By Ronron
July 1, 2005
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vowed to quell efforts to establish an independent Mindanao Republic as reportedly suggested by local political leaders if another People Power uprising prosper in Metro Manila to unseat President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"The AFP protects Philippine territorial integrity and will block any move to divide the country," Acting AFP Civil Relations Service chief Col. Gilberto Abanto said Friday in a statement.
Abanto was reacting to reports that southern Philippine leaders, among them Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, are calling for the setting up of a separate Mindanao if opposition groups stage another EDSA mobilization and succeed in removing the President from her post.
"The AFP will continue to safeguard the Constitution and uphold the rule of law," said Abanto.
Different anti-government groups have begun a series of protest actions in Metro Manila, particularly in the cities of Manila and Makati, to press the resignation of Arroyo following her admission last Monday of an act of impropriety by calling an elections officer even before the 2004 Presidential polls was completed.
The AFP and other authorities have repeatedly appealed for sobriety and calmness among the people and to leave instead everything to the Constitutionally-allowed processes as regards any possible liabilities of Arroyo.
"Our people should not allow themselves to be used by groups with political and ideological interests that threaten to destroy the peace and order situation in the country," Abanto said.
The AFP expressed fear that that different groups, including the communist terrorist New People’s Army, will take advantage of the situation by creating violence and chaos.
Nonetheless, "if the communist movement and other leftist groups decide to align themselves with the groups orchestrating destabilization efforts, the AFP will not hesitate to crush this unholy alliance," said Abanto.
The AFP said it is continuously monitoring the prevailing security situation, along with the Philippine National Police, as it expressed readiness to thwart any destabilization efforts that will be launched by anti-government efforts.
"The AFP has remained faithful to its core mission and mandated duty to defend and protect the country and the Filipino people," Abanto stressed.
The military leadership has consistently denied active AFP members are already breaking support and loyalty from Arroyo, their commander-in-chief, in light of the recent controversies hounding her administration.
"The AFP is an apolitical organization and its members do not engage in partisan politics, except to exercise the right to vote," said Abanto.
In light of allegations that the military took part in the massive fraud in last year’s polls, Abanto said the military would welcome any probe that will investigate the alleged involvement of several top AFP officials.
"Any AFP personnel found to have violated the country’s election code will be punished to the full extent of the law," said Abanto.
In the alleged taped conversation of Arroyo and Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano last May 28, 2004, the latter mentioned that then AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (J3) Maj. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon and AFP Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Kyamko allegedly removed temporarily from his post Brig. Gen. Franciso Gudani as 1st Marine Brigade Commander because the latter was siding with Arroyo’s closest rival for the Presidency, Fernando Poe, Jr.
Esperon, who served then as deputy commander of the military’s Task Force HOPE (Honest, Orderly, Peaceful Elections), had denied the allegations, maintaining that there was definitely no cheating in Mindanao./DMS
Saturday, July 2, 2005
Joint RP-US Marines exercises start in Cavite, Manila
By Ronron
July 1, 2005
The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) will start on Monday their joint training exercises to be held in Cavite and Manila "to improve the interoperability and combat readiness of both forces and enhance professional relationships."
Capt. Rommel Abrau, Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) Public Information Officer, said the PMC-USMC Interoperability Exercise ’05 and Philippine Subject Matter Expert Exchange ’05 was formally opened yesterday (Friday) at the Basic School parade ground of the Marine Base Ternate in Ternate, Cavite.
Around 500 from the PMC and more than 100 from the USMC will be participating in the activity that is expected to end on July 21, 2005.
Abrau disclosed that while the Engineering Civic Assistance Project (ENCAP) component of the activity had already started last June 25, the training proper will only begin this coming Monday at the Marine Base Ternate and the Marine Barracks Manila at Fort Bonifacio in Makati City.
Aside from ENCAP, the exercise also include the following components: Medical Civic Assistance Project (MEDCAP), Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), Weapons Live-Fire Training, Staff Exercise (Staff-Ex) / Command Post Exercise (CPX), Explosive Ordnance Demolition (EOD) Training, USMC Combat Engineering Organization brief, Small Unit Leadership Lessons Learned Exchange, (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) Warfare Training, Force Protection Training, Communications Training, Maintenance Processes and Procedures Training, Logistics Planning, and Medical Training.
