In theory, a strict no ransom policy makes sense. However, it becomes untenable if the authorities lose the moral ascendancy to insist upon such a policy. That moral ascendancy is dependent upon the authorities:
1. Having a no-exceptions track record with regards to hostage-tacking;
2. Having a credible (though not necessarily perfect) record of rescuing hostages, which puts forward the strong possibility that the authorities have the skills and political will necessary to effect a rescue;
3. Having an acceptable batting average as far as the apprehension, trial, and conviction, of hostage-takers or, barring that, are credible in the cases in which hostage-takers end up liquidated by the authorities.
And all of the above requires, in turn, that the authorities have a certain amount of goodwill and legitimacy as far as the public is concerned, in case things go wrong and the hostages end up killed by the hostage-takers or the rescuers. Contrast the way Japan handled its citizens being held hostage in Iraq with the way our government handled the abduction of de la Cruz.
In the absence of these, the authorities are at a disadvantage in urging the families of hostages not to succumb to the desire to secure the liberty of their loved ones by all means necessary, including the payment of ransom.
Since the government caved in, in the case of Angelo de la Cruz in Iraq, scuttling its closeness to Washington in the process, the government abandoned item 1; it has a mixed record as far as items 2 and 3 are concerned, because its own shortcomings have been magnified by the harsh but understandable lack of enthusiasm on the part of its former close allies, to go that extra mile for a fickle Philippine government.
As its been unfolding, the story seems to be that the kidnapping of Ces Drilon and party was a case of officials running a kidnapping syndicate instead of primarily being another Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom event. The situation’s made murky by the way some of the people involved seem to change affiliations at the drop of the hat and how the credentials and even motives of those identified with the rescue are being challenged.
A lengthy text message in circulation is a case in point, and I put it forward not as an endorsement of any probative value it may have, but as an indication of what’s being talked about (and speculated upon):
I was at a luncheon mtg w Ed Espiritu. He is an unimpeachable source re Ces Drilon kidnap. He is family, brother of mom of ces. He can’t believe d gall of Loren daw. She got into d picture only after family of Ces paid 5M. That’s when first cameraman was released. They had to pay some more for d release of the Ces and Jimmy. Ces felt she had no choice but to go along w Loren’s script. Loren even directed plane to taxi more to change position so they would be facing camera when dey disembark & she told Ces that she has to emerge from plane first and dat Ces should follow only after 10 mins. And now Loren and Ed Angara want Ces to seek an audience w GMA. Ces knows she’s being used but at d time of her release she felt she had no choice. By d way d family also thinks dat d mayor being held now is guilty. He & Loren were also d ones who negotiated w kidnappers of Arlene de la Cruz w same MO.
(update, Saturday: see Of Political Poison Texts and Criminal Aliases for details on this SMS message, the aspersions of which Edgardo Espiritu publicly denies; though Patricio Mangubat thinks Legarda’s not quite off the hook)
What we do know is headlined as follows: Dinampo: Guide betrayed us, as well as TV reporter’s family paid P5M but mayor kept P3M–officials and Puno: Proof indicates Isnaji masterminded kidnapping. Note the assertions of the government, what the text message going around says, and this report in MindaNews: Dinampo: no basis to charge Mayor Isnaji for kidnapping; says Biyaw “should be debriefed, too”. Curiouser and curiouser.
This is still very far from the allegations that Legarda was in cahoots with local officials: and I don’t suppose the government would put the squeeze on those officials if it would imperil Legarda.
But it is interesting that the latest official revelations zero in on the culpability of local officials, when the government started beating the war drums for a military offensive.
My own suspicions was that the kidnapping involved officialdom in one way or another, most especially considering the Hawks in the present administration who would be pleased for tensions to escalate in the South.
The manner in which the government, normally eager to downplay bad news until it can be properly managed, jumped the gun and neutralized the media embargo on the kidnapping, made me wonder if it wasn’t a trap sprung on Drilon to put the fear of the Abu on any journalist inclined to sniff around Moro areas. When it began to leak out that some sort of official participation in the kidnapping was a possibility serious enough to consider (and serious enough to scuttle the warmongering outcome some might have desired), I got even more nervous, and seriously contemplated the possibility that a solution held in reserve might be, to simply liquidate the hostages and blame it on the hostage-takers or as part of “collateral damage,” which would spook journalists even more. But then again, being an army brat, the decent part of the armed forces wouldn’t have knowingly permitted Drilon to be killed.
But then my assumption that there’s a War Party in the government, and my further assumption that the AFP, as an institution, doesn’t think that that way, and if we assume, further, that there remains a reservoir of professionalism within the armed forces, then they were probably aware of this -see Threats from Abu Sayyaf wane: CTC report – ahead of the public. Which means even those tasked with mounting an offensive would have been hard-pressed to pursue a Ghost Army.
This may explain these two interesting responses from two services that would be at the forefront of any offensive: see Marine chief uneasy with AFP’s all-out-war vs bandits and No need to boost air power in Mindanao, says PAF.
