Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Duterte

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • http://edition.cnn.com/2017/06/01/as...nes/index.html

    crap, this is where i stayed the last time i was over for work.
    There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that "My ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."- Isaac Asimov

    Comment


    • I suppose that the perp being a stick up artist (armed robber for all you non Americans out there) is better than him being one of the ISIS crowd.

      Comment


      • I don't think the 36 dead agree.

        What the heck was this guy thinking.

        Comment


        • Originally posted by citanon View Post
          I don't think the 36 dead agree.

          What the heck was this guy thinking.
          Drugs, plus preexisting mental problems? Reminds me of those two teenagers who went on a multi-state rampage in the 1990s, after seeing Natural Born Killers while dropping acid.

          Comment


          • Situational anti-Americaness

            US joins battle vs Maute

            13 Marine commandos slain in Marawi war; escaping Maute matriarch arrested


            Published June 11, 2017, 12:10 AM

            By Reuters, Aaron B. Recuenco, and Camcer Ordoñez


            American special forces are helping the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to end a siege of Marawi City by the Islamic State (IS)-linked Maute Group militants, a US embassy spokesperson in Manila said Saturday.

            “They are not fighting. They are just providing technical support,” said Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, the spokesman of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, confirming the US embassy report.

            The seizure of Marawi by hundreds of fighters who have sworn allegiance to Islamic State, including dozens from neighboring countries and the Middle East, has fueled concern that the ultra-radical group is gaining a foothold in Southeast Asia.

            “At the request of the government of the Philippines, US special operations forces are assisting the AFP with ongoing operations in Marawi that help AFP commanders on the ground in their fight against Maute and ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) militants,” the US embassy spokesperson said.

            Until now there had been no confirmation that the Philippines had sought US assistance in the battle for Marawi City on the island of Mindanao, which is in its third week.

            The spokesperson gave no details of the US involvement. A US P3 Orion surveillance plane was seen flying over the town on Friday, but there has been no evidence that the United States has put troops on the ground there.

            The assistance comes after months of strain between the two long-time allies that was stoked by President Duterte’s hostility toward Washington and his pledges to throw US troops out of the country.

            Washington deployed special forces soldiers to Mindanao in 2002 to train and advise Philippine units fighting Abu Sayyaf militants in a program that once involved 1,200 Americans.

            It was discontinued in 2015 but a small presence remained for logistics and technical support.

            The United States and the Philippines have been allies for decades. Their relationship provided Washington with a strategic foothold in Asia, and offered Manila a shield against China’s assertiveness in the region.

            13 Marines slain, 40 wounded

            As fighting between government forces and the Maute terrorists continues, Col. Edgard Arevalo, chief military information officer, bared that 13 more Marine commandos, including a junior officer who led the operation that led to the confiscation of P79 million cash and checks, were killed in the continuing gun battle to retake Marawi City from the terrorists.

            Arevalo, chief military information officer, said the big casualties stemmed from a major engagement that lasted for 14 hours in Barangay Liot Madaya on Friday. He said 40 other soldiers were wounded in the same clash.

            The marines were also able to inflict heavy casualties on the ISIS-inspired Maute gunmen, led by Isnilon Hapilon and Omar and Abdullah Maute, according to Arevalo.

            Lt. Col. Herrera said the military was validating reports that the two Maute brothers were killed in the battle for control of Marawi.

            “We are still awaiting confirmation,” Herrera told a news conference in Marawi City. “We are still validating those reports but there are strong indications.”

            “Initial reports indicate that the fierce firefight ensued when the Marines assaulted the reported enemy position at around 3:30 a.m. and the firefight continued until 5 p.m.,” said Arevalo.


            Hero of Marawi – First Lt. John Frederick S. Savellano was one of 13 Marine commandos who were killed in Friday’s fierce fighting in Marawi City. Savellano had led the team that recovered P79 million in cash and checks from the terrorist group’s stronghold earlier this week. (Reuters)
            Hero of Marawi – First Lt. John Frederick S. Savellano was one of 13 Marine commandos who were killed in Friday’s fierce fighting in Marawi City. Savellano had led the team that recovered P79 million in cash and checks from the terrorist group’s stronghold earlier this week. (Reuters)


            Wedding plans

            One of those killed was Marines 1Lt. Frederick Savellano who was the one who led the assault on a Maute stronghold where some P79 million worth of cash and checks were seized.

            The 29-year-old Savellano is a registered nurse who joined the Philippine Marines several years ago via the Naval Officer Candidate Course (NOCC).

