Philippine politics and economics

[On The Road]

Thanks for the advices, BTW. I'm not concerned about the normal dangers in the Philippines, I'm able to manage them. The RWM massacre in Manila is a one time tragedy nothing to be really scared off, this can happens anywhere in the world (all right, M4 rifles are not so easy to find in Europe, but you can't tell).

I use to go anywhere with jeepneys, local bus, trikes, ferries, motorbikes and so on. I'm well aware of the risks and I can manage it.

What I don't know if I will have to manage is the risk related to terrorism. If I walk night time on the Rizal Boulevard in Dgte with a young pinay, and a boat with some thugs running away from Marawi just land there.

But thanks again, I think I'll take the risk. Less tourists means more pussy available this period, I guess.

[FreebieFan]

A raid on the Western Visayan island of Palawan by Abu Sayyaf terrorists in 2001 resulted in the abduction of 22 hostages. 5 were subsequently killed including 2 Americans. One of the assailants had the unlikely name of Alzheimer Limbong. Where the flip do their parents get these names and why haven't they researched them more thoroughly. I once had a Filipina fuckmate name Honeybee! OK Honeybee as a name maybe. But who would name their kid Alzheimer?

BTW GE, I have a hint for you. Memory loss may be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease. (just teasing you).

Worked in Africa / China and a few other places where kids get to make up the names that they want to be used by. So I've worked with Pencil, Neuron, Smurfie, Atomic, Targaryon, Swaziland, Fanboy and a whole host of others. I think the HR department once refused to make a file for Horny Mzambo and I know that the name Syphilis was also rejected by another HR department. Somehow they didn't thnik it would look good on a name tag.

Names can be ver illogical. How about hte gal who was recently arrested in US for espionage. Reality Winner? And could LuzVisMinda ever become YorLanCum. (the Brits may get that).

[Omega 3]

In fairness to the Filipinos, how often do mass shootings by those who aren't Muslim radicals happen? When I read the above I first thought of another country, one that's much more advanced in many, many ways and also has an easy path to gun ownership, experiencing mass shootings several times a month. That has to be a few dozen a year, right? Anyway, I didn't want to unfairly besmirch a country, so I checked and found that my initial thoughts were wrong. Ooops.

With 372 mass shootings (4 or more people killed or wounded, excluding the shooter(s)) in 2015 and 384 in 2016 that averages to slightly more than one per day.

http://www.shootingtracker.com/Main_Page

Good point, Huts.

And that's not even counting the GOP baseball team.

Another interesting statistic is annual automobile fatalities, which far outstrip annual deaths from shootings, at least in the US. Take away the guns, and you still have easy access to automobiles (or vans or trucks) which we have seen can be far more lethal than handguns or rifles.

Am I the only one who feels that the world has become a big loony bin?

OM.

[Hutsori]

On the other hand, the World Resorts Casino Massacre shows just how volatile Filipinos can be without religious radicalization. An emotional Filipino gambler with access to an M4 carbine returned to the casino to even the odds after previous gambling losses.

In fairness to the Filipinos, how often do mass shootings by those who aren't Muslim radicals happen? When I read the above I first thought of another country, one that's much more advanced in many, many ways and also has an easy path to gun ownership, experiencing mass shootings several times a month. That has to be a few dozen a year, right? Anyway, I didn't want to unfairly besmirch a country, so I checked and found that my initial thoughts were wrong. Ooops.

With 372 mass shootings (4 or more people killed or wounded, excluding the shooter(s)) in 2015 and 384 in 2016 that averages to slightly more than one per day.

http://www.shootingtracker.com/Main_Page

[Omega 3]

A raid on the Western Visayan island of Palawan by Abu Sayyaf terrorists in 2001 resulted in the abduction of 22 hostages. 5 were subsequently killed including 2 Americans. One of the assailants had the unlikely name of Alzheimer Limbong. Where the flip do their parents get these names and why haven't they researched them more thoroughly. I once had a Filipina fuckmate name Honeybee! OK Honeybee as a name maybe. But who would name their kid Alzheimer?.

Perhaps the parents were prescient?

Omega.

P.S. BTW, "Alzheimer" might be a "cool handle" for a "demented" new ISG member?