In the first place, our officers know that if the mission is to identify, and neutralize, bandit groups, that calls for different tactics than would be required for a traditional land, sea, and air offensive over something larger like a pseudo army of rebels. The martial traditions of the region’s inhabitants would dictate even those unaffiliated with the bandits to mobilize against the government out of an instinctive religious and tribal solidarity. This would only increase the logistical and other problems of the military.
notes of marichu c. lambino also points to another kind of infighting that may be taking place, tied to a long-standing debate (and confusion) on the Ramos-era (I believe) policy that the Philippine National Police should be in charge of counter-insurgency and the skepticism of the armed forces over the practicality of such a division of labor:
What has escaped unnoticed up to now was: this was the debut, on the national stage, of the Philippine National Police as busters of the Abu Sayyaf and jungle bandits (if those were the real perpetrators). Of course, they haven’t busted the kidnapping band but the leads gathered are a good start. If memory serves right, for more than a decade and up until the kidnapping of Fr. Giancarlo Bossi, it was the Marines (and other AFP units) under those brigadier generals, that’ve tried to catch the Abu Sayyaf, rescue hostages and engage the kidnappers and bandits, at great, great cost: in terms of fatalities, beheadings, indiscriminate bombings, wars, military operations, refugees, resources, money hundreds of millions, escaped bandits laughing, aggravation, wasted time, etc. We suffered the AFP military generals for decades.
(Saturday update: see Uniffors on why the PNP hasn’t fully taken over counter-insurgency operations)
But there are good reasons to believe that a faction within the administration thinks letting loose the dogs of war would be convenient and satisfying, politically. Which is why I don’t think it would be wrong to consider that the recent revelations concerning who actually abducted Drilon, ought to be viewed from the perspective of competing factions within the administration. One thing that never changes in government (any government) is that there will always be turf wars and factional divisions within any administration.
Consider the possibility of the following taking place behind the scenes.
One faction would love to use the incident to drum up support for military action; another, would prefer not to rock the boat at this time, as it will have repercussions not just domestically, but regionally: a Malaysian government on the verge of losing power, will not put time or energy into helping keep the MILF in check, for example, and Indonesia has its own problems and the USA is in the closing months of a lame duck administration. Just consider the financial drain combined military operations represents, and who on earth could finance it. Our government? But it’s busy fending off the effects of the oil and rice price increases.
The President, like any president, derives a great deal of her political effectiveness from playing off one faction against the other, and seeing which turf to protect and which to permit others to encroach upon. This applies to domestic politics as it does to international relations.
The President could, conceivably, be gearing up to go to Washington to try to mend fences by offering to launch an offensive in Mindanao, so long as Uncle Sam foots the bill: Republicans eager to open up a new front to keep the War on Terror on center stage might consider it. If the President could then be assured of a credit line from Washington to finance operations in Mindanao, then the Hawks could get what they want. But if not, she cannot afford to fritter away resources pursuing an offensive that would then make her already tenuous budgetary situation even worse. Australia (see Aust pledges support for offensive against Abu Sayyaf) for example, could serve as a conduit for covert American financing or even chip in, but until the President can iron things out in Washington, it would be better to de-escalate things, for now, at least.
There is also a cultural dimension here independent of ideology, which is, the culture of banditry in the hinterlands (a geographical thing, wherever there are mountain ranges to shelter bandit groups), and a more specific one among some Moro societies, that harks back to the centuries of slave-raiding expeditions by Moro pirates. As the Inquirer editorial (which basically said that Abu link may be better described as “Abu Sayyaf, Teen Edition”) pointed out today,
Flashback to last week: When the news of the Drilon kidnapping spread, it was reported that many young people in parts of Sulu were lining up to join the Abu Sayyaf. The common reason: They wanted to share in the bounty of the expected ransom.
As it stands, the questions arising from the immediate aftermath of the kidnapping -the apprehension of of the mayor-intermediary and his son and their being whisked off to Manila, as reported by Ding G. Gagelonia (his coverage of the whole thing deserves an award)- raised by observers like The Write Stuff, the suspicions expressed by Patricio Mangubat, the criticisms made by Nick in FilipinoVoices.com, and even the conspiracy theories summed up by whatsikat.com, are all coming to a confusing head. This is not being helped by media throwing caution to the winds the moment the hostage taking drama seemed about to end. As khanterbury tales puts it, it’s a media feast now, much breathless reportage but little along the lines of figuring out if government’s lying (or not, and why, in either case), though she does point to this commentary in the Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project.
The Moro view is put forward by Julkipwi Wadi, of the UP Institute of Islamic Studies, and written shortly before the release of the hostages. It raises several issues (which I’ve placed in bold) to consider:
It’s sad
by JULKIPLI WADI, UP institute of Islamic Studies
The kidnapping of Ces Drilon and other crew of ABS-CBN including Prof. Octavio Dinampo of Mindanao State University-Sulu underscores the worsening uncertainty Muslim Mindanao particularly the Sulu Province has become these past few years. Despite government’s pontification to bring peace and development into the area while brandishing America’s aid and military assistance notwithstanding the U.S. military presence in the Sulu Archipelago, all these prove inadequate if not useless to eradicate social disenchantment and restlessness of the people as shown in the continuing presence of armed resistance including the persistence of radical group like Abu Sayyaf how unconventional they may have become.
