Philippine politics and economics

[WestCoast1]

Personally I would volunteer to fly the straight-wing A-10, which I can get low and slow to see the dumb faces of the bastards before I blow them to bits.

Can anyone out there tell the point of this post?

No. Rambling. Dark. Worse even than some of mine. CS, you're waiting for WWIII? And I was feeling bad enough about DT being 'our guy'.

[Chocha Monger]

Duterte created a stir among pro-condom advocates when he promoted bareback, saying that condoms are not pleasurable.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/duterte-...17-p4z0p0.html

[Red Kilt]

Some of the economic nerds on ISG might find this source of data rich for analysis.

https://www.adb.org/sites/default/fi...357006/phi.pdf

[GoodEnough]

For anyone who might be interested, here's a copy of the latest travel warning for the Philippines from the US Embassy:

The Department of State warns USA Citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to the city of Marawi, Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago including the southern Sulu Sea, and to exercise extreme caution when traveling to other regions of Mindanao, due to terrorist threats, insurgent activities, and kidnappings. Similar threats also occurred throughout the Philippines in 2017. This replaces the Travel Warning dated December 20,2016.

There is a threat of kidnappings-for-ransom of foreigners, including USA Citizens, from terrorist and insurgent groups based in the Sulu Archipelago and in the southern Sulu Sea area. This area stretches from the southern tip of Palawan, along the coast of eastern Sabah, Malaysia and the islands of the Sulu Archipelago, up to Zamboanga City, Mindanao. The USA Embassy requires USA Government personnel to obtain special authorization before traveling to Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.

Separatist and terrorist groups continue to attack and kidnap civilians, foreigners, political leaders, and Philippine security forces in Mindanao. On May 23,2017, the Philippine government declared martial law throughout the Mindanao region. Review the following information:

In September 2016, a terrorist group detonated a bomb in Davao City, killing 14 and wounding at least 70 people. Following the attack, the Philippine government declared a "State of National Emergency on Account of Lawless Violence in Mindanao. ".

In May 2017, an ongoing conflict erupted between terrorist groups and Philippine security forces in Marawi City, Mindanao, resulting in multiple dead and injured.

In central Mindanao, extremist groups aligned with the Islamic State, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and other armed groups have carried out attacks on local government institutions, civilians, and security forces in the Cotabato City area, and in the Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat provinces, where the government maintains a state of emergency and a greater police presence.

In Mindanao, terrorists, insurgents, and criminal gangs regularly conduct kidnappings for ransom. Since January 2017, at least six separate kidnappings have been reported.

In western Mindanao, terrorists, insurgents, and criminal gangs regularly conduct kidnappings for ransom.

The USA Embassy has restricted USA Government personnel travel to Mindanao.

There have been no reports of USA Citizens in Mindanao targeted specifically for their nationality; however, general threats to USA Citizens and other foreigners throughout Mindanao remain a concern.

Recent terrorist threats, kidnappings, and bombings have occurred throughout the Philippines. USA 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 USA Embassy in Metro Manila. In April and May 2017, bombings in Quiapo, Manila killed two and injured twenty.

For further information:

See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Philippines Country Specific Information.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Contact the USA Embassy in Manila, Philippines, located at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, at +(63) (2) 301-2000, from 7:30 am To 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. After-hours emergency number for USA Citizens is +(63) (2) 301-2000.

Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 am To 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except USA Federal holidays).

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[Omega 3]

Interesting articles recently by each of Rigoberto Tiglao, Sass Rogando Sasot, and RJ Nieto (aka Thinking Pinoy) about the Philippine news website, Rappler.

In a nutshell, in the words of Tiglao, "How can we not be in outrage against a news outfit funded hugely by foreigners (in violation of the Philippine Constitution) that spreads lies about our country"?

OM.

[Wicked Roger]

WR is right on point.

I think that the most recent prior claim to fame by Senator Antonio Trillanes was his attempted "coup" in 2007. That was his second attempted coup which ended in complete failure (other than to gain notoriety and PR, which probably enabled him to get elected to the Senate in the first place). Reportedly, the 2007 "coup" lasted about 3 hours, while Trillanes was holed up in the Makati Peninsula hotel (obviously, at great personal hardship). The "coup" collapsed ignominiously and abruptly when a Philippine Army APC showed up.

Honest, I'm not making this up!

OM.

Another of the coup soldiers is also a senator who has filed (and failed) in an impeachment complaint against D30 and also filed similar with the ICC in the Hague. I think he is a party of one but is with Trillianes in hating this administration.

