Mike in Manila

2008-04-27T09:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Slip’s happy homeland tour

She flew in a couple of months ago to do features on the Philippines and was greeted with a lot of hope her videos will bring in more tourists to the country. Christine, or Happy Slip is one of the few lucky people who are certified gold on YOUTUBE.
She’s the Fil-am Princesses of the viral […]

Senate · typoid outbreak · glorita explsoion · US politics · Arroyo · Estrada · Erap · blast fishing · clintn · battle of the democrats · hillary · Minging · Violent Media · Mayor Hagedornb · clinton · Philippine politics · hillary clinton · whitewater · palawan · Cancer · street crime · manila · Myanmar · Burma crackdown · thuraya in asia · ate · Burma · mikeinmanila · Nokia E90 · Basilan · Mindanao · War · china · PRC · fil-am · makati · manaila · quezon city · ASEAN · The Philippines · asia · desperate housewives · terry hatcher · korea · philippines

2008-04-27T09:43:00.001-07:00

Philippines & ASEAN

Fertilizer Crisis looms in the Philippines & ASEAN
April 20th, 2008 ·
I’ve seen a number of stories online about China and others in the region curbing fertilizer exports; there’s a interesting story ongoing that aside from the rice crisis here in the Philippines. A fertilizer crisis looming in the region as well

Price of fertilizer next to […]

[Read more →]

2008-04-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

Arroyo: vote online for our natural wonders…

PGMA rallies Filipinos to vote on line for 3 RP natural wonders

DUMAGUETE CITY – “Let’s vote online for our natural wonders.”
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made the call as she exhorted all Filipinos here and abroad to help the government in its campaign for the Tubbataha Reef, Chocolate Hills and the Underground River to win in the […]

[Read more →]

Obama-Clinton fight heats up

2008-03-08T03:24:00.000-08:00

US Politics: Advisors ‘Mud-slinging’, Chicago politics, and soon ‘Whitewater’ may send Democrats into self destruction campaign

President Bush and John McCain were smiling as he wrapped up the nomination and in the distance see Democrats destroying each other in th Bitter Obama-Clinton battle that may send voters towards appatty and issue burnout come the real campaign in the U.S.A.

Barack Obama’s foreign policy advisor’s off the record comments about Hillary Clinton […]

[Read more →]

2007-09-27T04:51:00.000-07:00

PNC Special Report: Myanmar Crisis Could Mean 'Burma Drug Flood' On Guam
Mike Cohen, PNC Correspondent 27.SEP.07
11:58 a.m. The U.S. State Department released its International Narcotics report for 2008, which warns that the political problems in Burma are leaving drug production centers unchecked, and corruption problems in government mean that it has become Asia's central distribution area for meth pills and production point for many criminal trafficking groups. Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. West Coast could feel the impact [more]

"Burma's military regime has not made the necessary efforts to curb production and has also been very lackluster in the areas of demand reduction," Christy McCampbell , Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs told reporters at a briefing.
Worse, even prior to the crisis, there seemed to be little effort to stem the trade and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) believes this may indicate large scale participation of security forces in the protection of the production center, "We think these are important, interdiction that's very important and combating corruption. " McCampbell added.

CRISIS DEEPENING TENSION RISING

On the streets of what the military junta calls, Yangoon, Myanmar, there is fear. Last Thursday night, reports of arrests and deaths surfaced, as a crackdown began against over 100,000 people who had been filling the streets daily in protest. Led by Buddhist monks, the brave marched in over violent dispersals from an earlier smaller march. There is mass anger over fuel price increases that have hit the poor, and most Burmese, hard.

The marches in Yangoon were seeking a formal apology from the country's military rulers, as earlier protests had been met by military force. It all started on August 15th when the Myanmar government raised the price of fuel by 500%, taking away subsidies that had kept life liveable for the poorest of the people once called Burmese.

"This sparked a series of peaceful demonstrations all over the country, beginning with demonstrations in Rangoon, now called Yangon, the former capital of the country. They have since spread to Pakokku and Mandalay in Northern Burma." Free Foreign Policy center reported Thursday, "In Pakokku, Buddhist monks reportedly took army officers hostage for a few hours, then in Mandalay, where traditionally monks have been highly politicized and aware, the army has units surrounding the city in readiness for an inevitable clampdown."

The US government and European Union have warned Myanmar's military rulers to respect human rights, allow the will of the people and free elected leaders it has kept under house arrest for nearly two decades. Burma's government had earlier been hit hard by the United States a week ago when it was named a major narcotics producer.

'MAJOR' NARCOTICS PRODUCING COUNTRY

Burma's narcotics labs produce a blended pill form of crystal methamphetamine – Yaba, Ecstasy, and other street terms - and continues to be a major source of problems for the Asia Pacific region, so reports the U.S. DEA.

In the recent briefing held in Washington D.C., Burma's drugs are trans-shipped though other Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, the Philippines, and Cambodia, and onto Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI). The State Department says it continues to be a threat to the people of Guam, Hawaii and the West Coast of the United States.

"Burma is the largest source of methamphetamine pills in Asia and pill production continues to grow." McCampbell pointed to a marked shift in Burma from opium to 'meth pills' and 'ice' production, "The country's declining poppy cultivation has been matched by a sharp increase in methamphetamine production."

Burma was singled out in the report along with Venezuela, but the Burmese problem is more directly effecting Americans living in the Pacific Rim, with drug trafficking organizations believed using the American Pacific islands, Guam, the CNMI, and Hawaii as larger dollar earning markets for the products they make. Pill form methamphetamine, is often considered by drug enforcement agencies as the most deadly, often causing severe mental side effects and instant addiction. Burma's continued failure to act on its growing role as a narcotics trade center will lead to the imposition of trade and economic penalties under U.S. law.

DEA Issues warning to Law Enforcement to expect more 'Burma pills'

The DEA reports, "Methamphetamine tablets are produced primarily in Burma and usually contain a combination of powder methamphetamine and caffeine." Description and types of pills seized over the years vary, "Methamphetamine tablets found in the United States typically are green or orange-red in color, imprinted with a variety of symbols, most commonly WY or R.

"The pills are approximately the size of a pencil eraser." The use often varies. "Methamphetamine tablets typically are ingested orally and often are flavored and scented like candy grape, orange, or vanilla." Tablets also are smoked by placing the tablet on a piece of aluminum foil and passing a heat source underneath the foil until the tablet melts and vapors - which are inhaled -are released.

Regional narcotics experts fear that with the Burmese military engaged in a crackdown on dissidents, there may be a rise in the smuggling operations of pill-based and more traditional opium deliveries along the 'Golden Triangle'. - PNC International

Myanmar Military defection: Colonel flees to Thailand

2007-09-27T04:47:00.000-07:00

France TV 24 got the story of at least one officer reportedly a colonel in the Myanmar military so sick of the daily crackdown he's defected and sought refuge in Thailand. The officers identity is hidden but he's talking about the atrocities committed on people who by the Burmese Junta's sudden reduction of subsidies on fuel are now starving.

You can watch it here:

2007-09-27T04:45:00.000-07:00

Crackdown underway in Burma hundreds arrested

September 26th, 2007 · 3 Comments

Reports trickle out of Rangoon on the situation and protests spreading throughout the land its military rulers call Myanmar. Here in Manila there are calls for the Military in Yangoon/Rangoon to follow the will of the people and restore democracy. But the rest of ASEAN is silent as always.

[] Security forces have launched a crackdown against thousands of protesters in Myanmar’s central Yangon city. Early reports suggest two Buddhist monks were killed and between 80 and 200 people arrested. Police launched tear gas and fired above the crowds as up to 10,000 protestors pushed their way through barricades towards key protests points. The continuous protests against the military regime have been triggered by sharp rises in food and fuel prices. - Panos London []

News agencies and other organizations have a difficult time getting information out. But the death toll is rising and so are reports say the number of people being detained.

Four killed in Myanmar protest crackdown
Witnesses say 3 shot in Myanmar protests Los Angeles Times
Jerusalem Post - NPR - Inquirer.net - Times of India
all 2,964 news articles »

My own report on the crisis has mostly a view that the turmoil could lead to a flood of Yaba and other drugs across the borders into Thailand and Bangladesh:

CRISIS IN BURMA: DRUG FLOOD FEARED:

The US State Department released its yearly International Narcotics report for 2008, which has warned that the political problems in Burma are leaving drug production centers unchecked, and, corruption problems in government mean it has become Asia’s central distribution area for meth pills.