With the kidnapping of Ces et al, it is clear what the government has simply addressed these past years were simply the surface and other peripheral issues of the Mindanao conflict — not core, the root cause of the problem, which is primarily the desire of the people to have their freedom, peace and justice. It proves once more that economic assistance including physical development poured into the area including availability of cellular phones to anyone, while they help some people including the entrenchment of political dynasties in Moro areas, can also be utilized by radical groups like the ASG to facilitate their mobility and movement including their communication in negotiating the fate of their kidnapped victims like Ces and her companions. By employing divide-and-rule tactics among Moro movements, the government has reaped what it sowed: it is severely constrained now whom to reach out in Sulu to serve as its partner of peace and development in the face of amoeba-like mushrooming of various radical groups in the area. Hence, the kidnapping of Ces and company raises the question whether it shows the continuing tenacity and resilience of the Abu Sayyaf or whether there is a policy blunder by the government or strategic failure in terms of tactics and intelligence by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in addressing the Mindanao conflict recently. Such uncertainty should have been properly understood by Philippine media.
Ironically, Ces Drilon should have been the last person to be victimized by alleged new group of Abu Sayyaf. As a friend, she has interviewed me of this subject several times in the past making her, in my view, one of the most informed and culturally sensitive TV journalists of the ABS-CBN as far as the Mindanao conflict including the Abu Sayyaf issue is concerned. While she might have the right judgment in trying to interview some people in the Abu Sayyaf in Maimbung in Sulu, despite the presence of local guide, having such judgment and guide how proper and reliable they may have been are not enough. They can hardly be relied upon since it is uncertainty that dominates the whole political and cultural make up the Sulu Province and other areas have become today. Even a native like me who was born and raised in Indanan does not just tread to unfamiliar territory of Sulu without proper coordination. The worsening uncertainty has long shocked me. Sulu today has never been like our days in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
Sadly however, the media has been short in understanding the Mindanao issue including the failure to treat objectively the unconventional politics, events and movements in southern Philippines . Their treatment of Muslim issue is generally devoid of proper context and cultural sensitivity. Regrettably, some media have fallen prey into one-sided rhetoric of the government and foreign interest. It’s sad news but true. It is time for the media to check themselves. –julkipli wadi
Two things i mentioned in the previous comments:
1. ransom mark-up= kidnappers demand an amount; “negotiators or midllemen” jacked up the amount
2. the kidnappers don’t release the hostage without money changing hands; call it by any name to save face, it is still ransom.
even if the employer won’t pay, do you think the relatives would not sell their soul just to raise money for the ransom fee?
btw it is not new; it has been going on ever since kidnapping became a livelihood project for some groups of people.
So these were kidnappers, and therefore we treat them as we do other kidnappers, that is, we launch mortars and fire howitzers and airstrikes at them. Standard police procedures.
There are two historical considerations: (1) the war of national liberation that Nur Misuari and the MNLF launched in the 60s and 70s, which failed because most Moros don’t actually have a sense of nationhood any more than most Filipinos. (2) the global jihad of Usama bin Laden which has deep roots here through the work of Khalid Sheik Mohammed and Ramzi Youssef whose upcoming trials in the US will reveal them to be not only Al Qaeda affilitates but Iraqi intelligence agents who help fund the Abu Sayyaf as well as the MILF/MNLF in the 90s.
The time for a Moro war of national liberation has passed the players by and I think even they know it. The MNLF was bought off with ARMM, whilst the MILF wants to be similarly bought off by being handed a new Bangsamoro homeland that would also absorb the ARMM. But the MNLF and MILF hate each other even more than they hate the govt.
FVR was deluded when he thought peace would come to Mindanao by striking a deal with MNLF/Nur Misuari. It is equally deluded for anyone to think that striking a deal with MILF/Hashim Salamat/al Had Murad will likewise bring peace.
The reason is that neither force has ever been a legitimate group to negotiate with because they do not, cannot or will not control events on the ground. In a sense both movements are really just large scale kidnap for ransom movements in which we are all hostages. Negotiating with one and paying them off with “peace talks” leading to 50 billion pesos worth of autonomy, or the new proposed Bangsamorostan, only encourages more of the same tactic.
The hawks of which you speak are just those who understand this reality. But they have no real solution either.
Until these grand historical processes work themselves out however, we cannot suspend the Constitution or make exceptions for Mindanao on the matter of Law and Order.
That is why it is entirely proper that the Philippine National Police take charge in Mindanao. They have the entire Revised Penal Code to enforce, as well as the Human Security Act, which however is “damaged goods” thanks to certain “human rights legislators” who were actually able to craft a Terrorist Bill of Rights.