            A graduate of the United States Marine Officer Basic Course, Savellano was the company commander of 37th Marine Company, Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) 7, and from NOCC Class 21.

            Savellano’s death came as shock to relatives, friends, and fellow soldiers as he was reportedly set to wed later this year his fiancée, who is also an officer from the MBLT 2.

            It was not immediately clear how many Maute gunmen were killed during that clash since the fighting has resumed, according to Arevalo.

            “We salute this enormous display of heroism and raw courage of these fallen Marines in the course of the fight to clear Marawi of the remaining members of the Maute-ISIS Group,” said Arevalo.

            Battle for Mapandi Bridge

            Also last Friday, at least 16 soldiers were wounded in a fresh firefight when government troops tried to retake Mapandi Bridge in Barangay Mapandi from the Maute Group. The bridge leads to the city proper.

            The wounded Marine troopers were transported from Marawi to a medical facility in Iligan City on board military trucks.

            On that same day, fighters jets bombed Marawi City’s conflict zone anew, specifically Barangay Bangolo, one of the three remaining villages under the control of the Maute Group.

            Maute matriarch arrested

            At the heat of the Marawi fight, authorities arrested the matriarch of the Maute brothers late Friday in Barangay Tamboro Cormatan in Masiu, Lanao del Sur while trying to evade police and military cordon, police said.

            The Maute matriarch – Orminta Romato Maute, also known as “Farhana” – was with seven other women when she was arrested, said Chief Superintendent Rueben Sindac, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police director.

            Another report said the group had with them two wounded individuals believed to be relatives of the elder Maute.

            Sindac said the Maute matriarch and her companions were on board a Toyota Revo and were in transit when arrested by police. Seized from the suspects were assorted firearms and ammunition.

            Authorities had been tracking her down after reports said she was purchasing vehicles and weapons while planning their exit out of Lanao del Sur.

            The Maute matriarch was allegedly helping his two sons, Abdullah and Omarkhayyam, in their operations, fighting government forces in Marawi City since May 23 when law enforcers tried to arrest Hapilon. Irate Maranaos have vowed to help hunt down Hapilon and his cohorts, saying their volunteerism is “not only for the money but principally in retaliation to his importation of war (in this city) that made lives more difficult in our community.”

            Among the volunteering Maranaos is a retired police senior superintendent whose family was forced to flee to Iligan City and learned lately that his residential house was one of those badly destroyed in the aftermath of the siege.

            The Maute brothers’ father, Engr. Cayamora Maute, was apprehended Tuesday morning at a checkpoint in Sirawan, Toril, Davao City, alongside with three members of his Cotabato City-based second family.

            The arrested parents had reared and sent their sons Omar and Abdullah to Islamic schools in the Middle East where they purportedly absorbed the philosophy of kital, an orthodox Arabian belief allowing killing in ideological stride.

            The captured matriarch’s niece, Rasmia, is married to former Marawi City mayor Sultan Fahad “Pre” Salic, who was arrested by security forces at a police checkpoint in Misamis Oriental last Wednesday.

            Ex-mayor Salic and his elder brother, Omar “Solitario” Ali, also a former three-term mayor of Marawi, are among 185 people ordered arrested by the Department of National Defense for alleged involvement in the siege. (With reports from Francis T. Wakefield and Ali G. Macabalang)

            Tags: Abu Sayyaf Group, American special forces, government forces, Isnilon Hapilon, Marawi city, Maute Group, special forces soldiers, the Islamic State
            http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-w...ed-in-fighting
            The news comes as the U.S. has joined the fight in Marawi, offering the Philippine military assistance "pertaining to exercises, training, technical assistance," another Philippine military spokesman said earlier this week. Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera added that the U.S. special forces there are not directly engaged in the fighting.

            The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines confirmed the move in a statement released to several media outlets.

            ‪"At the request of the government of the Philippines, US special operations forces are assisting the (Armed Forces of the Philippines) with ongoing operations in Marawi," the embassy said, according to the Philippine news service Rappler. The U.S. will "continue to work with the Philippines to address shared threats to the peace and security of our countries, including on counterterrorism issues."

            The AP confirms seeing a U.S. Navy surveillance aircraft high in the skies above Marawi on Friday, noting it "flew above rocket-firing Philippine helicopters that struck militant positions, causing plumes of smoke to billow skyward."
            To sit down with these men and deal with them as the representatives of an enlightened and civilized people is to deride ones own dignity and to invite the disaster of their treachery - General Matthew Ridgway

            Comment


            • I can't hear you. Now one more time with feeling

              Philippines bill proposes jail time for unenthusiastic anthem singers.

              http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/28/asia/p...ebar_expansion

              Philippines citizens may need to start exercising their vocal chords.