Production point for many criminal trafficking groups. “Burma’s military regime has not made the necessary efforts to curb production and has also been very lackluster in the areas of demand reduction,” Christy McCampbell , Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs told reporters at a briefing.

Worse even prior to the crisis, there seemed to be little effort to stem the trade and the US DEA believes this may indicate large scale participation of security forces in protection of production center, “We think are important, interdiction that’s very important and combating corruption. ” McCampbell added.

CRISIS DEEPENING TENSION RISING:

On the streets of what the Military Junta calls, Yangoon, Myanmar there is fear, Thursday night, reports of arrests and a death has surfaced as a crackdown versus over 100,000 people daily filling the streets in protest.

(more on http://www.pacificnewscenter.com)

Tags: Burma crackdown · Myanmar · Burma

Bush on Burma

2007-09-27T04:43:00.000-07:00

Bush Outraged:New sanctions vs. Myanmar set

September 26th, 2007 · No Comments

WWW.Whitehouse.Gov

President Bush Addresses The United Nations General Assembly
At the United Nations today, President Bush expressed the outrage of the American people at the continued oppression of the people of Burma. The people of Burma deserve to enjoy basic liberties such as freedom of speech, assembly, and worship. The United States calls on the Burmese regime to engage in a genuine dialogue with its own people, including the leaders of the pro-democracy movement and ethnic minority groups, on a transition to a civilian, democratic government. The Burmese regime should release those who have been arrested for peacefully expressing their views, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and should also exercise restraint in the face of peaceful protests.

President Bush called for a series of steps to help bring peaceful change to Burma. The President urged the United Nations and all nations to use their diplomatic and economic leverage to help the Burmese people reclaim their freedom.

President Bush announced that the United States will tighten economic sanctions. Sanctions against Burma were first imposed in 1997 with the issuance of Executive Order 13047. These sanctions were augmented on July 28, 2003 by the enactment of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act and the issuance of Executive Order 13310.

The tightened sanctions will block the property and interests in property of certain senior leaders of the regime and individuals who provide financial backing for the regime.
Under the current executive orders, the assets of a limited number of named entities are blocked, but the United States Government has not designated specific individuals. These new designations will identify members of the regime who are responsible for violations of human rights and for impeding the nation’s transition to democracy.

President Bush also announced that the United States will expand the current visa ban.

The United States will impose an expanded visa ban on those individuals responsible for violations of human rights and those individuals aiding, abetting, and benefiting from the regime’s efforts to impede Burma’s transition to democracy, as well as their family members.

President Bush instructed his Administration to step up efforts to support the work of humanitarian groups that are alleviating suffering in Burma. Burma is experiencing a crisis on many fronts, including in health and education, and these humanitarian groups carry out important work to help in these areas.

The United States will review existing policies to ensure that we do all we can to facilitate the work of humanitarian groups, which face significant opposition from the Burmese regime.

Tags: Burma crackdown · Burma · Uncategorized

2007-09-27T04:42:00.000-07:00

Myanmar:Rangoon protests on YOUTUBE

September 26th, 2007 · 1 Comment

Most media organization have been having trouble getting images out of Rangoon or as the Junta has called it since taking over Government Yangooon,

But risking a lot these people put the videos on YOUTUBE, Google videos, and other sources across the World Wide Web in order to make thier message heard. It isn’t easy and the penalities are stiff if they are caught.

Monks’ Revolution in Rangoon…

So here’s a look at what is happening. Shame news crews are allowed in to be able to show what else might be happening - or that the perspective is limited. But as often in dictatorships or military rule it is in trickles - reports and images flow out like these.

Google and Youtube for now seem to be the only way the images are at least in trickles coming out.

Life under Myanmar’s military government - 18 Sept 07
02:33

Song Dedicated To Burmese Monks in Protest
05:04

Monks Revolution Continue in Burma
01:57

2007-09-27T04:41:00.001-07:00

International SOS Assists Victims of Can Tho Bridge Collapse

HO CHI MINH CITY, 27 September 2007 – Following the collapse of a suspension bridge in Can Tho, south of Ho Chi Minh City on 26 Sep 07, International SOS mobilized its resources in Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore and Bangkok to Can Tho. This was done in order to provide assistance on the ground to members.

An International SOS first response team comprising three doctors and a nurse, an interpreter and operations manager from the International SOS alarm centre and clinic in Ho Chi Minh City was despatched immediately. The team arrived at the accident site hours after the accident has occurred, with medical equipment, supplies and a road ambulance.

The first response team worked with the local authorities and hospitals to obtain preliminary medical reports of the victims. Their immediate task is to assess the medical conditions of at least 60 members and develop a plan of action for them to receive appropriate medical care. This includes the option of evacuating seriously injured patients to Ho Chi Minh City. The team is evaluating various modes of mass evacuation including by bus, boat, road ambulance or helicopter. Medical staff at the International SOS clinic in Ho Chi Minh City have been placed on standby to receive and treat victims of the bridge collapse.

International SOS has been operating in Vietnam since 1989 and currently provides general practice consultations and emergency medical care services via its 24-hour alarm centre in Ho Chi Minh City and three international clinics in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Vung Tau. The International SOS clinics are fully equipped with emergency rooms complete with electronic monitoring and resuscitation equipment. International SOS works with a network of medical service providers and hospitals in 40 provinces throughout Vietnam.

About International SOS

International SOS has global operations in over 60 countries, spanning five continents. The company provides clients with a comprehensive portfolio of medical and security services to ensure that people travelling and working internationally have access to immediate help. International SOS' services range from 24-hour medical advice, referrals to qualified doctors and hospitals as well as provision of emergency medical and security evacuations when there is a critical illness, accident or civil unrest. Last year, the company handled over 370,000 assistance cases, including more than 10,000 medical evacuations.

2007-09-27T04:40:00.001-07:00

Global Corruption Survey Results
9:39 a.m. Transparency International, the global international anti-corruption 'watchdog,' released its latest findings today in Germany. "The 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index looks at perceptions of public sector corruption in 180 countries and territories - the greatest country coverage of any CPI to date – and is a composite index that draws on 14 expert opinion surveys." [more]

Fellowship of 911 rings...

2006-09-11T11:47:00.000-07:00

Interesting spoof of Michael Moores 9-11 great stuff really.
In a strange way it tells the way some of the spin minds work
in this strange world of some documentary work.

The other one I like in a way is a attack - deserved in my opinion on the spin
players who seem hell bent on twisting what happened on 911.
Done by Penn & Teller...

Man's Ambassaor of Wildlife

2006-09-07T00:14:00.000-07:00

The Death of Steve Irwin is sad for many around the world but in strange sort of way you can tell that from his life that is the way he wanted to go. In this interview below he speaks about what and why he did the things he did.

There are thousands of tribute videos on youtube- google videos and elsewhere to this man who did so much for wildlife - he had his controversy who didn't - or doesn’t.

He was a 'fair dinkum' mate who helped the world bridge the gap between animals and people.

We interviewed Steve a few years back on Palawan at the CFI there - doing a story for the Inside story. We popped in with a group of people hopping off of a chopper jut outside the wire and walking into the office. Dr. Jerry Ortega was running the place then - Jerry gave us a proper scolding for spooking the crocs - our Air Force Pilots had given us a quick tour of Puerto Princesa.

Steve was a little subdued... but still even in the quick interview showed the flashes of what is seen on TV then, We later found out our chopper a big UH-1 Huey- had come at the worst possible time - breeding day at the croc farm. We never saw crocs move so fast- as well as a film crew hopping to get out of the way in the pens below! When the huge salt water crocs were being filmed!!! Here comes this 'other film crew' flying in on WHUP-WHUP-WHUP talk about spoiling the moment.

I know I have some video of the interview form my own camera - and other videos as well of Irwin from his short Palawan trip. This was circa 1993 - we still have pictures somewhere too. Not the best meeting – there were other we had… none as eventful as the other meeting.

I hope somewhere in the files of the Inside Story the video is there… If I remember Tita Fe and Ayen were really excited about the chance meeting and saved the tapes from the Inside Story somewhere.