On this point, I think that charges ought to be brought up against Jess Dureza, Rodolfo Garcia and Ben Dolorfino for aiding and abetting terrorists last year in the matter of the Marine ambuscades and beheadings, which have not seen justice done in the name of their “peace negotiations.” Remember they stopped the service of arrest warrants because it involved many MILF members (who btw admitted to doing the ambushes, denying only the beheadings). These jerks obstructed justice even as the Basilan police was ready to pounce on their “partners in the peace process.)
My feeling is that the conspiracy of the war party was derailed when Maramma Hasim pointed to known military agent Juamil “Maming†Biyaw as the missing link. That revelation introduced an element of doubt as to affiliation of the kidnappers and threw a monkey wrench at the Clash of Civilizations angle. You can see it’s effect even in your blog discussions…
http://www.quezon.ph/1820/the-embargo/#comment-827363
The drumbeats for war prior to the above breaking news (by commenter Splice) was afterwards replaced by the sound of crickets chirping.
Just as everyone suspected!
Loren Legarda doesn’t care!
She just wants media mileage.
Ive said this in a couple of comments on this blog: We need a law to make it illegal for the military to be used against citizens without congressional approval. Under this law, any president who so orders the military to go after citizens without the express approval of congress is impeachable.
Sorry for my poor sentence construction above (at 6:27 pm ). Commenter Splice delivered the breaking news (not the drumbeats).
old article on the lamitan hostage situation.
http://web.archive.org/web/20020214214344/http://www.helsinki-hs.net/news.asp?id=20020205IE2
Greed of Philippines Army elements may be a security hazard for U.S. troops
Helsingin Sanomat probe into hospital siege offers grim portrait of Abu Sayyaf and AFP collusion
Loren Legarda will do anything just to grab public attention( from making “sawsaw” on the hostage issue to appearing in giant billboards for Lucida DS whitening cream.)
She takes the cue for her mentor, Ed Angara,the master of this type of political opportunism.
No different from her old schoolmate,Gloria.Anything for a photo-op!
it all started with Lamitan. until now, the generals who oversaw that scandal have never been brought to justice. with Lamitan, Abu Sayyaf went from strength to strength, and would’ve grown larger if only the americans didn’t bring in the technology and firepower to finally hunt them down. and even then…
well, kidnapping is a lucrative business and as long as victims are paying, kidnappings will continue. there’s this story told to me about a businessman na suki na ng mga kidnappers. he’s been kidnapped 5 ot 6 times and has paid ransom every time. anyway, for him 6M is peanuts compared with his life.
well, at least he has reached a reputation for being a reliable payor, hence his life will reasonable be always safe when kidnapped.
anyway, about Loren Legarda, matagal ko na alam ang ka plastikan nya. i’ve never voted for her.
and so with the rest of the presidentiables. except maybe for Bayani. maybe i’ll vote for Bayani if there’s no one else.
that’s Bayani Fernando, btw.
Politics has been defined as “who gets what, when, and how” The lady senator-politician has internalized this definition having negotiated ‘successfully’ eight times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rppHqdK2HbU
‘No RANSOM paid’ – Senator LOREN LEGARDA insists!
If Loren and Angara are making mileage out of this incident for their political gain (2010 for Loren) and their efforts backed by this Gloria administration, then my ten wins twenty Loren is the annointed one for 2010.
Sorry, my ten wins five na lang, hehehe, and that’s final.
Whatever they were trying to do in terms of scamming the west into coughing up dinero just back-fired on these genius for a botched up amateur kidnapping scheme to pave the way for an “all out war” against the ASG, kuno.
It played well with the alarmist and romanticist with “news” about the “child soldiers” holding Ces Drillon and company which I believe was part of the drama of “subduing” the insurrection while it is in its “infancy,” literally to say the least, hahaha.
This is the only “political” KFR incident I have seen where the politicians and other attention grabbing officials are doing the talking while nary a pipsqueak was heard from the “terrorist” rebels….. that alone is a give away that this maybe a staged “moro-moro” using the press as their stage in a play to silence and intimidate Arroyo’s enemies while quenching the thirst of the salivating war mongers.
“The President could, conceivably, be gearing up to go to Washington to try to mend fences by offering to launch an offensive in Mindanao, so long as Uncle Sam foots the bill”.
Sweet.
The President is leaving this Saturday for 10-day shopping in the US. She will be seeing not only President Bush but Senator McCain and Senator Obama. San Francisco Consul General Marciano Paynor Jr. confirmed that the meeting is getting-to-know type, to me it is feeling the pulse of US doleouts.
Arroyo’s agenda includes benefits of Filipino WW2 veterans, investments, rice (not that US is growing rice but money is largely appreciated), human rights (to release funds tied to human rights violations) terrorism, global and regional security (Uncle Sam to foot the bill).
Just in time after the release of Ces Drillon by kidnappers with alleged ties to US global enemy Al Queda.
Time to clarify my self of my previous comment:
I was refering to government forces or AFP in general including past administrations.
I still say bullshit! to anyone who says that wars are artificial to justify afp’s budget.
That is no longer nagtutulog tulogan or ignorance of being a sleep that is being catatonic.