[Omega 3]

***

On the other hand, the World Resorts Casino Massacre shows just how volatile Filipinos can be without religious radicalization. An emotional Filipino gambler with access to an M4 carbine returned to the casino to even the odds after previous gambling losses. Although he did not target guests and staff, the sound of automatic gunfire and ricocheting bullets combined with flames from gaming tables set ablaze by the enraged gambler were enough to trigger a massive panicked stampede. In the chaos a security guard shot himself dead while trying to draw his weapon. Terrified staff and guests became trapped as they attempted to flee and many perished due to suffocation and smoke inhalation. The gunman made his way to the nearby Maxim's Hotel where he doused himself in gasoline and set himself ablaze. The death toll was 38 people, including the gunman.

So, security in the Philippines is relative. The infrastructure is not exactly secure. Transportation safety is highly variable depending on mode of transport and area. Armed robbery, theft, scams and extortion are quite common. Ironically, martial law throughout the Philippines may actually reduce crime as a result of limiting movement at night and increasing searches and seizures of weapons. Currently, Cebu and Luzon remain largely unaffected by the events.***.

If not so sad, the whole Manila Resorts World tragedy could be described as a bizarre "comedy of errors". Apparently, then-Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, and also Rappler with wildly inaccurate contemporaneous social media reporting, also each may have been among those who played significant contributing roles in the tragedy?

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds, if at all (if not just quietly "swept under the rug."

OM.

P.S. Maybe more appropriately described as a bizarre "tragedy of errors"?

[Member #4566]

I don't think you should be concerned. I've neither seen nor heard any reports of problems in the Visayas GE.

A raid on the Western Visayan island of Palawan by Abu Sayyaf terrorists in 2001 resulted in the abduction of 22 hostages. 5 were subsequently killed including 2 Americans. One of the assailants had the unlikely name of Alzheimer Limbong. Where the flip do their parents get these names and why haven't they researched them more thoroughly. I once had a Filipina fuckmate name Honeybee! OK Honeybee as a name maybe. But who would name their kid Alzheimer?

BTW GE, I have a hint for you. Memory loss may be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease. (just teasing you).

[Omega 3]

Motivated by a post from RK some time ago, I have purchased and started to read Nick Joaquin's "Culture and History". My initial impression is that this is a charming period piece (1988), to be savored in small portions. It's interesting to read a noted and erudite local author's take on the Philippines, his home country.

For a monger does not necessarily live for sex only.

Just one man's views.

OM.

[Chocha Monger]

I'm planning my usual yearly trip in the Philippines, but I'm a little bit concerned about the security. I must say I was an expert of the area, being there more than ten times, but never been there since the Duterte election. My fav area is Dumaguete and the Visayas, but Duma and the Siquijor Island seem so close to the Mindanao area, and to Marawi, such as Tagbilaran and Panglao.

Furthermore I read some news comparing Duterte to Marcos, even guessing a nationwide martial law.

Any advice? Should I avoid the Phils this years, for relaxing holiday?

Thanks.

It is not recommended to venture into the Sulu Archipelago. Security has tightened a bit in areas north of Palawan. Some places in the Visayas now ask for a valid photo ID before granting entry. This is due to fears that jihadists fleeing the Battle of Marawi City are infiltrating nearby islands to hide from government forces. Foreign jihadists have been identified among the slain insurgents. Some of the rebel leaders have been killed or captured. So, it is quite possible their disciples in areas outside of Mindanao may carry out terrorist attacks in retaliation for their losses in Marawi. They have executed Christian civilians in Marawi, so there is no doubt that they are ruthless ISIS branded Islamic terrorists.

On the other hand, the World Resorts Casino Massacre shows just how volatile Filipinos can be without religious radicalization. An emotional Filipino gambler with access to an M4 carbine returned to the casino to even the odds after previous gambling losses. Although he did not target guests and staff, the sound of automatic gunfire and ricocheting bullets combined with flames from gaming tables set ablaze by the enraged gambler were enough to trigger a massive panicked stampede. In the chaos a security guard shot himself dead while trying to draw his weapon. Terrified staff and guests became trapped as they attempted to flee and many perished due to suffocation and smoke inhalation. The gunman made his way to the nearby Maxim's Hotel where he doused himself in gasoline and set himself ablaze. The death toll was 38 people, including the gunman.

So, security in the Philippines is relative. The infrastructure is not exactly secure. Transportation safety is highly variable depending on mode of transport and area. Armed robbery, theft, scams and extortion are quite common. Ironically, martial law throughout the Philippines may actually reduce crime as a result of limiting movement at night and increasing searches and seizures of weapons. Currently, Cebu and Luzon remain largely unaffected by the events unfolding in Mindanao except for the coffins of soldiers killed in Marawi making their way to hometowns for burial. So, you can still relax your cock in many Pinays orifices for a modest price in your hotel room much like on your previous 10 sex tourism visits.