Anyhow…

The way Steve went seems to have been the way most people expected him to go- sad as the whole thin is- as a person who could like a Doctor Doolittle talk almost it seemed with the Animals and in the element they were in make people understand the others of our world we share it with.

The best tribute I have seen was on Jay Leno’s show where Jay said Steve was the best Ambassador Australia ever had. So true… Mr. Irwin will be missed… I watched a couple of shows on the Animal planet today. Listening to him as full of life he described the feeding habits of large croc t the Australia Zoo. He’s still with us… I hope they keep his shows on the air because it one of the best tools of education for children in a easy light hearted way for them to learn about the creatures history has taught us to fear.

I have to say Jay ‘s Ambassador analogy is wrong – Steve could have been or should have been the Peoples ambassador to Animals and vice versa.

2006-09-02T04:12:00.001-07:00

“I bet they’re asleep in New York, I bet they are asleep all over America…”

Listening to lines from a wartime classic from the 1940″s Casablanca, Boogie says the line I use as my blog title- ironic its about 11pm in New York as I write this. Twelve hours ahead in time on my side of the globe - People are wide awake;

But here the ‘War on Terror’ is part of life. A day to day thing with battles won and lost - mostly victories so far - but still the fight goes on most of it beyond the scope of much of the world to understand- that in this global counterinsurgency versus Al Qeada and it’s allies and its minions that war rages on.

Philippine troops to launch major assault on Abu Sayyaf rebels in … People’s Daily Online
Philippines to dispatch more troops to hunt down Islamic militants Raw Story
US Troops Hunting Down JI Bombers In Southern Philippines All Headline News

In the movie Casablanca, it was meant to awaken a sleepy isolationist centered America to the evil that was NAZI Germany - written prior to pearl harbor attack - the movie spoke in language all its own. Boogie goes on to say , “I bet they are asleep all over America” ,

In the pre-9-11 world five years ago at this time America was at sleep - isolated from the Jihad that much of the rest of the world esp. the middle east faced.

It was awakened by the WTC bomb attacks then slumbered - until the rude awakening of 9-11, Now five years afterwards, after the victories in Afghanistan, and Over the fast ‘blitzkrieg’ victory over Saddam’s government and his army that disappeared - it, America - went back to sleep on Iraq.

It is true to a large extent that the USA see’s itself as back in slumber mode in general- there was a mission accomplished- the formal fight versus the middle east’s largest Army and its worst dictator did happen.

But people feel asleep after that and did not notice the growing insurgency and Act 2 of the War - awakened to the sounds of IED and the insurgency.

It is in mid-sleep - somewhat awake in a nightmare of a Long and complicated war now that troubles many people. It has links and ties to many parts of the World beyond Iraq Afghanistan and elsewhere.

It rages on in small pockets here in Asia from Southern Thailand to small pockets of Indonesia to the campaign in Mindanao to arrests in Australia to rumors of small camps in West Papua or Irian Jaya - all the way back to the fight in the middle east the loast net and web of a underground fight that continues to rumble on…

Many in the West cannot really but fall asleep - thinking when they awake the new day will bring new peace and the sad shapes and images that show the battles of the conflict can be channel surfed away on morning TV.

“I bet they are asleep all over America…”, Boogie said it then so long ago- still today this statement is true.

2006-08-31T09:33:00.000-07:00

Mass grave found in Philippines: ‘killing fields’

A wire report on the rebel purges of the mid to late 1980’s-1990’s is prominent in the news wires abroad. As a mass grave filled with “Hundreds of victims” - some allegedly new - of alleged rebels suspected of coorperating with the government was uncovered.

It is not a new story- one that is often underreported - and often unmentioned by some in the international community who often prefer to highlight Governments alleged abuses whole downplaying those who may have supported or helped government from being victims - such as these here.

[]”…. MANILA, Philippines — Soldiers found mass graves believed to hold the remains of up to 300 people allegedly killed by communist guerrillas in the 1980s during a purge of suspected spies in the Philippines’ remote east, officials said Thursday”.…[]

FYI-TV.net had this report from about not too long ago - I repost it here:

Special Report

About a Boy

…who lost his parents at age 5, grew up believing in the same revolutionary cause he knew they left him for… only to discover 20 years later that his parents were tortured and buried alive by their own Communist Party comrades on suspicion of being Deep Penetration Agents. —Winona Cueva

Another report deals with anger over ‘tax’ activities of the rebel group in another part of the Philippines by a Congressperson from a cause oriented groups.

[] …”Partylist solon condemn NPAs Philippine Information Agency, Philippine

… Akbayan representative Loretta Ann Rosales stood in the plenary on Monday to condemn the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, whose latest …” []

2006-08-29T19:18:00.001-07:00

The capture by a patrol officer of a man sought for preaching about multiple marriages and what legally would be considered Pedophilia for underage marriages condoned by this sect of a US church group extremist group was caught where else but in Las Vegas!

[] ..." FBI's 'most wanted' polygamist arrested in US
Independent - By Andrew Buncombe in Washington. The leader of a notorious polygamist cult and one of the FBI's most wanted fugitives was behind bars last night after being pulled over in a routine stop by a patrol officer in Nevada. ..." []

Hiding out or passing through in America's marriage and divorce capital city in Nevada makes sense for a guy who preached having multiple wives- Sin City- after all is one of the few places where people don't really know much about the people who live near them and it is drifter capital where 34 million people pass through as tourists and it is one of the fastest growing cities in the American west.

It seems strange though that whenever a sex offender or child abductor is caught it often 'happens in Vegas' living there a few months back.

it was not rare to find many people sought in other states found in the cities motels and hotels.

Perhaps it is because of the south western city's semi frontier nature or because it one place where people rarely cares about who the neighbors are in the downtown areas.

But there is large number of people - who are it seems drawn to the place most of whom are sex offenders.

When I covered several cases of stories like this - it often seemed that the place is magnet for those types- mostly because it is something of rare place where it seems, anything goes.

People come and go and move about with little thought that that city is probably the hardest and worst places to hide. Most of 'the strip' and hotels and shopping malls are interlinked into a city wide series of public place camera's that have the best level of face recognition technology available.

If a fugitive takes plane into the city airport- before he can even get to a luggage area - his or her face will be on any number of cameras. On top of this there are also a number of rules and laws that require numerous forms of ID. Working in the city itself may seem an easy thing - it is for those seeking employment there are numerous jobs - but in a State with no income tax - except for federal taxes - the fees and permits require any number of forms to filled out - fingerprint checks and documents scanned.

Even just getting a state ID is a difficult process - three or four forms of ID are required. And it is one place where even a US passport is not good enough to get a local ID! So in fairness- Las Vegas may get a bad rep because it is where so many are caught- but- in hindsight- in other cities they might never be found - but in Vegas, where police stops and routine ID checks are common for anyone with out state license plates driving in areas away from the tourist zones. There is as one Police officer told me - a high chance for 'bad guys' to be grabbed than in any other American City.

2006-08-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

SMS Text Scam alert: Brunei warns

The Borneo Bulletin put out a warning versus a text and email based scam that has been victimizing residents of the Sultanate in Northern Borneo where a charity sends a message seeking information and bank details to victims.

The person gets a message saying they won in a contest and upon response seeks details or a asks for small fee to be sent to cover bank transfer expenses.

But the key warning here is this charities’ usually ask or seek donations. Most do not engage in contests or give out money. There is an old rule that states no one that something too good to be true usually is just that not true!

[] …” Beware Of New Easy Money Scam
By Kartika Rahman Bandar Seri Begawan - A conman is on the prowl offering people big money for a small fee. The scam artist apparently calls random numbers and informs them that they have won $350,000 from an American Charity Foundation. After convincing the victim, he then asks for their account number, identity card details, and a tax fee of $500.The tax fee is then requested to be sent to the association’s account in the Philippines. The public is reminded to be wary of scams that promise easy money. – Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin …” []

2006-08-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

In light of a news report on the capture of three alleged bombers on a Superferry interisland ship monday I am reposting this item below from a few months back:

Terror By Sea… the next 9-11?

Al qaeda at sea? are multiple maritime plots afoot?

In the Movie “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” a alien ambassador seeking to get the world’s attention stops time and makes the world - stand still.

Kerry Collison; avid author and mega-blogger may feel like the alien ambassador trying to warn people in the USA of a problem we in SE Asia know only too well, It is recurring fear for many in the region, a coordinated attack by Al Qaeda and it’s allies in the region on the Straits of Malacca.