I also say bullshit to the ES claims that only thousands of pesos exchanged hands and that he is only relying on news reports and his experience as a negotiator.And that is in front of malacanang press akala ba nya walang nanonood ng nbn4 na di naman masyadong bilib sa kanila?
that is insulting of our intelligence?
now what is puno up to,taking all the credit that he carefully and skillfully handled the whole situation.
https://www.quezon.ph/1825/money-for-nothing-and-your-checks-for-free/#comment-833927
“…..for those saying that the government create wars to justifyy its budget, BULLSHIT!!!!!”
Loren is always there pag me hostaged or kidnappedlook at her campaign commercials “in your face “na nandun sya nung me nakidnap ng npa na sundalo,etc.
minsan matino naman ang announcement ni Mirriam ewan ko lang kung bawiin nya to pag nag commercial sya .
huwag daw iboto lahat ng mga kandidato na may mga commercials ngayon pa lang.
true, anyone who don’t speak , provide written plan, documented process of implementation and policymaking will not make good candidate.
i don’t know you about Philippines candidate. I don’t trust any of these people.
correction: i don’t know you about Philippines candidate.. ” ignore grammar mistake..
it simply means. I don’t know anybody except just their names.
leytenian,
Di bale, relax ka lang dyan sa florida
send more kids to school. speaking of sending kids to school and other foundations…me isa pang commenter dito na ofw who does that:
si rego, and there maybe hundreds more.
bilib ako sa inyo kahit na ayaw nyo magpatawag na bayani.
KG,
there’s plenty of pinoy organizations in the US that are actually helping their town, children in their town or their churches. In my observation to most of the pinoy professionals in the US , most of them are praying for Hope. some are very discouraged, the way our government system is being managed. Most of us here are trained to perform efficiently, the first day of work. Hindi puede dito magtulog tulogan. The moment we sign an employment contract, its policy and guidelines must be followed or else , you will be fired. it’s a system of civilized society. you have to perform well. One good thing about filipinos.. we are efficient if the organization is efficient. most pinoy professionals are highly respected by the whites, the blacks and the Hispanics… That’s why.. I have high Hopes for our country. Something must be done right.
“If Loren and Angara are making mileage out of this incident for their political gain (2010 for Loren) and their efforts backed by this Gloria administration, then my ten wins twenty Loren is the annointed one for 2010.”Bert
Loren and Gloria are so similar in many ways(except for their looks):
1)both have problem husbands.
2)both are opportunistic.
3)both have had good political mentors (nani,ed a.)
4)both went to the same girls’school
5)both are overly ambitious
Most importantly,both will do ANYTHING to attain their political goals!
Manolo: my two deposits in my emotional bank account (stephen covey)with you:
1)your new website format rocks!
2)your New articles are so informative and clear(not a hodge-podge).
KG,
since you are in business consulting… here’s a good money making machine for you… The way I look at it … many developers and housing development are marketing the OFW to purchase property in the Philippines. This is good marketing but maybe bad for our economy. The money invested by our OFW by purchasing a condo or a house is stagnant. It will not grow and maybe will build equity a little. My point is , this type of investment from OFW’s do not create employment. Only the developers will make money.
Try gathering 10 different franchises, any 10 different businesses ( retail) that you think may work considering market forces. Provide a business plan, start up capital, and projected income statement. Create a contract between your company and the business that you have the exclusive right to market its product to the US.
Charge your work at your discretion. let’s say 15% of total investment cost. Your fee should be collected at closing the deal. But you can also offer more services, like taxation, ongoing training and other business solution. 2-5 million pesos of initial investment is very affordable by any professional filipino. a doctor can easily be offered a jollibee franchise. it’s a matter of knowing what business we are in… what about chowking , rest area and 7 eleven… I have seen these many retails when I was in manila… it’s working. also.. suf shops in siargao… cruise line… or travel ageny… many small business. our small business are the same in the US except for the change of business names and target market. But the concept of trade is almost the same.
The mayor who is now being charged to be the master mind of Ces kidnapping could have done this type of money making. That was foul.
john marzan,
hey, i am posting the link as a file/reference in my blog.
you sure are an archive specialist.
Leytenian,
apprentice pa lang ako ng tatay ko sa consulting,madami pa akong kakaining bigas.kailangan me mapgkakitaan kaya I am exposing myself to it iba iba di related coconut.construction,power plant . sa ngayon ang nagpapasahod sakin senado pati yun linalagari ng tatay ko kelangan kumita e .
speaking of real estate,I have tried that being as an agent in one of the developers and as a freelance agent to assist a broker friend. full time ang kailangan nung empleyado ka kailangan 7 days ka lumalagari tapos you get discouraged if you see others who are lucky kahit na anong gawin nila swerte sila.. yung iba minamalas kahit masipag kaya nasa diskarte yan.Kaya korek ka dyan leytenian!
blib you me, franchising been there done that. sa food and beverage a french restaurant pero sister ko ang lumakad nagyon we are pulling out all our shares. we were part owners of themaster franchise of creppes de france. ang ganda pakinggan ng pangalan di nga lang malaman kung low end o high end sila.