              The country's House of Representatives has approved a bill requiring members of the public to sing the country's national anthem, Lupang Hinirang, "with fervor" whenever it is played publicly.

              Those who are convicted of violating the proposed law could face public censure, fines between $1,000 to $2,000 and up to a year in prison.

              The measure did not define how it would qualify whether or not a citizen sang the anthem with enough fervor.
              Some other stipulations in the bill:

              All students at public and private schools would be required to memorize the anthem
              It should be played in accordance with its original composition, a 2/4 time signature when played instrumentally and a 4/4 time signature when sang. It should be played at a temp between 100 and 120 beats per minute
              All people are required to stand and face the flag during the anthem, or the band and conductor if there is no flag.
              Casting contempt, dishonor or ridicule upon the national anthem is considered a violation of the law.

              The bill, which has to be approved by the Philippines Senate and President before becoming law, does provide a stipulation for those "whose faith or religious beliefs prohibit them from singing the national anthem": They must "show full respect" and stand at attention.

              The goal of the bill is to instill patriotism and respect, Marlyn Alonte, one of the bill's sponsors, told CNN.

              "Some Filipinos don't even know all the words to the national anthem, Alonte said.

              When asked about the penalties, Alonte noted that some of the bill's provisions -- including punishments -- could change.

              Analysts say that the measure is intended to help stir a sense of nationalism and patriotism. The Philippines is currently mired in a bloody drug war as well as an ongoing battle with ISIS-aligned militants in the south of the country.
              Alonte, however, denied that the timing of the bill was relevant.

              Other Asian governments have passed similar anthem-related measures in recent years.

              India's Supreme Court ruled last year that movie theaters must play the national anthem before every film, a decision that came shortly after an uptick in violence in Kashmir fueled tensions with longtime adversary Pakistan.

              China's government decreed in 2014 that its national anthem can't be played at events with an "inappropriate atmosphere" and must be sung in full, with no-one is permitted to start or stop singing midway. Altering the melody, lyrics or musical arrangement is also forbidden.

              Comment


              • Better work on your vocals.

                I'm waiting for them criminalize 115-113 scores against a certain senator.
                To sit down with these men and deal with them as the representatives of an enlightened and civilized people is to deride ones own dignity and to invite the disaster of their treachery - General Matthew Ridgway

                Comment


                • Amazing how fast this big mouth turned tail

                  Duterte wants China to secure Sulu, Celebes Seas from pirates | Jan 24 2018

                  Comment


                  • Might as well get ready to hand Palawan over to China given that the Sulu Sea is between Mindanao and Palawan.

                    Comment


                    • Will help PLAN control egress from SCS to the Pacific. Anti-piracy is a nice cover. i hear the only thing that can deter pirates is nuclear powered sub : |

                      Now how will Malaysia & Indonesia respond

                      Comment


                      • Funny how when countries get close to China they tend to abuse their former partners. Well this one looks like it wants back in again after the China dalliance didn't really work out

                        Philippines Edges Back into US Alliance as New Friend China Stirs Anger | VOA News | Apr 15 2019

                        Comment


                        • Think they are starting to realize that the relationship will end up meaning they will only have their 12 mile territorial waters left to them on the East. Their 200 mi. EEZ will cease to exist as it already has started.

                          Comment


                          • ^That is the case with Vietnam IIANM. No EEZ just 12 mile territorial.

                            Duterte may be talking tougher against China now to grab votes for supporters in mid-term congressional elections in May, said Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow with the Singapore Institute of International Affairs.

                            “The Philippines is making an issue out of (China’s maritime activities) I think for election purposes,” he said. “I think after the election they would revert back to being very friendly with China.”
                            We will see
                            Last edited by Double Edge; 19 Apr 19,, 02:20.

                            Comment


                            • Not sure whether this news belongs in the jokes section : D

                              Philippines president gives Canada a week to take back tonnes of trash, or he will 'declare war' and send it back himself | National Post | Apr 23 2019

                              Comment


                              • Originally posted by Double Edge View Post
                                ^That is the case with Vietnam IIANM. No EEZ just 12 mile territorial.



                                We will see
                                That may be the analyst's delicate way of saying that Duterte is bought and paid for. The principal question is whether he'll stay bought. Beijing could theoretically unmask him. But that woud merely highlight the risks of taking Beijing's cash.

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X