While ASEAN has put up joint patrols versus the repeated acts of piracy; amidst reports of hijacking of ships where-in nothing was taken and seemed more like training missions. Warnings have emerged over the last four years of a possible major terror attack on shipping in the area.

There are among the Navies of the region a worry expressed both by Military people and members of both the international shipping companies and leaders in the region.

A growing fear; rising over the years; about a possible attack on or near Asia’s choke point in the Malacca Straights.

A lot of people are expressing renewed concern Now at this time of extreme oil prices if a Attack on or near Straits of Malacca near Singapore could hold up traffic for a few days what it would do to the global economy. One analyst says a few days of tension could see a $120 a barrel “As not impossible.”

” The same conditions that allow pirates to operate in Indonesian waters can also be conducive to militant groups such as al Qaeda or its Southeast Asian offshoot Jemaah Islamiah. Maritime attacks and attacks against oil infrastructure and transportation….” Stratfor report quoted by Collison

Collision’s post based a report of the STATFOR organization; But that threat of a attack here near us is in part based on one that occurred before while it was off Yemen and en-route to the entry to the Suez Canal.

But going beyond the STRATFOR warnings; speaking to analysts they say one area of extreme concern is if “multiple choke points are hit link up several events,” imagine a much larger scenario; not just Malacca, And here is where talking to the people I have been discussing this with in the last few hours see something.

“But what if Hormitz, in the Gulf; or on Oil tankers in the Suez and Panama canals; then that were followed by attacks on oil pipelines and or refineries.” my sources say such actions taken over period of days;

World be enough to send oil prices soaring “They would skyrocket.”

At first I asked if “such a plot had been considered even a remote possibility?” the answer given to me; “There are several actual intelligence reports on individual attacks plots versus these targets.” I was told by not just one security analyst - But the same quote repeated almost in the same words by another who cited intelligence information gleaned from detainees and captured documents.

I and my counterparts in the news media have done stories with topics like this; to try and get these concerns aired- on occasion we do a pretty good job Looking for these things and hopefully raise concern enough for us to see some action taken to prevent events like this from happening but we are not always successful. .

But reading and re-reading this possible path of action; the thought of something going on at multiple point’s worries me repeatedly I have been told;

Analysts say “it is not far-fetched.”

“If one looks at past actions of Al Qaeda for example they have arranged for attacks to be carried out in different hemisphere’s or countries before, ” one senior fellow of a major think tank told me when I asked him about the subject said; ” I would not think it impossible.”

Groups like Al Qaeda are able to commit multiple attacks across the globe; One need only look at the assassination of the leader of the northern alliance in Afghanistan around the time of the 9-11 attacks; Then embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, the string of bombings across the globe that almost move across time zones like a clock.

I often wonder why the Madrid Attacks were never linked to the bombing of Superferry 14 and the attacks on other targets in an around the same timeframe.. I am suddenly worried about the new message of the leaders of Al Q. I wonder; and worry, if indeed as mentioned in the statements “Oil supply” is now the new target, weapon, and, threat next. plot to make a real life; World Standing still….. waiting in gas lines and trying to figure out how move about.

I hope I’m not the only one thinking this way. Something I am sure is being done to prevent this on a individual level at the various places; If not - we’ll all be walking for couple of days and trying to recover from the chaos of a world standing still.

2006-08-28T19:36:00.001-07:00

No mouse in the House!

There is No mouse in this House! No not the one that runs around the one that makes my PC work!

If there ever was a virus that could be created to do worst damage possible to humans using XP Pro it may have hit me today. Or perhaps in my carelessness, I struck a master delete stroke and I deleted the folder, or someone else, using my computer id.
I still can't figure it out or how, but somehow, my driver file for my mouse is gone from my system.

I stared at my PC trying to remember all the hot keys. I hit F1 for help; then grabbed the mouse to look for a topic. Okay, nothing. Now what?! So I did the old Alt-Tab to shift between windows. I went to Ctrl-Alt-Del to go to Task Manager. I tabbed and tabbed, shifted and shifted but nothing happened. I did the piano on F-keys, i banged away in every combination possible, mixed with all the Alts, Ctrl, Shifts that would have made Beethoven proud; it finally brought down a tab.

Since I had hit so many keys, I tried to remember what to do next so I did an old thing I used to do with my older windows 3.1 (or was it 2.5 or 5.0?!). I hit the key to minimize. It shut down my PC, saving all the setting for whatever piece of keyboard strokes I had done in the process!

I called our resident geek-of-this-condo; he came in after the PC rebooted and powered up. Took one look at my settings and ran screaming down the hallway. I don't know what I had done but there was this screen saying Missile Launch Confirmed. Have a nice day. The rest was in Hindi… oh well…

2006-08-28T19:35:00.001-07:00

Shopping: National the past-time?

I don't jest- but- in light of the habits seen by scientific research cited in a recent Manila times artcle. The most popular way to pass the time it seems in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao seem to be SHOPPING.

[ ] … AC Nielsen, the international consumer research firm, said 22 percent of Filipino consumers engage in "retail therapy." It said 38 percent of Filipinos polled consider buying clothes a necessary chore, ..[]

If one were to consider that the total mall retail space in Metro Manila alone rivals that of Los Angeles and San Francisco combined.

Or so said some report I read a couple of years back- if you count the Malls from Sta. Rosa to Bulacan then one begins to see that even though there is a lack Nationwide of over 4,000 classrooms and problems with not enough desks or books or other things perhaps then at least there enough after school space for everyone!

It might be an idea- to hold classes also in Malls- saves on the after class expenses of having the people go there. Imagine if say in Glorieta or the Galleria or the malls of the southern section of manila - boy- the attendance ratings would be high. Noting today wandering about how many school uniforms one sees in the malls it seems the passion for shopping starts early.

One day I'll do a photo study with my handy little camera and see just how many schools I can spot on a mall excursion… it might make an interesting study indeed.

news, asia, philippines, Filipino, Buhay ofw, Pinoy, filipino-american

2006-08-28T19:32:00.002-07:00

Reporting news is like the ‘Three sides of a coin’

Looking around and wondering a fellow journalist based with a major international news organization based in Asia sent me the tags for the two stories listed below: He wasn’t questioning the Government sources - but the news organizations.

I had to say you have to believe them both - i worked for many years with one and know a lot of people at the other. Both got the story right. But to untrained and unschooled in the Philippine theater of terror’s war the reports look like they are saying different things.

[] …Gonzales warns of more bombings
National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales warned of more violence by groups out to destabilize the Arroyo administration, ANC reported Saturday.
abs-cbnNEWS.com (6/17/2006 6:04:07 PM)

No immediate threat of terror attacks – defense official
First posted 02:19pm (Mla time) June 17, 2006
By Joel Guinto INQ7.net - THE Philippines is under no immediate threat from terrorist attacks, notwithstanding the latest travel advisory from the United States’ State Department to its citizens here, defense and military officials said Saturday. … []
But in reality- NO… The Military is right in saying the US warning is nothing new just a warning to its nationals - the USEC in charge for the counter terrorism cluster in the palace is correct in saying the situation from his viewpoint on the groups mentioned in the US warden notice of possible terror threats is perhaps dated.

On the other hand the national security adviser has described another group not those mentioned in the Warden notice. But a new emerging threat from a shadowy group called ‘TABAK’ - not the groups mentioned above. If its confusing it is because perhaps that terror groups or rebel factions and other organizations are really rarely monolithic here as in many places.

So yes there are threats and plots and yes there has been little heard from other groups of late in particular after arrests made in the south recently. Also one must remember there are many schools of thought at play here- both civilian leaders and law enforcement and the military often play down some threats for reasons only known to them - often called tactical maneuvers to lull an an opponent of Government into to thinking no one is looking while in fact all efforts continue to try and draw them out so they can be brought to justice.

So to answer my fellow journo covering from afar- yes both reports are right - and both media organizations got it correct. Like in all things read the fine print and you’ll see they are actually thinking and talking about too different groups and event threats.

In covering this place - one has to remember what I was taught so long ago that like a coin there are three sides to a story.

Three you ask? a coin only has two? Heads and or Tails!

Wrong look closely take a coin in your hands and check - it has three look at heads, then tails. then look at the middle. because as thin as it is - that is a side the middle of the coin and the thin side is often where journalists must try to be and looking on to either side and seeing what indeed each is saying.