Intersting spot on the Hardtalk interview when Sakur asked Trillianes if he supported D30 in dealing with drugs etc given the guy was elected on that mandate and had a 75% approval rating. Trillanes squirmed and tried to slide out of that question which my friends noticed (said to me "unpatriotic" and that it showed he just wanted the LP back at any costs).

Politics anywhere is a dirty game just more open in the Philippines LOL.

[Omega 3]

Friends (pinoys) all found it highly amusing and said proved a point that he had no clue.

The Daily Tribune said he showed he was not in tune with the public and a D30 news page thanks the BBC for its in depth research etc as Sakur did have facts to hand to challenge him.

https://www.facebook.com/DuterteFSup...WSFEED&fref=nf

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/...h-public-pulse

As for mainstream media in the Philippines I did not read anything but as others have pointed out those outlets are generally anti D30 and the President himself did say he would sue the Inquirer (I think) for taking cash for an advet it did not run etc. Politics and the media worldwide is a messy business.

WR is right on point.

I think that the most recent prior claim to fame by Senator Antonio Trillanes was his attempted "coup" in 2007. That was his second attempted coup which ended in complete failure (other than to gain notoriety and PR, which probably enabled him to get elected to the Senate in the first place). Reportedly, the 2007 "coup" lasted about 3 hours, while Trillanes was holed up in the Makati Peninsula hotel (obviously, at great personal hardship). The "coup" collapsed ignominiously and abruptly when a Philippine Army APC showed up.

Honest, I'm not making this up!

OM.

[Wicked Roger]

On the topic of BBC's HARDTalk, has anybody watched Stephen Sackur's interview with Sen. Trillanes? Apart from Sackur's expression at somewhere around 7 minutes, what was interesting was that at the close of the programme he referred to Antonio Trillanes and not Senator. Normally, I would expect howls of protest from certain quarters of the media at how he had been disrespected, but checking the online coverage of both Inquirer and Post? - zip. The Manila Times does have an opinion piece on it, slating Trillanes performance.

Does anybody on the ground have any more info on the media response?

Friends (pinoys) all found it highly amusing and said proved a point that he had no clue.

The Daily Tribune said he showed he was not in tune with the public and a D30 news page thanks the BBC for its in depth research etc as Sakur did have facts to hand to challenge him.

https://www.facebook.com/DuterteFSup...WSFEED&fref=nf

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/...h-public-pulse

As for mainstream media in the Philippines I did not read anything but as others have pointed out those outlets are generally anti D30 and the President himself did say he would sue the Inquirer (I think) for taking cash for an advet it did not run etc. Politics and the media worldwide is a messy business.

[Shining Wit]

I don't think this is very recent, but it's an interesting video by thee BBC on the conflict between economic growth and unchecked population growth. It's worth the 25 minutes or so it takes to view. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A0XUQa55OhI&feature=share.

GE.

On the topic of BBC's HARDTalk, has anybody watched Stephen Sackur's interview with Sen. Trillanes? Apart from Sackur's expression at somewhere around 7 minutes, what was interesting was that at the close of the programme he referred to Antonio Trillanes and not Senator. Normally, I would expect howls of protest from certain quarters of the media at how he had been disrespected, but checking the online coverage of both Inquirer and Post? - zip. The Manila Times does have an opinion piece on it, slating Trillanes performance.

Does anybody on the ground have any more info on the media response?

[GoodEnough]

I don't think this is very recent, but it's an interesting video by thee BBC on the conflict between economic growth and unchecked population growth. It's worth the 25 minutes or so it takes to view. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A0XUQa55OhI&feature=share.

GE.

[Chocha Monger]

Video of the recent NPA rebel raid on the Maasin municipal police station in Iloilo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRNJjal4s7A

It seems that the NPA is taking the opportunity carry out operations in other areas while the AFP is busy trying to put down ISIS in Marawi. This may mean insurgent activity in previously quiet areas. Mongers living in or visiting these areas should take note that local security conditions can change suddenly without warning.

http://pinoytrendingnews.net/look-ac...lo-goes-viral/

[Chocha Monger]

Suspected members of the communist New People's Army (NPA) raided Sunday, June 18, the municipal police station of Maasin in Iloilo province. Chief Inspector Aaron Palomo, public information officer (PIO) of Philippine National Police Iloilo Provincial Office, said 50 to 70 armed men swooped down on the station at about 11 am Sunday. No one was hurt in the incident, but the rebels carted away four Glock pistols and nine Armalite rifles, Palomo said in a telephone interview.

