed attacks against the people that reflect their true color as a criminal organization void of any ideology

then the AFP and Duterte should know a ceasefire is a wholly useless gesture.


Reaction 2

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/637968/un-lsquo-massive-rsquo-rights-abuses-in-mindanao-could-intensify-under-martial-law/story/

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/163238/palace-2-un-execs-dont-embarrass-ph-roque-un-indigenous-people-palace

Let's face it, the Philippines has no use for the UN. Not even when the UN is in the Philippines' favour as in the SCS dispute with China will the Philippines show the least respect for the UN. So when the "UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples" issues a report that the rights of the Lumad people are at currently at risk and could face even more risk as a result of an extended martial law the Palace takes it as a great affront meant only to embarrass the administration and not the end result of a study of the situation of these people.

The Philippines needs no assistance in embarrassing itself in the international community. A bloody drug war, a corrupt government, terrorists, massive poverty and pollution, a high incidence of sex trafficking of children, the worst performing currency in Asia, the list could go on. The Philippines is an objectively terrible country on many levels which is undoubtedly why it is perceived that way. This brings us to:

Reaction 3

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/28/1772317/teo-misconception-philippines-challenge-tourism

Teo, a tour operator before joining government, said that among the factors affecting the number of tourist arrivals is “the perception that the Philippines is a center of natural calamities such as typhoons, flash floods and earthquakes.” 

Teo added that the Marawi crisis, which officially ended in October as the government shifts to rebuilding the battle-scarred capital of Lanao del Sur, and threats to peace and order, especially in the southern Philippines is also among the problems the tourism sector faces.

Misconceptions? The governments of several nations have issued travel warnings for the Philippines which are based on facts. Let's take a look at some of them.

USA

Recent terrorist threats, kidnappings, and bombings have occurred throughout the Philippines. U.S. Embassy Manila received credible information that terrorists planned to conduct kidnappings in Palawan, Cebu, and Bohol provinces in 2017. In November 2016, a terrorist group planted an Improvised Explosive Device near the U.S. Embassy in Metro Manila. In April and May 2017, bombings in Quiapo, Manila killed two and injured twenty.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/philippines-travel-warning.html

Canada

PHILIPPINES - Exercise a high degree of caution 

Exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines due to the threat of terrorism and the high level of crime.

https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/philippines

Here is a very detailed list of the security risks of travel to the Philippines compiled by the Canadian authorities.

https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/philippines#levels

UK

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in the Philippines, including in Manila. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and the intent to carry out attacks at any time and anywhere in the country, including in places visited by foreigners, like airports, shopping malls, public transport, including the metro system, and places of worship. You should remain vigilant at all times and report anything suspicious to the local authorities.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/philippines

Australia

There is a high threat of terrorist attack in the Philippines, including Manila. Exercise heightened caution at this time. Be alert to possible threats around locations that have a low level of protective security and places known to be possible terrorist targets. The level of our advice has not changed. Exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines overall. Higher levels apply in some parts of the country.

http://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/asia/south-east/Pages/philippines.aspx

It's not just Western countries which have issued travel warnings to the Philippines. China, Japan, Singapore and South Korea have also issued travel warnings. The reaction of the Department of Tourism?

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/04/17/teo-to-embassies-coordinate-with-ph-before-issuing-travel-advisories

Why is the Philippines so desperate to be a tourist hotspot but unwilling to do things which will secure tourists from harm?

Reaction 4

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/27/1772261/dutertes-martial-law-extension-challenged-sc

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/29/1772815/calida-solons-vs-martial-law-are-ignorant-protective-rebels

This reaction from Calida is a much more harsh and critical turn from his previous lighthearted statement to the opposition, "Good luck!"

"Anyone who says there is no ongoing rebellion in Mindanao is either ignorant of the factual situation there, or protective of the longest rebellion that has plagued our country," Calida said in a text message to reporters.

Calida is correct. There is an ongoing rebellion in Mindanao.

The Moro conflict is an insurgency in the Mindanao region of the Philippines.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_conflict

For more or less 500 years now there has been an ongoing rebellion in Mindanao. Is that reason enough to impose martial law? Calida seems to think so.

“The argument that this rebellion can be quelled in 60 days is asinine,” he said. 

While Marawi City was already liberated by the armed forces last October, Calida said there was still an “on-going” rebellion in Mindanao. 

“In fact, the rebellion staged by various secessionist, jihadist, terrorist and communist groups in various places in Mindanao has been festering for several decades now,” the solicitor general said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/956477/stopping-rebellion-in-60-days-thats-stupid-says-calida-jose-calida-solicitor-general-rebellion-lagman-martial-law

Calida and everyone else who supports a year long extension of martial law should welcome the challenge before the Supreme Court because whatever the decision a legal precedent will be set which will be a guiding course for the future.

Reaction 5

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/28/1772544/solons-question-inordinately-long-extension-martial-law

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/28/17/duterte-wont-allow-martial-law-in-perpetuity-palace-says

If the Supreme Court rules in favour of the extension there would be no reason not to have perpetual extensions until the rebellion is wiped out. Duterte has already failed to deliver on many of his promises so why should anyone believe this one?

This is the last week of martial law in 2017. It has now been two months since the liberation of Marawi.  Does anyone remember what Lorenzana said shortly after the end of the battle?

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/10/27/1753057/lorenzana-normalcy-marawi-2-months

Is this true? Has normalcy returned two months on?

https://www.rappler.com/nation/192574-marawi-afp-engineers-clearing-operations

With rhe city still not clear of IED's, with Marawi residents still living in shelters, with reconstruciotn to having begun, with a year long extension of martial law the answer is plain: No.

The First (Leaning Electrical) Post of the Year

Would ya look at that.

Wow!

How does it stay up under the weight of all those cables? And the wind? And the rain? 

Reminds me of that poem by José Rizal with the famous line:

O, what a tangled web of cords Pinoys weave,
When they first practice to harness electricity.

It's a miracle that this pole has not toppled over into the street.

It's the leaning tower of the Philippines!

Always leaning and on the verge of crashing right into traffic but never actually falling. This pole, which is on the corner of a very busy street, must be invisible because surely a passing politician or  concerned citizen or electrical worker would have alerted the electric company to this situation and the pole would have been replaced.

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.

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/171245-marawi-crisis-isis-plan-bautista

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

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/09/27/1743196/duterte-now-claims-arrest-warrant-vs-drug-lord-triggered-marawi-siege

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.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/07/27/1722033/dnd-admits-lack-intel-validation-marawi-siege

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!

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.

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?

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/954901/aguirre-christmas-wish-grace-forgiveness-holiday

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/954680/pnp-bato-dela-rosa-drug-war-victims-move-on-war-on-drugs

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.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/26/1771936/china-make-disputed-islands-bigger-using-magic-island-maker

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.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/27/1772245/duterte-reappoints-faeldon-office-civil-defense

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

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.

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?