2006-08-28T19:32:00.001-07:00

Loss of English language skills linked to TV programing shifts?

Looking at this story below I often wonder if anyone has looked at the direct decline in language skills and the decline in English language programs on television. Yes, TV - I mean take the percentage of TV shows in English and then look say back to 1995 and then to today and just do a air-time survey in metro manila and other parts of the country then look at the numbers overall.

The shift did not improve ratings - the ratings posted of 9 and 10's at night say for news and current affairs shows and other programs are about the same for the two major networks.

No late night news program has equaled say the ten year stint of TV Patrol of high 20's or low to mid 30's in ratings. even if you add or factor in the numbers game that is TV after all.

The same can be said for canned shows - and the sitcoms - numbers per time slot are about the same in either language - but- the effect on the level of English proficiency is clear. So in part - look also at radio broadcasts - notwithstanding AM; which has for many decades been the home of Tagalog or other regional dialects. But FM entertainment or music radio, Have ratings improved with the shift in language overall - not really -its the music after all not the announcers or dj's people want to hear more than anything.

So what I am saying is perhaps - if indeed there are those who want to see higher level of language proficiency in English in the country considering only the numbers of BPO opportunities predicted in the next ten years as more and more companies go off-shore for the service economy sector - perhaps by keeping some level of one of the two national languages out the on the air - perhaps - there might be a reflected level of increase in proficiency seen.

[]… Arroyo out to reverse skid in English skills - By RENE Q. BAS Sunday Times Editor
President Arroyo has set aside P600 million to upgrade the skills of teachers in English and help reverse the deterioration in the proficiency of Filipino students in the language.
Sources in the Cabinet told The Manila Times Sunday that through a package if Mrs. Arroyo wants to increase the Filipinos’ competitiveness in business-processes outsourcing (BPO). … []
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=42085

The advertiser would not mind - because the ratings would be about the same based on viewer habits, the people would not mind maybe- because like with manufacturing which is almost non-extent in most western countries the service sector is going off-shore in the developed world because the costs of maintaining on demand 24/7 24 hours a day seven days a week full call center coverage is too high - most likely daytime hours in the developed world would in some form still remain on shore- but- those firms seeings 24hour penetration would to be cost competitive move the jobs to where the needs could be met - and service given at lower cost.

It is ironic to me that perhaps some of the largest providers of call center space are broadcasters - they use their telecoms facilities to beef up those service industries that have located to here- and yet- end up having to double hop outsource to India themselves on pass on schemes in order to meet customer demand.

If I see this correctly it is ironic that by their programing options years ago - they lowered the employment pool margin for language skills by their actions. funny… in a way… ironic too.

2006-08-28T19:28:00.003-07:00

FYI lifestyle features: the Tagalog Romance

Lifestyle Feature

Tagalog Romance

They’re inexpensive…they’re everywhere…they’re popular! But cheap and trivial? Well, it’s time to explore what good these local romance paperbacks really have on people, especially women. Maybe thereafter, you won’t be so embarrassed being seen with a copy of them anymore. By Ron Jalmasco

2006-08-28T19:28:00.001-07:00

Manila to get Krispy Kreme’d

Krispy Kreme-

Otherwise known in the rest of the world as a major reason a large majoritoy of the United States is overwieght! Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. has granted development rights for the Philippines to Real American Doughnut Co. Aka the Max resto Corp!

A formal announcement came out in a news release in the states.

Krispy Kreme Awards Development Rights For Philippines To Real … Trading Markets
Krispy Kreme Awards Development Rights for the Philippines Yahoo! News (press release)
Krispy Kreme awards franchise rights for the Philippines Bizjournals.com
Not the Manila does not have its Mr. Dougnuts and Dungkin brands already - but the
news is seen as a major boost with 20 stores anticipated to the sweet tooths of metropolitan manila 12 million people.

2006-08-28T19:27:00.001-07:00

“World War III”: Newt and Mahathir both call it…

There can be no more opposite views of the ‘realpolitik’ that flows in the world than the former Speaker of the House of representatives and the former Malaysian Prime Minister.

Both seem to be reading from the same page and seem to be saying what most in the world do not want to hear… but both are saying looking at today’s news out of the middle east and Lebanon; that the worst is still to come.

Newt :[] …. “Wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, this week’s bomb attacks in India, North Korean nuclear threats, terrorist arrests and investigations in Florida, Canada and Britain, and violence in Israel and Lebanon as evidence of World War III. He said Bush needs to deliver a speech to Congress and “connect all the dots” for Americans.” Gingrich says it’s World War III by David Postman… “[]

Mahathir: [] “… Mahathir: The Third World War Is Here by Mahathir bin Mohamad …TheGlobalist.com is a daily online magazine and think tank publishing features on the key issues, people, companies and organizations shaping global ….[]
Mahathir calls this ‘a phase’ and even more alarming that World War Four is the next major thing the world needs to fear.

All of this makes for interesting reading to political science students, analysts, and others the news makes sence the pronouncement however by major leaders seems to be something they do not want to do.

Americans and Western Europeans are increasingly shying away from news of the current conflict unable to comprehend for many the total globalization of a war that to them seems to be led by a few men hiding in caves - a image they can’t seem to comprehend - considering how with no waiting, instant lives they live and full gratification provided by the lives and technology offered to them this is not what seems to be a popular theme.

The global scale of this thing has yet to hit home for many. It really all started with a fathwah that dates back to 1995. With a Fathwah issued by the cabal this is Al qaeda and stretches to today.

Mahathir and Gringrich have very different views on the causes and solutions:

[]…” Actually we are in the midst of the Third World War, not the war against terrorists but the war between terrorists and the peace loving anti-terrorist alliance, the war between the Axis of Evil and Satan. … ” []

Mahathir bin Mohamad Adding further:

Out-terrorising the terrorists will not work. But removing the causes for terrorism will.

[]… Both sides are convinced that they are right, that theirs is the fight against evil. Evil and Satan must be destroyed.

Frightened, the world is taking measures to secure and defend at tremendous cost. But the main result is not security or freedom from terror attacks. “…[]

To Newt Gringrich in the Seattle Times;

[] “…. the reluctance to put those pieces together and see one global conflict is hurting America’s interests. He said people, including some in the Bush Administration, who urge a restrained response from Israel are wrong “because they haven’t crossed the bridge of realizing this is a war.”

“This is World War III,” Gingrich said. And once that’s accepted, he said calls for restraint would fall away:

“Israel wouldn’t leave southern Lebanon as long as there was a single missile there. I would go in and clean them all out and I would announce that any Iranian airplane trying to bring missiles to re-supply them would be shot down. This idea that we have this one-sided war where the other team gets to plan how to kill us and we get to talk, is nuts.”

There is a public relations value, too. Gingrich said that public opinion can change “the minute you use the language” of World War III. The message then, he said, is “‘OK, if we’re in the third world war, which side do you think should win?” .… [] ” Gingrich says it’s World War III by David Postman”

Obviously the men are playing to different audiences, obviously one speaks for a voice to rally support around a crumbling leadership in the US whose level of public support and perception of a wider conflict could boost that groups leadership position and salvage party rule.

Mahathir on the other hand the elder statesman speaking from the Mountaintop seems to be more clearly trying to address the root causes and get people to wake up and see the light at the end of the tunnel may be glow and fires of new world war coming he calls World War 4.

Many may have a very narrow view of what occurs and many may see these men as politically icons of two very different backgrounds. indeed they are - one a successful leader in Asia who took a backwater former colony of the UK to a economic standard that has made his country one of the few to become 1st world from the SE Asia’s developing world - with growth still rising.

Newt… well he’s seen a global leader in his time slowly lose its industrial prowess and views the world from the shores of the Potomac’s in either blue or red of US Politics- not global real politik- but both calling it as they see it - both calling for people to recognize this War on Terror for what it is - is indeed a clear view my old teachers told me in Journalism, the old two source rule - makes it clearly something to ponder.

So this is World War III? hmmm… If Einstien is to be followed, the next phase as predicted by Mahathir is WW IV, Albert E. said that will be fought with rocks and stones -perhaps now we know why one side is already hiding in caves.

Oh-Boy…. and just when I was learning to like the Internet.