[FreebieFan]

Gavin Menzies is a fraud. The initially exciting "revelations" in his books (that made him extremely wealthy) are now recognised by scholars of history to be the output of a wonderful imagination. There is no "substantial evidence" that Zhang He ever sailed further than the well-documented routes of his 7 voyages. He certainly never circumnavigated the world or voyaged to the Americas.

Ikksman.

But of course this " news " is totally suppressed in the land of spitters smokers and shouters. They were soooooo happy to discover a chinaman could have done all this and extolled the virtues of Zhang he in newspapaers, social media postings and even exhibitions.

I think some chinese news reports even had the great Zhang he as being the first man on the moon too. LOL.

[GoodEnough]

Just ran across this article which implies at least that the siege in Marawi isn't going to be resolved any time soon. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/13/w...pgtype=article.

GE.

[GoodEnough]

I'm planning my usual yearly trip in the Philippines, but I'm a little bit concerned about the security. I must say I was an expert of the area, being there more than ten times, but never been there since the Duterte election. My fav area is Dumaguete and the Visayas, but Duma and the Siquijor Island seem so close to the Mindanao area, and to Marawi, such as Tagbilaran and Panglao.

Furthermore I read some news comparing Duterte to Marcos, even guessing a nationwide martial law.

Any advice? Should I avoid the Phils this years, for relaxing holiday?

Thanks.

I don't think you should be concerned. I've neither seen nor heard any reports of problems in the Visayas, and aside from the ongoing battles in Marawi, life continues here relatively normally. Though everyone here in Davao is aware of the martial law decree, the rhythm of life hasn't changed, and there's no evident increased presence of the military or police in the streets. There has been a notable slowdown of business here, and road traffic during the evening appears to have diminished somewhat, but life remains peaceful and calm.

There's little doubt that the martial law declaration and the Marawi insurgency have had an impact on tourism, and that might work in your favor relative to the availability of women in your target areas. That said, life continues on much as it did prior to the Marawi siege and I don't think there's any increased danger for foreigners.

GE.

[Wicked Roger]

I'm planning my usual yearly trip in the Philippines, but I'm a little bit concerned about the security. I must say I was an expert of the area, being there more than ten times, but never been there since the Duterte election. My fav area is Dumaguete and the Visayas, but Duma and the Siquijor Island seem so close to the Mindanao area, and to Marawi, such as Tagbilaran and Panglao.

Furthermore I read some news comparing Duterte to Marcos, even guessing a nationwide martial law.

Any advice? Should I avoid the Phils this years, for relaxing holiday?

Thanks.

We all have a different perception of safety but I see no reason for anyone to postpone a visit as you will be in the main areas (I assume), you won't be travelling to most or any of Mindanao, Tawai Tawi, Jole, Sulu, Zambo etc so I see no reason to postpone. Duma is fine, Cebu is cool and I have friends who have just come back from Siquijor.

I will be there soon and the current news has not worried me at all but then I spend time in Pakistan and the Middle East where life can be more hairy at times.

[Questor55]

I'm planning my usual yearly trip in the Philippines, but I'm a little bit concerned about the security. I must say I was an expert of the area, being there more than ten times, but never been there since the Duterte election. My fav area is Dumaguete and the Visayas, but Duma and the Siquijor Island seem so close to the Mindanao area, and to Marawi, such as Tagbilaran and Panglao.

Furthermore I read some news comparing Duterte to Marcos, even guessing a nationwide martial law.

Any advice? Should I avoid the Phils this years, for relaxing holiday?

Thanks.

Yes, by all means, avoid going there. It's not about the state of the country, but about your state of mind. If you are feeling concerned now, that will definitely affect your enjoyment negatively if you came. Experienced guys usually trust their gut.

[On The Road]

I'm planning my usual yearly trip in the Philippines, but I'm a little bit concerned about the security. I must say I was an expert of the area, being there more than ten times, but never been there since the Duterte election. My fav area is Dumaguete and the Visayas, but Duma and the Siquijor Island seem so close to the Mindanao area, and to Marawi, such as Tagbilaran and Panglao.

Furthermore I read some news comparing Duterte to Marcos, even guessing a nationwide martial law.

Any advice? Should I avoid the Phils this years, for relaxing holiday?

Thanks.