• 6 AUGUST - *1907 - Gen. Macario Sakay, one of the Filipino military leaders who had continued fighting the imperialist United States invaders eight years into the Ph...
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A+ A A- Too confrontational Written by Ninez Cacho-Olivares

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Too confrontational


The Philippines under Noynoy won’t get anywhere in getting what it wants, whether from China, or the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, mainly due to the country’s officials — especially its diplomats’ — ultra-confrontational style of “negotiating.”

Perhaps at the root of it all is the Philippine officials’ belief that they can push hard to the point of being obnoxious in their ways since the United States’ line and interests are being dutifully followed.

It is understandable for Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Chief Albert del Rosario to push the inclusion of the country’s issues with China in the disputed Scarborough Shoal and the Spratlys with the Asean solution of bringing these to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLoS), but surely Del Rosario must have already known that Cambodia, and perhaps other Asean countries would not bow to the Philippine demands for Asean to deliver on these contentious demands, as these other Asean countries have strong ties with China.

According to a DFA statement, what Del Rosario wanted was for the joint communiqué to reflect the Philippine stand in resolving the problems in the disputed areas, where the communiqué perhaps could have been worded in more general terms.

That it was confrontational was evident when the Philippines took strong exception to the statement of Cambodian Prime Minister Hor Namhong, who announced that “this will be the first time that the Asean is not able to issue the joint communiqué due to bilateral conflict between some Asean member-states and a neighboring country.”... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/1548-too-confrontational

Tremseh killings targeted rebels – UN monitors



Tremseh killings targeted rebels – UN monitors

The attack on the Syrian city of Tremseh, widely condemned by the West as civilian murder, actually targeted rebels and army defectors, says a UN investigation. The findings contradict opposition claims of civilian killings by Assad forces.

“A variety of weapons were used in an attack on the Syrian village of Tremseh, where more than 150 people were killed this week, with the homes of rebels and activists bearing the brunt,” the UN mission said.

A team of monitors visited the site of the killings on Saturday. After a preliminary examination they concluded that “the attack on Tremseh appeared targeted at specific groups and houses, mainly of army defectors and activists.”

However, the mission said the death toll was still unclear..... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://www.rt.com/news/tremseh-massacre-un-rebels-215/

Quarter of a million forced to evacuate as Japan deluge continues (VIDEO, PHOTOS)



Quarter of a million forced to evacuate as Japan deluge continues (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

The death toll from landslides and floods in Japan has risen to at least 24. Around 260,000 people living in the area have been ordered to evacuate, and 140,000 more were advised to leave their homes on the southwestern island of Kyushu.

Eight people are reported unaccounted for.

Most of those killed lost their lives in landslides in and around the town of Aso, situated on the foot of a volcano in Kumamoto prefecture, one of the island’s four prefectures affected by the disaster. Many of the casualties were elderly people unable to leave their houses as water levels rose rapidly.

Two hundred and sixty thousand people in the north of the island have now been ordered to leave their houses. They were instructed to go to designated shelters such as schools and other public facilities. Some 140,000 others were also advised to leave their houses to avoid jeopardizing their lives. .... MORE

SourceRT.com

URL: http://www.rt.com/news/japan-floods-disaster-evacuation-193/

The ‘god of humor’ Written by Larry Faraon

The ‘god of humor’


I have been researching all over for a “god of humor” and it seems that there is no such thing except the Greek goddess “Baubo” who is a jesting, light spirited goddess who sustains the fertility of the land of ancient Greece.

Often symbolized by a “belly,” Baubo is believed to heal broken and depressed spirits, for instance, Demeter’s grief over the loss of his daughter of the Greek mythology, but a “god” of humor — nada. And so, may I suggest to the heavenly Olympus that it apotheosize Mang Dolphy and weave him into the gallery if not the hierarchy of Olympian deities as the “god of humor.”