2006-08-28T19:25:00.002-07:00

Bad to worse in Baghdad:”Neighbors are killing neighbors,” WP

Looking into things related to the crisis in the middle east in Lebanon and scanning the blogs something has been missed of late in the regions major war-zone of Iraq.

Worse by far than the situation in Lebanon and mostly escalating into daily killings and violence of a sectarian nature. Baghdad some say may end up resembling the Enclaves of local armed militias of Beirut of 15 years ago when a green line divided that city which is currently in the worlds focus of attention.

Officials of the Iraqi military say as many as 628 hve been kiiled in 6 days!

The Washington Post reports in part:

[]… “Neighbors are killing neighbors,” ….

After more than a week of some of the most vicious sectarian violence of the war, Baghdad is a skeleton of a city: Many of its shops are shuttered, its streets drained of people. The violence erupted July 9 when Shiite Muslim militiamen rampaged through the al-Jihad neighborhood and killed dozens of Sunni Arabs. By Friday, the sixth day, the death toll in Baghdad stood at 628 people, according to Brig. Gen. Mahmoud Nima of the Interior Ministry, citing a figure that far exceeded the numbers previously suggested by news reports. …. ” [] please read full article here

The major problem there is violence has shifted from Insurgent related actions to direct reprisals over issues as mundane as parking and store shop rivalry. fueled by religious and ethnic tension and sent spiraling with every car bomb and grenade attack the people of Iraq according to this Washington Post report are saying: “We cannot trust anyone.”

The situation in Iraq is indeed a sad one growing worse everyday; Yet in this part of the globe a lot the situations that one threatened to be as bad as some of the fighting in Baghdad have indeed improved in places like Basilan and around parts of the Zamboanga Peninsula, yet violence still manages to break through often for sectarian, tribal;, religious, our poetical reasons still - as the American Chronicle reports.

There was a time when some parts of the Southern Philippine were somewhat albeit on much more local and smaller scale similar to the problems faced by Baghdad’s people.

But violence still continues in many parts of the Southern Philippines, a broadcaster was gunned down in Digos City in Davao Del Sur.

[] Another journalist slain in Philippines
Seattle Post Intelligencer - MANILA, Philippines — A radio broadcaster was gunned down Tuesday in the southern Philippines as he was riding home on a motorcycle, the latest …
Journalist Gunned Down in Philippines Voice of America
Broadcaster killed in Digos City ABS CBN News
Broadcaster shot dead Journal Online … []

One can look at a very good source for information on the issues of the Southern Philippines on the blogsite of Zambo based writer now also featured on a LA based blogsite, Jade Verde’s site he has a lot of stories he can share on the situation there in Zamboanga and other places from his years as a journalist based there.

Even from a distance he reports on things i have not really seen that much aired or seen in print here in Manila. His sources are very good. Like on his report on ambush killing of Isabela, Basilan Mayor in March - most reports put the blame on the ASG and other groups or political rivals but he put a peg on the sotry in his report for American Chronicle.

Jade’s report:

[]… “Ustadz Omar Suhod added: “Demolishing the mosque is an attack to Islam. It is our place of worship, and it is the house of God, and destroying the mosque will only bring troubles because the Muslims are angry. We appeal to our leaders to please spare the mosque”.

Mayor Biel was assassinated, and three of his bodyguards were wounded at the front of the City Hall, at around 12.15 PM on Friday of March 3, 2006. The bodyguards fired back and killed the gunman.…’[]

Jade’s other blogsite

2006-08-28T19:25:00.001-07:00

Philippines:Mass kidnappings pinned on rebel groups -Military

This part of Blogspace reported a few months back about a young man - a teenager from General Santos City who reported being taken to remote location a jungle camp with-in a comples of underground bunkers or caves.

For a weeks there was little follow-up coming from the area until this report seems to make sense and shed light on the culprits that many I have spoken with seem to also show as the most possible group behind the actions.

[] “…militants begin using teenagers as assassins Gulf News, United Arab Emirates - By Claro Cortes, Correspondent. Manila: Filipino militants have begun to use teenagers as assassins in their effort to further push…” []

The area of actual attacks however seems to differ from the mainland mindanao areas where the police reports seem to coincide with the statement of a commanding officer on Jolo Island whose troops increasingly have come across the “Baby Abu’s” or child solders of the ASG or Abu sayyaf group.

[]…” Brig. Gen. Alexander Aleo, Joint Task Force Comet chief, said four soldiers were killed by the Abu Sayyaf Group’s liquidation squad, composed mostly of recruits aged 16 to 20 years, in the past two weeks.” …[] Report linked above

Meanwhile; in what is being tagged as the one of the major successes of the War on Terror in Mindanao where many former strongholds of groups like the ASG have fallen is being reinforced with more social projects alongside police operations and peace keeping and community building - the new ‘expanded version’ of the current Balaikatan has been revealed by the philippines defense secretary Avelino Cruz.

[]…” The new exercise might be held nationwide, including the restive southern region of Mindanao, where U.S. and Filipino troops are planning the construction of bridges, including one that would connect two islands in Tawi-tawi province; roads, school buildings and medical facilities under the “Kapit Bisig.”… []

2006-08-28T19:22:00.001-07:00

A word for our sponsors!

The Commercials (more…)

2006-08-28T19:21:00.001-07:00

Where were you born?

Well… the videos below both of which are actually protest videos carry a strong set of visual message- (more…)

2006-08-28T19:20:00.001-07:00

A time I was a DJ called Mikey…

All of this seems so ‘bogus’ now - (more…)

2006-08-28T19:19:00.002-07:00

Israel telegraphs next war: Target Iran?

If the world just got over the tension and the humanitarian problems of the conflict in Southern Lebanon - here’s the expected or unexpected rumble from the hawks in the Israeli government - fed up over the way the conflict in Lebanon turned out- they now have talked about a through “un-named sources” the possibility they might go it alone in Iran.

SOME REPUBLICANS SAY IRAN THREAT IS PLAYED DOWN…

PAPER: U.S. gave Iran 1st nuclear reactor…

DE BORCHGRAVE: Iran scores in world war…

2006-08-28T19:19:00.001-07:00

Newsday FYITV.Net: Daily News from the Philippines online

Newsday:

August 24th, 2006

Its almost a labor of love a daily newscast we do on FYITV.Net streamed and up to date it keep people aware of the days stories in English. It’s free, fair, and factual.
You get a wrap of the days news and little bit of views from the middle of the road - no sides taken just the news to allow you to listen - we hope soon you’ll also be able to watch the days news and events too.

Click on Image to View:

Let us know what you think….

MIM

2006-08-28T19:16:00.000-07:00

Singapore: PM tells public “Make more babies”

Imagine this - a leader of a nation on national television telling people to do a little less work go home and “…” because the nation needs more people.

It happened in Singapore where work and career has led to a underpopulation problem with a shortfall of 14,000 babies this year alone! In the land of no smoking in public places, spitting, and chewing gum perhaps people thought ‘……” might be a crime also?

[]…” Singapore: Make love, not work By Kalinga Seneviratne
SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has warned Singaporeans that they will either have to produce more babies or welcome more migrants if the country is going to sustain economic growth and living standards. Lee, during his recent National Day speech, estimated that at current birth rates Singapore will need an additional 14,000 babies ” …” [] Asia Times

“See what happens when people are too regulated and too many strictl government policies they forget how to “…” ; my local coffee shop mates tell me! “All thery need to do is ask for 1000 men from metro manila to go to singapore- tell us who needsa lessons- if they want this problem solved in (calculating 14,000 in his head- which one I dont know) 2 weeks”

“give us three weeks and they’ll be over quota for a decade!” says another man seemingly ready to head for the nearest airport and do his service to anyone in singapore who needs his ah er -help!

I am sure this is something no Philippine President, Governor, or, Mayor will ever need to tell the nation, a province, or city here. But as the french would say… ‘Viv‘ la diferance!’

De Venecia: "Congress only needs 2 more to Cha-Cha?"

2006-08-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

My producer gave me the banner headline I use in this blog item today. Nona Cueva is my EP on my short daily news audio stream on www.FYITV.net.

The line covers a press release/story on House of Representatives Media Affiars office story on the Batasan Pambnsa Website. The story is that the house has 192 of the 194 signaturess on the administration backed resolution - needed to convene a constituent assembly .