In a tweet, the Communist Party of the Philippines information bureau said NPA-Panay took M16 rifles and four pistols during the raid, which was carried out at 10:30 am Sunday. Palomo said the rebels also took the patrol car, but later abandoned this in the neighboring town of Alimodian. "We have recovered the patrol car as well as the truck used by the rebels. Follow-up operations are ongoing," Palomo said. Prior to the raid, two suspected rebels went inside the station to supposedly have an incident recorded in the police blotter. While the duty officer was interviewing them, a truck full of armed men arrived at the station and the two rebels inside announced a raid. By then, the rebels have blocked major roads leading to the station. "It happened fast. They announced a raid, handcuffed our men, took their firearms and left. No one was injured," Palomo said, adding that five policemen were in the station at that time.

Maasin is a fourth-class town situated about 28 kilometers west of Iloilo City, the capital of Iloilo province. Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog placed the entire city on Sunday in full alert status as a precautionary measure shortly after the NPA raid in Maasin. "All barangay captains and barangay officials together with their barangay tanods and CVOs (civilian volunteer organizations) shall strictly monitor their respective barangays and report any suspicious movement that may compromise the peace and order situation of the city," Mabilog stated in a post on his official Facebook page. The barangays were also instructed to "collaborate with their respective district police stations in the maintenance of peace and order. " Mabilog asked the public to remain calm, but vigilant.

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/loc...station-548108.

[Sam 14]

I, in my dotage, am cynical enough to believe that the endless immersion of the US in unwinnable wars may be explained by the same sort of heuristic: there's too much money to be made by politicians and arms manufacturers and the cash flow would diminish if peace were to break out.
GE.

Ya. And according to this reporter, a ridiculous amount of tonnage is supplied by the United States directly to the terrorists and the country most involved in exporting the extreme ideology it claims it's trying to irradiate. https://consortiumnews.com/2017/06/2...ists-in-syria/.

[PolyOrchid]

there's too much money to be made by politicians and arms manufacturers and the cash flow would diminish if peace were to break out. Young men fight and die so that old men can reap enormous financial rewards.

GE.

Not too far off, I reckon, GE. Already the American press is teeing up the "strong potential" for US to engage Iran in armed conflict. It's never-ending. War is big business, and it's financially addictive to the scumbags who legislate it. Someone said "old men make wars; young men fight them."

I remember being physically assaulted when coming out of my little country town Catholic church by an upstanding church member because I'd declared and been granted a deferment as a conscientious objector in 1969. How dare I not want to go and kill those godless commies in Vietnam. I also remember some of my high school mates going to war and not even knowing where Vietnam was on a map. But they valiantly went to defend the homeland.

No wonder so many of us have no desire to live in the Excited States anymore.

[GoodEnough]

Understood. But even very well trained, highly professional militaries with overwhelming conventional fire power such as America's and Israel's are constrained by political leaders' concern over public sentiment and international opinion. Surely both militaries could wipe insurgents off the planet if the battle space was declared a free-fire zone.

It seems to me Beijing has the better strategy. It can behave egregiously with some outside criticism, and once in a while toss a bone to the international community, for example the Paris Climate Accord, which doesn't require China to do anything until 2030, and be lauded. (China will simply move its most polluting factories to less developed countries that have a longer period to comply. It's a shell game, IMO.) Even America at its worst is a better partner than China at its best. Just its adherence to the rule of law vice the rule by law makes it so. Trump gets a lot a criticism, justly so, yet in no way is he as powerful as Xi and Kim Jong Un. The rule of law constrains him.

I've digressed.

You haven't digressed, and you've made your point rather eloquently, and I cannot disagree, that some countries (probably all of the west) are held to a higher set of moral expectations than others. And it's also true that any American President does not wield the same almost unlimited power of Xi or the North Korean dictator, as he's circumscribed by the law and its institutions. However, I don't believe that the problem here is that the US would cut off, or threaten to cut off munitions. Duterte, who has taken a very strident, public stance on rebalancing his foreign policy and distancing himself from US influence, wants his military to be seen as doing this on its own. Thus, he pretended to be surprised that US special forces were somehow involved in logistical support of his troops. The problem is, as I've said in a prior post, that the AFP isn't capable of doing it on its own, and there's a lot of informed speculation that those who benefit most directly from the ongoing conflicts on both sides, don't want to see them ended. I, in my dotage, am cynical enough to believe that the endless immersion of the US in unwinnable wars may be explained by the same sort of heuristic: there's too much money to be made by politicians and arms manufacturers and the cash flow would diminish if peace were to break out. Young men fight and die so that old men can reap enormous financial rewards.

GE.