Abrau said the MEDCAP and ENCAP activities are the scheduled humanitarian/civil military operations.
The MEDCAP, which will be held on July 4th and 8th, 2005, will provide free medical check-up and medicines to the residents of Sapang Uno and San Juan villages in Ternate, Cavite.
The ENCAP, on the other hand, is an engineering project designed to improve local infrastructure. It is expected to wrap up on July 18th.
As regards the training proper component, Abrau said the Staff-Ex / CPX will be held at the Marine Barracks Manila while the rest field training exercises will be at the Marine Base Ternate.
Col. Ariel Querubin of the PMC is the Exercise Director, while Maj. Ted Veggeberg from the USMC temporarily heads the US contingent that has begun arriving in batches last June 23.
Abrau said the budget of US$50,000 for the training activity will be shouldered by the PMC from the Philippine Navy’s training fund, and will be reimbursed afterwards by the USMC.
The exercise is covered by the 1951 RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty, while the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) will govern the conduct of US armed forces personnel who are taking part in the said exercise.
"The amount that will be expended by the US forces is immaterial in comparison to the tangible benefits like the proficiency and skills acquired from the US counterparts or the civil military projects that will remain after they will leave. More important are the intangibles – the mutual trust, respect, understanding and friendship this exercise will foster among the participants," Abrau quoted Querubin to have said of the exercise./DMS
July 1, 2005
The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) will start on Monday their joint training exercises to be held in Cavite and Manila "to improve the interoperability and combat readiness of both forces and enhance professional relationships."
Capt. Rommel Abrau, Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) Public Information Officer, said the PMC-USMC Interoperability Exercise ’05 and Philippine Subject Matter Expert Exchange ’05 was formally opened yesterday (Friday) at the Basic School parade ground of the Marine Base Ternate in Ternate, Cavite.
Around 500 from the PMC and more than 100 from the USMC will be participating in the activity that is expected to end on July 21, 2005.
Abrau disclosed that while the Engineering Civic Assistance Project (ENCAP) component of the activity had already started last June 25, the training proper will only begin this coming Monday at the Marine Base Ternate and the Marine Barracks Manila at Fort Bonifacio in Makati City.
Aside from ENCAP, the exercise also include the following components: Medical Civic Assistance Project (MEDCAP), Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), Weapons Live-Fire Training, Staff Exercise (Staff-Ex) / Command Post Exercise (CPX), Explosive Ordnance Demolition (EOD) Training, USMC Combat Engineering Organization brief, Small Unit Leadership Lessons Learned Exchange, (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) Warfare Training, Force Protection Training, Communications Training, Maintenance Processes and Procedures Training, Logistics Planning, and Medical Training.
Abrau said the MEDCAP and ENCAP activities are the scheduled humanitarian/civil military operations.
The MEDCAP, which will be held on July 4th and 8th, 2005, will provide free medical check-up and medicines to the residents of Sapang Uno and San Juan villages in Ternate, Cavite.
The ENCAP, on the other hand, is an engineering project designed to improve local infrastructure. It is expected to wrap up on July 18th.
As regards the training proper component, Abrau said the Staff-Ex / CPX will be held at the Marine Barracks Manila while the rest field training exercises will be at the Marine Base Ternate.
Col. Ariel Querubin of the PMC is the Exercise Director, while Maj. Ted Veggeberg from the USMC temporarily heads the US contingent that has begun arriving in batches last June 23.
Abrau said the budget of US$50,000 for the training activity will be shouldered by the PMC from the Philippine Navy’s training fund, and will be reimbursed afterwards by the USMC.
The exercise is covered by the 1951 RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty, while the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) will govern the conduct of US armed forces personnel who are taking part in the said exercise.
"The amount that will be expended by the US forces is immaterial in comparison to the tangible benefits like the proficiency and skills acquired from the US counterparts or the civil military projects that will remain after they will leave. More important are the intangibles – the mutual trust, respect, understanding and friendship this exercise will foster among the participants," Abrau quoted Querubin to have said of the exercise./DMS
Thursday, June 30, 2005
PMA alumni-chapter calls for Arroyo’s resignation
By Ronron
June 29, 2005
While it accepted the apology of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a group of alumni of the elite Philippine Military Academy (PMA) wants the President to resign because she has "lost the moral ascendancy to govern" with her admission to the act of impropriety.