Hence- Congress needs only two more to Cha-Cha! (charter change)
Like always I take no sides- but as with Nona- could not resist the headline!

Con-As Resolution just 2 signatures shy of Constitutional requirement
28 August 2006 07:04:38 PM

Speaker Jose de Venecia Monday said the House Resolution pushing for a Constituent Assembly as a mode to amend the 1987 Constitution is just two signatures shy of the constitutional requirement of 194 of all the members of Congress. More»

2006-08-27T03:54:00.000-07:00

A bit of good news - reports on Fox News, the Arab channels, The BBC, CNN and other networks have Fox News Duo released in the middle east which is great to hear.

Kidnapped FOX NEWS journalists 'convert to Islam' on new video... Will Be Freed 'Within Hours': Hamas...
At least some things do have happy endings....

2006-08-27T03:41:00.000-07:00

These are my other sites on blogger for some strange reason i cannot update or change them- I hope to migrate them all to this new site.
Talk about a headache!!!!

I liked the old layout system and was just getting used to that one!

Anyhow- happy migration to all!

Mike Cohen - At Large
	Mike in Manila
	Mike in Manila... history time
	mike in manila- eclectic views
	Mike in Manila... cars and wheels
	Mike in manila - Vacation ideas
	Mike in Manila - Technology Notes
	Mike in Manila - A prayer a day
	Mike in Manila - Old Photos and Memories
	Mike in Manila - eclectic dreams
	Mike in Manila - wordpower
	mike in manila - island life
	mike in manila - city nights
	mike in manila - day scape
	mike in Manila - Elvis
	Mike Cohen - War on Terror page
	mikeinmanila-vid...
	MikeinManila-pod...
	Numa-Numa video blog
	mikeinmanila-ove...

2006-08-27T03:28:00.001-07:00

FYITV.Net News features

FYI News Features
July 4th, 2006
From 1946 to the mid-60's, the 4th of July was the day that Filipinos celebrated Independence Day, but for the past 40 years, it has been downplayed to a mere Fil-Am, Friendship Day. But for the American community here, this day marks the two countries' shared values and vision, remembered as intensely as when they fought their common enemies side-by-side. Michael Cohen
Lifestyle Feature
June 6th, 2006
Name a favourite spot in the nation’s capital and Baywalk would surely top the list nowadays. This, after the Manila City government did a total make-over of what was once a dimly-lit bicycle lane frequented by shady characters, transforming it into a vibrant park that appeals to people from all walks of life. —Ron Jalmasco
News Feature
June 1st, 2006
Around 3,000 Filipinos leave the country every day to work abroad. While government acknowledges that Overseas Filipino Workers are the prime movers of the economy, it is alarmed by the inevitability of a brain drain here at home. —Ces Vitan
News Feature
June 1st, 2006 Impassioned speeches and slogans filled the streets of Metro Manila and other Philippine cities on Labor Day, as thousands of the country's work force expressed their frustration over low wages and rising prices of commodities, oil and utility services. —Doris Bigornia.
Environment Feature
May 29th, 2006 It is nice to watch children build their dreams, albeit on sand castles, but to see those dreams fall apart along the banks of a dying river negates the essence of both childlike faith… and dreams. —Ces Vitan
FYI Health Feature
May 24th, 2006 It need not be a fad to be fit. With stress and unhealthy lifestyles, it still pays to be conscious about one's health and well-being.
News Feature
May 18th, 2006 Overseas Filipino Workers are often extolled as heroes, but with every cent they remit back home comes an even bigger sacrifice. Save from enduring the difficulties of working away from home, they face the risk of drifting farther from the family they work hard for. –Ces Vitan
FYI Environment Feature
May 15th, 2006 He could have made it as a bigtime businessman, but Toto Malvar chose to follow God's lead... to go live with His people, nurture them, as they learn to nurture their environment. --By Ron Jalmasco
News Feature
May 14th, 2006
A not-so-uncommon sight during rallies is the big number of children and teens participating—perhaps too young to understand the cause that they, or their elders, are marching for. —Erika Guarino

2006-08-27T03:00:00.000-07:00

Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF): ‘Philippines 9 dead in Dengue epidemic?’

August 20th, 2006t

Reports from the wire services seem to say something we have NOT heard pronounced yet in the official circles about an epidemic.- there have been epidemics in the past.

“ Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), a potentially lethal complication, was first recognized in the 1950s during the dengue epidemics in the Philippines and Thailand, but today DHF affects most Asian countries and has become a leading cause of hospitalisation and death among children in several of them. “ -WHO

Help Lebanon:Manila based aid group for OFW’s & Lebanese

At a meeting held in Manila’s Makati district groups of Filipino & Expat organizations are working together to seek out ways they can Helpl

The goal is to find ways to assist people in Lebanon by doing their part to make themselves available for those people in need. It’s not Politics, here or there.

But just people trying to help those both from there and here and families they worked for… Or companies that provided lively-hood to thirty thousand filipino’s get back on their feet.

In so many disasters here in the Philippines I have covered - both the man made and natural kind - people in places in Lebanon and the middle east did their part by making donations to the red cross and red crescent to assist people in the Philippines in their time of need - so now this group says it is time for them in their own way to their part. As those who can in some way or service or kind do their part to help people there regardless of ideology or faith or political color rebuild their lives after this war that has brought so much of the tragic things that Wars brings - they hope to do their part as well.

MikeinManila gives it’s space- to this and re-posts here the link and ways to reach this group.

God Bless all…

Mike

THE HELP LEBANON MEETING:

Honorary Consulate of Lebanon, Manila

Philippine National
Red Cross

With the assistance of
International SOS

IConnect Inc.
Philippines

Lebanon: saving lives and restoring human dignity

The ongoing conflict in Lebanon is a human catastrophe with hundreds of civilians reported dead, thousands injured and hundreds of thousands displaced. The Lebanese Red Cross Society, through the efforts of its volunteers and with the full support of the ICRC, continues to help the most vulnerable. A report from the ICRC’s Marko Kokic and Ayad Al Mounzer of the Lebanese Red Cross.

A long prayer rings out through loudspeakers across the centre of Beirut. The sombre tone is in keeping with the city’s mood. Streets normally packed with people and traffic remain quiet. Many shops are closed. In the few that remain open, televisions bring today’s news of another day of fighting, another day of horror.

Images of dead and injured civilians caught in the crossfire and the heroic efforts of Lebanese Red Cross paramedics feature on the news bulletins every day. First on the scene, volunteer paramedics rescue the living and recover the dead. Their work is fraught with peril, with only the Red Cross emblem to protect them.

A recent incident proved just how dangerous their work can be. A rocket tore through the roof of an ambulance transporting the injured. It blew a melon-sized hole through the centre of the Red Cross emblem on top of the ambulance. Paramedics suffered minor wounds but a patient lost his leg in the incident.

Red Cross paramedics transport the seriously injured to Beirut’s hospitals. Thousands of civilians have already been wounded. One of them is nine-year old Samah Chihab who is recovering in Beirut Governmental University Hospital. A bomb cut her down as she played in front of her house in the town of Tyre.

The hospital is modern and well equipped but understaffed.

“We have received medical supplies, but no direct medical assistance,” explains Assistant General Manager, Bilal Masri, “Right now we are working at thirty percent of our capacity in terms of human resources because staff have been unable to reach the hospital”.

Many people have already fled raging battles in the south while others remain trapped. Leaving can be as dangerous as staying. Bombed cars litter the road leading south. Some still contain bodies but the security situation in many areas is still too dangerous for Red Cross volunteers to recover them.

An estimated million civilians have been displaced, many taking shelter in schools and other public buildings. Hassan Mohammed Abadi and his family are camped out in a school on Mount Lebanon near Beirut. They arrived only days ago from their southern village of Yatir where they remained amidst the fighting for almost two weeks. When it became unbearable they took a chance and fled, taking only what they could carry.

For those who are seeking to *restore* *contact* *with family members* who may have been impacted by the conflict, please click *HERE *to go to the International Committee of the Red Cross special web site called Family Links.

If you are reading this in a country other than the Philippines and wish to contribute to this effort, kindly contact the RED CROSS or RED CRESCENT society in you country of residence. For a complete list of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies throughout the world, please click *HERE*.

All donations are handled by the Philippine National Red Cross and are coursed
through the International Committee of the Red Cross to the Red Cross in Lebanon.
Donations are used solely by the Red Cross for humanitarian purposes.