sa retail. If you are not a henry sy, gokongwei mag avon lady ka na lang
mas tumatagal pa avon lady sa lahat ng multi level tulad ng nuskin,for ever living,herbalife.,herbal gels ano ba yung ke mike defensor mas tumagal pa ang avon sa lahat ng yon,they are the pioneers of direct selling, after all.
sa mga call centers dito nag lalaban ang ministop at seven eleven at at iba pa nag 24/7 na din like starbucks .
palagay ko consultant ka.
the joke is leave the consulting to them when it comes to implementation don’t look for them.
speaking of john marzan:
Thanks you for posting the nba schedules!
you’re welcome.
John,
wrong spelling pala thank you ko.
=========================================
“It also offered a cynical answer on the Philippine army’s little intention of finishing the job because it “would end the pipeline of U.S. training and military assistance”. ”
langyang vfa yan lalo tuloy di matuloy tuloy ang modernization.
sabagay no money,no honey.me mga nagsasabi na nga na mataas masyado ang budget ng afp.
i remember former national defence college head professor carlos even suggesting to scrap he afp and rely on foreign forces and our pnp.
=========================================
http://www.gppb.gov.ph/laws_rules08/laws/RA_7898.pdf
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7898
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
SECTION 1. Short Title.  This Act shall be known as the “AFP Modernization Act.”
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy.  It is hereby declared the policy of the State to modernize the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to a level where it can effectively and fully perform its constitutional
mandate to uphold the sovereignty and preserve the patrimony of the Republic of the Philippines.
Toward this end, the principal thrusts of the modernization program under this Act shall be:
(a) The development of a self-reliant and credible strategic armed force along the concept of a
“Citizens Armed Force”; the reconfiguration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines structure;
and the professionalization of the AFP;
(b) The undertaking of reforms in the recruitment, training, employment and management of
AFP personnel;
(c) The development, validation or modification of AFP doctrines;
(d) The acquisition and upgrading of appropriate technology and equipment; and
(e) The relocation, improvement, and construction of bases and other facilities.
…….
Sec. 5. Development of AFP Capabilities.  The AFP modernization program shall be geared towards
the development of the following defense capabilities:
(a) Development of naval defense capability  Given the archipelagic nature of the Philippines,
the Philippine Navy (PN) shall develop its capabilities for naval defense, amphibious warfare,
sealift and transport, and surface warfare; naval gunfire support, detection and maritime
surveillance, search and rescue, disaster response as well as capabilities for anti-air, antisubmarine
and mine warfare. The enhanced navy defense capabilities shall enable the AFP to:
(1) Develop its capabilities for naval defense;
(2) Conduct amphibious operations for both military and civilian relief operations;
(3) Defend the Philippine territorial seas, all its internal waters, as well as its 200-mile
exclusive economic zone (EEZ), from all forms of illegal intrusion or passage;
(4) Protect all submarine-based lines of domestic and international communication;
(5) Identify all vessels and monitor all kinds of surface and submarine passage through
Philippine territorial waters;
(6) Protect and preserve, through the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), all coastal, nearcoastal
and riparian living and nonliving marine resources;
(7) Provide transportation of personnel and material in times of natural disaster and
rescue operations; and
(8) Provide, and if practicable, manufacture, through Filipino skills and technology, its
own requirements for seacraft and infrastructure supply and maintenance.
(b) Development of air defense capability.  The Philippine Air Force (PAF), being the
country’s first line of external defense shall develop its air defense capability by acquiring multirole
aircraft, air munitions, avionics, point and area defense missile system, maritime patrol and
reconnaissance, and early warning and control system, as well as capabilities for strategic and
battlefield airlift and limited ground attack in support of surface forces. The enhanced air
defense capability shall enable the AFP to:
(1) detect, identify, intercept and engage, if necessary, any aircraft illegally intruding
into or passing through Philippine airspace, up to areas near or around Philippine
territorial limits;
(2) Provide air support to Philippine ground and naval armed forces;
(3) Provide airlift, search and rescue, rapid deployment and related support in combat
as well as disaster and other civilian relief operations; and
(4) Provide, and if practicable, manufacture, through Filipino skills and technology, its
own requirements for aircraft and infrastructure supply and maintenance.
(c) Development of ground defense capability  The fragmented nature of Philippine land
territory requires the Philippine Army (PA) to develop its capabilities for ground defense and
internal security as well as its capability for assistance to national development, search and
rescue operations, relief and rehabilitation, natural resources and environmental protection.
The enhanced army defense capabilities shall enable the AFP to:
(1) Locate and maintain adequate ground forces in strategic sites in the major islands
of the country capable of carrying out independent or joint defense operations;
(2) Transport personnel and equipment rapidly through all kinds of terrain in all kinds of
weather conditions;
(3) Conduct disaster relief and civilian engineering and construction operations;
(4) Monitor compliance with the enforcement, as the proper government agency may
require, all laws relating to the preservation and protection of forest, wildlife and
mineral resources; and
(5) Provide, and if practicable, manufacture, through Filipino skills and technology, its
own requirements for personnel and infrastructure supply and maintenance.