Most probably, being a “god” is a serious business and humor does not have a place in that business hence, they relegated that function to man. And so it was, the Judeo-Christian God took one of Adam’s ribs, probably the “funny bone.” That could be the reason we laugh uncontrollably at rib tickling episodes! The rib taken from Adam’s side was Eve, the woman who was supposed to be the gift of humor, unfortunately, however she was more glamorous in original sin than humorous in grace..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/1543-the-%E2%80%98god-of-humor%E2%80%99

Black ops Written by Louie Logarta

Black ops



That the Romeros — the family associated with such controversial megabuck projects as the development of Smokey Mountain, modernization of Manila North Harbor and privatization of IBC 13-Broadcast City —had stepped on so many toes in their spirited drive to build their business empire is an understatement.

And if it were only possible, the competition whom they had thoroughly outfoxed to gain bragging and more importantly proprietary rights to the said projects would have them subjected to a fate worse than what had befallen the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah, just so they could get even.

It has reached the point, we’re told by business associates thoroughly familiar with the goings on, that the incessant black propaganda and negative publicity being hurled at them by detractors have become de rigeur that the Romeros have learned to brush them off like what one would normally do to pesky insects.

“Since we can’t seem to get rid of them, we’ll just have to learn to live with them,” according to a senior executive of their holding company R-II Builders with whom we had an informal chat recently..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/1546-black-ops

Sad thing for the people of Guihulngan City Written by Jacinto ‘Jing’ Paras Sunday, 15 July 2012 00:00

Sad thing for the people of Guihulngan City


Sometime on Feb. 6 of this year, a series of very strong earthquakes rocked the City of Guihulngan and its neighboring towns. So many people died and many others were injured. Most houses were destroyed and so many people were left homeless to this day.

What would have soothed the people at the height of the earthquake would have been immediate help from many good samaritans in terms of money and relief goods. However, these funds and goods never reached in its entirety to the people because these were intercepted or were coursed through officials who appropriated the said funds and goods for their personal benefit.

Notable was the timely visit of Vice President Jejomar Binay who gave P5 million and bottled water to the victims but coursed this through the city mayor. This was followed by the arrival of President BS Aquino who also gave P3.5 million to build new houses or at least repair the damaged houses, and again the said funds were coursed through the mayor. There were several others, such as ABS CBN, GMA Network, San Miguel Corp. and many others, and public officials who provided or gave relief goods for use of the earthquake victims. Again the said relief goods were intercepted by the mayor who insisted that it should be he to distribute them to the victims. What was very sad and disgusting was that most of these funds, money  and relief goods never reached the victims because  the city mayor was alleged to have held on to most of the money and goods..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/1545-sad-thing-for-the-people-of-guihulngan-city

RP, China send navies to shoal near Palawan

RP, China send navies to shoal near Palawan


GOV’T TO ASSIST, INSTEAD OF ARREST, STRANDED CHINESE SHIP
 
A potential face-off between the Philippines and China developed anew yesterday after both countries deployed Navy vessels to Halfmoon Shoal which is being claimed by both countries and where a Chinese naval frigate remains stranded.

Despite the Chinese Navy ship being grounded within its claimed territory, the Philippine government had not indicated plans to confront China but instead said it is offering China help to deal with the grounding of the vessel.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila said the frigate accidentally ran aground Wednesday night during a routine patrol, adding the accident caused no injuries to the ship’s crew.

Rescue work by the Chinese Navy is underway, according to Chinese Embassy spokesman Zhang Hua, citing information from China’s Ministry of National Defense.

“We need to find out what really happened with the Chinese frigate in our territory,” Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said.

“For now, we have instructed our embassy in Beijing to inform the Chinese Foreign Ministry that Philippine assets are willing to help the frigate get out of there,” Hernandez said..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/1565-rp-china-send-navies-to-shoal-near-palawan

China shrugs off blame for aborted Asean code

China shrugs off blame for aborted Asean code

  • Written by 
  • Sunday, 15 July 2012 

China rejected yesterday being blamed as the cause of the lack of a customary joint communique that would have spelled out a code of conduct in resolving territorial disputes after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) annual meeting in Cambodia ended in disarray last Friday.

Cambodia, which voted down demands for the joint statement to mention recent territorial disputes, accused some of its Asean co-members, mainly the Philippines and Vietnam, as “taking the communique as a hostage.”

“China believes that at the Asean Regional Forum, parties involved exchanged ideas on East Asian regional cooperation and major regional and international issues,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said at a regular news briefing.