For details on how you can HELP LEBANON!,
call the HELP LEBANON! HOTLINE at +632-6334060.
The HELP LEBANON! HOTLINE is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

¶ 1:41 AM 0 comments

Monday, August 14, 2006

Oil Spill threatens Guimeras maritime and tourism Described in a UN issued alert as the Philippines largest oil spill in several decades the oil spill now covers some 15 square kilometers near Guimeras province:

[] MANILA, Aug 14 (Reuters) - The Philippines rushed ships and equipment on Monday to the seas surrounding the central island of Guimaras to stop the country's potentially largest oil spill from spreading to other coastal areas. The Philippine Coast Guard said it had sent two ships to search for two missing crew and help in the clean up of bunker oil that leaked from a tanker which sank near Guimaras on Friday. "Based on an aerial survey yesterday, the spill now covers 15 square nautical miles," Lieutenant Joseph Coyme, Coast Guard spokesman, told Reuters. "If we consider that all 2 million litres of bunker oil spilt, then this would be the largest oil spill in the country," he added. []

Reports are still coming in from the area surrounding the province and also nearby areas to ¶ 5:53 PM 0 comments

Thirsty commute: No liquids in ships, planes, trains!

It may be a ‘Dry Commute’ for many used to chugging down a fruit drink or coke or Latte en-route to work or on the way home for next few days and weeks as reports say for the time being no fluids or liquids will be allowed on planes, trains, and ships in the country.

If the extent of this kind of situation makes one wonder if somebody will install- machines that vend- not only Safe drinking water and other things but also - 'BOMB SAFE' drinks will be put into place.

Considering there is little room anyway during commute times on the MRT and LRT I understand. On planes - well they are supposed to provide drinks- at least water anyhow- ships? well that might be a little harder to enforce for the coast guard and PPA - keep in mind that there are already bomb checks, dogs, and pat down searches in place at most points of transit in the Philippines anyhow.

But as I posted in another blog the 'all spin zone' - anything to make people safe is ok.

Philippines bans liquids on ferries, trains and buses
People's Daily Online, China - 1 hour ago
The Philippine government banned on Monday passengers from brining liquids inside ferries, trains and buses, after liquids were banned from airplanes last ...
UK-triggered alert spreads to MRT, LRT INQ7.net

So we will wait and see what the situation will bring as we look at the overall picture of the NO DRINKS POLICY goes into effect. Yes- there have been many instances where people often do not understand that a lot of the attempts by these groups to sow terror in any form they can are indeed backed by real hard facts.

The facts are that this place we all call home - Metro Manila - and the Philippines has in the past been used as a testing ground for those who wish to carry out attacks and techniques elsewhere.

What is good for world to know is also the same places that serve as a lab for terror are also turning out to be places where solutions for peace are being worked out.

The more people understand that there is no need to use those bombs and attacks and kidnappings to get their way.

And instead fight for their rights using peaceful means to address grievances over differences of opinion then there is less and less need for violence.

Til then there is still a need for vigilance…. So drop that Coke or Pepsi in a trash can – or pass on the Figaro takeout or forget that bottle of Wilkins – hopefully soon – some way will be found to deal with this threat soon- until then its going to be ‘dry’ on the commuter routes – perhaps the water and soft drink companies can get concessions’ inside or even better – drinking fountains can be put up at the train stations, airports, and ferry piers?

¶ 5:22 PM 0 comments

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Report says JI-ASG: beheads kidnap victim

August 12th, 2006

A report by the Zamboanga based journal says that the military says that one of two kidnap victims has reportedly been beheaded in Jolo, Sulu. This comes in the wake of claims by the Military of having been able to foil attacks and amidst heightened security after a on-going operation versus rebels in the area of Indanan and patikul towns in Sulu.

[] ” … Sayyaf Hostage Is Beheaded In Jolo Island

Filed under: — zamboangajournal @

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 12 Aug) Suspected Abu Sayyaf militants beheaded one of their two kidnapped victims in Jolo island, about 950 km south of Manila, where security forces were battling the terrorist group tied to the Indonesian Jemaah Islamiya network, officials said Saturday. …” []

The report comes on the heels of statements from the Government of having foiled attacks being planned by the joint JI and Abu sayyaf group in the area - perhaps to have been timed with the attempts to sow terror on flights over the Atlantic?

[] ” …. NSA chief warns nation of Islamic ‘sympathy attacks’ 8/12/2006 1:33:39 AM … ‘ [] ABS-CBN News.com

There are often times a failure by some to see the true global picture of many of the attacks of these groups are so close in when they happen - take Madrid bombings for example - then the superferry 14 bombing then at the same time a series of attacks in Iraq and a few in Thailand. All often with-in a 48 hour to a week long period. A day ago there was a set of bomb attacks in Kidapawan and clash with police in a area near Cotabato. The situation makes it not hard to see that global netowrks are at times coincidence filled in timing or more of regualr pattern of each group doing something to show they are still around.

Entry Filed under: Uncategorized, news, News and politics, pirates, Iraq, asia, war on terror, terrorism, Views, war, philippines, Democrats, Afghanistan, immigration, Filipino, Bush, freedom of speech, Buhay ofw, East Timor, republican, border security, free speech, al qaeda, Dubai, Al Gore, abu sayyaf, fil-am, filipino-american, Jemaah Islamiah, World War 3, Arroyo

¶ 2:35 PM 0 comments

Bojinka: Liquid bomb plot over Atlantic part of old Al Qaeda plan…

This aborted plot in the UK - to place bombs aboard airliners - seems so much like the Oplan Bojinka plot the Philippine National Police recovered from a Apartment on Quirino Ave. in Manila about ten years ago.

the stuff recovered from the rent apartment on the top floor of the Dona Josefa at 711 Quirino Ave, Manila. It was here where Kallihd Shiek Mohamad and Ramsey Yousef were ploting to a number of attacks from Manila and Asia.

They had plan the reports say way back when to place bombs and or hijack flights to the USA. The Bomb plot called for the planes to be exploded over the Pacific while other planes would be crashed into buildings. It was recevered from a PC and some documents found in the apartment which had a fire in mid or early January of 1995 - the group had several plots going then. They also used a bomb at the greenbelt theater in Makati- They actually used one Bomb on a flight bound for Japan from the Philippines.

[]… On December 11, 1994, Yousef built another bomb, which had one tenth of the power that his final bombs were planned to have, in the lavatory of the aircraft and left it inside the life jacket under his seat, 26K, after he got off the plane from a flight that arrived in Cebu. Yousef had boarded the flight under the assumed name of Armaldo Forlani, using a false Italian passport. The aircraft was Philippine Airlines Flight 434 using that aircraft on a Manila to Narita route. Yousef had set the timer for four hours after he got off the aircraft. The bomb exploded while the aircraft was over Minami Daito Island, near Okinawa, Japan. A Japanese businessman named Haruki Ikegami was killed after the bomb detonated. The Boeing 747-200 safely made an emergency landing in Naha, Okinawa. None of the aircraft’s other 272 passengers or any members of the crew were killed, although 10 passengers in front of Ikegami were injured. … []

The plot was uncovered versus numerous flights across the pacific - when a fire broke out at the apartment - and one of the confessed conspirators; Abdul Hakim Murad went to the apartment to attempt to recover some of the items left there.

Murad - was the key to the Philippine National Police investigation- which led to capture of Yousef in Pakistan - Murad tried to walk into the apartment and take away the papers and computer and discs, but a quick thiniking police woman then - arrested him- it was the worlds first real view of Al Qaeda’s - its beginings.

there is an extensive entry on the original plot here - amazing how much was learned so early on - more than 11 years ago… about these types of plans.

Korea Issues travel warning: Philippines & Indonesia

mikeinmanila wrote 1 day ago: The Government of the single largest group of Asian tourists of late to stream to these islands, Korea has issued … more

2006-08-27T02:56:00.000-07:00

I had to create a new blog area because of some wierd error on my original blog which I cannot understand blogger sys itsfixed- no it is not!

While the blogger info base of knowledge says this - I'm getting this still:

Some users are seeing a “001 java.io.IOException: No space left on device” error message when publishing to Blog*Spot. We’re on it.

Update, 1PM: This has been fixed. Posted by Pete at 09:23 PDT

Testing to see if this will post!

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