(d) Development of general headquarters capability  The modernization of the AFP further
requires the development of the general headquarters capabilities for command, control,
communications, and information systems network.
On the text message, one of two things: either it is true, or it is a hatchet job. Your link to Mr. Gagelonia’s post says it’s a hatchet job ‘at its very surface’. Which leads me to wonder why a conspiracy against the senator is the conclusion ‘at its very surface’ when we have no info to decide one way or the other. Why can’t it be true at its very surface? The fact is right now we dont know one way or the other.
This was what I was talking about when I commented on one of DJB’s posts in his blog. Pundits, especially in blogs, really should just give up all pretenses to objectivity. One can give up objectivity without giving up fairness, especially if one keeps the comments section open. “I believe it is a hatchet job unless proven otherwise” sounds a lot better and more transparent then the ‘objectivese’ of the linked blog post. The “I think Loren stinks” of Uniffors is also better because it shows us clearly where Uniffors’s is. MLQ3’s treatment of the text message is the most cautious and by far the fairest.
So many questions come to mind about this whole kidnapping incident..Why was Loren Legarda involved on Day 5 na of the kidnapping ? Was it really the ASG who kidnapped Ces & the rest ? Did Isnaji cheat for Gloria in the 2004 Election ? Mag kaibigan ba sila ni Garci ? Why do I get this feeling that Ronnie Puno & the PNP are pushing their story too hard; why the rush ?
Ironically when the peninsula siege happened, it was also a few days before Gloria’s state visit to Spain. This kidnapping naman happened a few days before Gloria’s WORKING visit to the US. Ces was a focus in the peninsula siege as well as this kidnapping incident. Ronnie Puno & the PNP were also characters in both the peninsula siege & the kidnapping incident. Was all these a coincidence, or is a game afoot ?
Its a bit of a stretch and unfair to think that elements (or pro-war factions) in the government will stage the kidnapping of Ms. Ces Drillon & party; and then frame (or set up) Senator Legarda when she becomes the ‘negotiator’ to free the hostages.
A possible scenario of what happened: Ces Drillon pushed it to the edge; they were snatched for ransom money; fair lady-senator entered/was called to negotiate (remember she did it seven? times before this latest incident) and saw another opportunity; PNP found mayor & company were involved; doubts on lady-senator emerged.
Too much conspiracy theory could kill people, you know.
In 2007, Gloria Arroyo spent P588.5 million for foreign travels and P34.1 million for domestic travels, respectively, according to the Commission on Audit (COA)’s report on the 2007 financial transactions of Malacañang.
Today,she is off again for a 10-day trip to the U.S.
The size and scope of the presidential entourage are always staggering.
I read uniffor’s on role of pnp and afp and he is correct;
supposedly pnp is internal security and afp external.
all i can say is afp modernization law was signed, and the 1995 pnp law was signed in 1990.
these are the prime examples of laws not implemented to its fullest .We are talking about national security here.
please do take note on the clause on insurgency.afp’s should only take charge of insurgency upon the president’s recommendation.
http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1990/ra_6975_1990.html
REPUBLIC ACT No. 6975
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE UNDER A REORGANIZED DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Section 12. Relationship of the Department with the Department of National Defense. � During a period of twenty-four (24) months from the effectivity of this Act, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) shall continue its present role of preserving the internal and external security of the State: Provided, That said period may be extended by the President, if he finds it justifiable, for another period not exceeding twenty-four (24) months, after which, the Department shall automatically take over from the AFP the primary role of preserving internal security, leaving to the AFP its primary role of preserving external security. However, even after the Department has assumed primary responsibility on matters affecting internal security, including the suppression of insurgency, and there are serious threats to national security and public order, such as where insurgents have gained considerable foothold in the community thereby necessitating the employment of bigger tactical forces and the utilization of higher caliber armaments and better armored vehicles, the President may, upon recommendation of the peace and order council, call upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines to assume the primary role and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to play the supportive role in the area concerned.
“all i can say is afp modernization law was signed, and the 1995 pnp law was signed in 1990.”
edit to:
to afp mod law signed 1995.
pnp law signed 1990.
GMA is going to the US again? Why? It’s the tail end of Dubya’s term. Nag-farewell tour na rin ba si GMA? Is she going to make that tenuous Al Qeda-Mindanao link again? Well, as long as Uncle Sam gives us some change, why not..let’s blame it all on Al Qeda…..
Incidentally, GMA should deliver some of Loren Legarda’s skin whitening pills to Barack Obama maybe it will help his campaign the same way it is helping Loren’s early campaigning.
Kahit sira-ulo si Miriam, paminsan minsan she is telling the truth. A Vain person like Loren Legarda who takes pills for NON-therapeutic purposes is an idiot and should not be president.