“China’s views and positions on issues in various fields were well understood and received support from many countries,” he said.

Foreign ministers from China and Asean member states have been hotly debating the language of the joint statement since Monday in which some Asean members insisted on including references to recent South China Sea disputes.

The Philippines and the United States have called for a unified Asean to use its collective clout to put pressuse on China but Beijing insisted on dealing with the countries concerned bilaterally and has criticized outside intervention.

The Philippines lambasted the failure at the end of the talks on Friday, blaming it on China. It had insisted that the joint statement must include reference to its armed standoff with China last month over Huang-yan Island in the South China Sea..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/1563-china-shrugs-off-blame-for-aborted-asean-code

15 more Pinoy workers escape Syria violence

15 more Pinoy workers escape Syria violence

  • Written by 
  • Sunday, 15 July 2012 

Fifteen more Filipino workers have escaped from violence-wracked Syria with the help of the Philippine government and were shortly due to be back home in Manila, the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said.

The 15 female workers, who were given help under the government’s mandatory evacuation program, would arrive Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport aboard an Emirates flight, the DFA said, citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Damascus.

Ten of the workers came from the Syrian capital of Damascus while the rest were from the coastal cities of Tartous and Latakia and the war-torn city of Homs..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/1561-15-more-pinoy-workers-escape-syria-violence

Tinio to build school on Pag-asa Island

Tinio to build school on Pag-asa Island

After China reportedly set up a radar near the Municipality of Kalayaan, a two-story, six-classroom building on Pag-asa Island in that municipality in the disputed Spratlys will be constructed with the help of ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, who has set a portion of the second tranche of his 2012 priority development assistance fund for the project.

The local government, through Municipal Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon Jr., proposed the project after learning of Tinio’s vow to send assistance to the newly opened elementary school..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/1558-tinio-to-build-school-on-pag-asa-island

La Union police chief, nine cops charged in gang rape of prisoner

La Union police chief, nine cops charged in gang rape of prisoner


Administrative charges have been slapped against a chief of police and his nine subordinates before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) following the formal filing filed by the family of a detainee who was allegedly gang raped while being detained in San Fernando, La Union detention cell.

According to lawyer Dennis Lomby, provincial officer of Napolcom based in La Union, that grave misconduct has been filed against the former chief of police of Pugo Municipal Station identified as Senior Inspector Jessie Quisada.

Also accused and have been charged of serious neglect of duty were the nine policemen assigned at the said police station identified as PO1 Juvelyn Camat, PO1 Marlyn Lozano, PO2 Bismark Estabillo, PO1 Eduardo Sario, PO1 Serafin Fernandez, PO2 Jessie Piran, PO2 Roy Aspuria, SPO4 Lagao ang one identified only as Isang Hermosa..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/1559-la-union-police-chief-nine-cops-charged-in-gang-rape-of-prisoner

Super task force to secure Noy Sona

Super task force to secure Noy Sona


The Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed a super task force to maintain peace and order during the State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Aquino on July 23.

PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr., said the task force for the SoNA has been formed and will be headed by National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Supt. Allan Purisima.
Purisima said some 3,000 policemen would be deployed in critical areas in Quezon on the day of the Sona.

He added that reinforcements from Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central and Southern Luzon and Cordillera Administrative Region would be on standby.

Purisima said the no permit, no rally policy will be strictly implemented on the protesters expected to flock the streets near the House of Representatives in Quezon City..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/1528-super-task-force-to-secure-noy-sona

5-day canonization rites of Pedro Calungsod set Written by Tribune

5-day canonization rites of Pedro Calungsod set

  • Written by 
  • Sunday, 15 July 2012 
Organizers in charge of the promotion of Pedro Calungsod’s canonization on Oct. 21 have released the dates of the liturgical celebrations slated before and after the canonization, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has announced.

A Triduum of Masses will be celebrated from Oct. 18 to 20 at the Basilica of St. Agustine, Piazza di Sant’Agostino 80 at 4 p.m., at the Church of Gesu, Via degli Astalli 16 also at 4 p.m.; and at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore at 10 a.m. All three churches are located in Rome..... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/1526-5-day-canonization-rites-of-pedro-calungsod-set

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