“please do take note on the clause on insurgency.afp’s should only take charge of insurgency upon the president’s recommendation.”
the president may order uponr recommendation of the peace and order council
One of the inquirer editorials on Drilon/Mindanao/KFR mentions
I agree with AFP Chief Yano who, in Baguio at PMA ceremonies, said the youth of the terrorists require no …. change the AFP’s counter-terrorism offensives in Mindanao.
“All reports say they are [Abu Sayyaf] and there may be collusion with other criminal groups… But they are part of the Abu Sayyaf,” he said.
Yano said he has not ordered a review of procedures when soldiers are confronted by armed teenagers or children.
“[There will be] no adjustments. A firearm carried by a 16-year-old and a 20-year-old would kill soldiers the same way,” and the Philippine military should aim and pull the trigger as they have been trained.
“the youth of the terrorists require no …. change the AFP’s counter-terrorism offensives in Mindanao.” – Chief of Staff Yano as quoted by UP n Student
General Yano better be cautioned. There is a UN convention on the use of child-combatants.
The ASG might be springing a trap.
PSimeon: Are you suggesting that Yano should tell the Phlippine soldiers to lay off for a while in their anti-terrorism Mindanao operations? The thuggery in Mindanao should be stopped as soon as possible. That the MILF and the Mindanao terrorists and thugs hide behind civilians and use child-combatants is well-documented.
And there already have been beheaded bodies to tell us what happens to those caught when the ASG springs a trap.
@ UP n student
My point: ASG will use the child combatants as baits for AFP to fire and kill them. Then ASG will say they were not combatants but merley couriers and the like. And GOP would be hard put explaining itself to the Human Rights Commission.
I am with you as far as the war against bandits/terrorists are concerned. But knowing how RP is dependent on foreign aid, we are quite vulnerable to how U.S., EU, U.N., etc. looks at our operations.
Try reading the stories of the kidnapping victims of these people. long time ago. same observation as to the age of the kidnappers. except for the leaders, the group is usually a band of unschooled and ignorant young people whose dream is just to havesomepocket money to buy stuff they fancy. no politics, no ideology involved.
if they have been schooled and properly guided, do you think they will not realize that what they’re doing is pure thuggery.
Why do you think we got this aid in the form of combat training and equipment from the US? Because of the presence of these kidnappers tagged as terrorists?
PSimeon: The point you raise is very valid. I already can “read” the commentaries should three or four 17-year olds or younger’s get killed by GOP soldiers or police. “But they were so young and don’t even know how to fire a gun!!!”
And should there be rifles or handguns or bolos beside the dead bodies, there will be at least two commentators saying that the weapons were planted. And surely, there will be another commentator (having it seen done so many times in movies) will wonder why the police or military shot-to-kill when the GOP military could have shot at the terrorist’s hand or knee or even just shoot the weapon out of the terrorist’s hands.
when a “child” is old enough to kill by violence, he is old enough to get killed. it is tragic, indeed. but blame is solely on the “adults” who use them and supply them with lethal weapons. the soldier who stops them is doing his duty – the duty to preserve his own life so he can preserve those of the innocent population.
if there are any instances where the death penalty is justified, retribution for child-exploiters like that should be high up on the list.
Kayo naman, naniwala ka-agad na mayroon “child combatants” na miembro ang abbus, na di pa natin alam kung abbus talaga yong nagkidnap kay ces at company O’ manga negosyante lang dyan sa tabi-tabi. at si ms drillon hilo pa ata at hindi pa fully awake sa nangyayari.. kahit na terrorista yong Abu Sayyaf, hanggang ngayon walang pang BALITA na may manga kasama manga Bata ang Grupo nila sa ilang beses na enkuwentro nila nang tropa nang AFP at Pulisya. Kaya hunos dili muna…pati si General Yano, dahil kong alam nya na Bata ang Kalaban, libag pa rin yan sa rules of combat engagement na patulan nila..
KG,
akala ko something retail. no i’m not in consulting.
about kidnapping. the mayor needs to be replaced guilty or not guilty. we don’t need a mayor having a son to get involved. not a good role model. next mayor please.
for legarda: she has connection on those places, the same people who will probably be her own enemy and traitor. this type of relationship is common when poverty, inequality, and lawlessness exist in a country.
in the meantime, Gloria will enjoy her visit to the US and the rest of the people can’t help it but complain.
in the US, healthcare services are rising, an amendment will be done with new president. a budget cut that may limit immigration qoutas further down. a caution for parents who are sending their children to nursing.
philippines should go back to basic in terms of small business. Fish in Leyte is more expensive that fish in manila as well as poultry. we do have surplus of rice .
Lots of small business to start and maybe teach those young kidnappers on raising livestocks while providing a decent classroom. a shoot to kill is perfect for the adult organizing this crime.
the church will be against any of the military plans for retaliation. of course, the military’s plan should not be disclose to public. bakit ba nagsasalita pa sila .. gago. just go there , zip your lips and fire.
the philippine government should have database on their firearms. ( inventory or supply management) anything missing will be linked to the person in charge or review Custom policy of smuggling.