In a three-page resolution dated June 28, 2005, the Business, Industry and Retired Chapter, Inc. (BIRC) of the PMA Alumni Association, Inc. also asked all members of Arroyo’s cabinet to tender their resignations for participating in a series of lies and cover-ups in the last three weeks to protect the image of Arroyo.
Arroyo, on Monday night, confessed on national television that she called a government election officer while the 2004 Presidential polls was not yet over. She admitted it was a lapse in judgement of which she was sorry about.
"The (BIRC) of the PMAAAI believes that the apologies of the President should be accepted, whatever prompted her to do so… The BIRC nonetheless believes that the President has lost the moral ascendancy to govern and would not be the best person to heal, lead and unite the nation in these critical times," the resolution of the more than 1,000-strong organization reads.
The group, chaired by Col. (ret.) Mariano Santiago, also sought the public to respect the Constitution process of presidential succession should Arroyo resign "to avoid further disunity and deadly confrontation over the Presidency."
It also addressed the AFP to exercise prudence and neutrality and perform its constitutionally mandated duty to protect the people and the State and insure that the Constitutional process of succession, if any, is allowed.
In a phone interview with Manila Shimbun, Santigao said his group’s sentiments may not be shared by the four other chapters of the 7,000-strong PMAAAI who are in the active service.
It is not even a unanimous call but only by the majority of the BIRC.
But he said it is important that they express their opinion on the matter so that "nobody would grab power," particularly a military junta.
A retired Navy officer had earlier warned Arroyo that four or five military groups who are rebellious are just waiting to be instigated.
Commodore (ret.) Rex Robles said Arroyo must not let down her guard even if the military pronounces their loyalty to their Commander-in-Chief.
But the AFP yesterday belied Robles’ allegations.
"There is no truth in retired Commodore Rex Roble’s statements that groups within the AFP composed of disgruntled officers have united for the purpose of military intervention. The incoming (Chief of Staff of the AFP, Lt. Gen. Generoso Senga) has vowed to put an end to military adventurism, to ensure that misguided men in uniform will not be swayed into joining such activities," Col. Gilberto Abanto, acting Commander of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service, said.
The military leadership had consistently called for sobriety among the public following Arroyo’s confession./DMS
June 29, 2005
While it accepted the apology of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a group of alumni of the elite Philippine Military Academy (PMA) wants the President to resign because she has "lost the moral ascendancy to govern" with her admission to the act of impropriety.
In a three-page resolution dated June 28, 2005, the Business, Industry and Retired Chapter, Inc. (BIRC) of the PMA Alumni Association, Inc. also asked all members of Arroyo’s cabinet to tender their resignations for participating in a series of lies and cover-ups in the last three weeks to protect the image of Arroyo.
Arroyo, on Monday night, confessed on national television that she called a government election officer while the 2004 Presidential polls was not yet over. She admitted it was a lapse in judgement of which she was sorry about.
"The (BIRC) of the PMAAAI believes that the apologies of the President should be accepted, whatever prompted her to do so… The BIRC nonetheless believes that the President has lost the moral ascendancy to govern and would not be the best person to heal, lead and unite the nation in these critical times," the resolution of the more than 1,000-strong organization reads.
The group, chaired by Col. (ret.) Mariano Santiago, also sought the public to respect the Constitution process of presidential succession should Arroyo resign "to avoid further disunity and deadly confrontation over the Presidency."
It also addressed the AFP to exercise prudence and neutrality and perform its constitutionally mandated duty to protect the people and the State and insure that the Constitutional process of succession, if any, is allowed.
In a phone interview with Manila Shimbun, Santigao said his group’s sentiments may not be shared by the four other chapters of the 7,000-strong PMAAAI who are in the active service.
It is not even a unanimous call but only by the majority of the BIRC.
But he said it is important that they express their opinion on the matter so that "nobody would grab power," particularly a military junta.
A retired Navy officer had earlier warned Arroyo that four or five military groups who are rebellious are just waiting to be instigated.
Commodore (ret.) Rex Robles said Arroyo must not let down her guard even if the military pronounces their loyalty to their Commander-in-Chief.
But the AFP yesterday belied Robles’ allegations.
"There is no truth in retired Commodore Rex Roble’s statements that groups within the AFP composed of disgruntled officers have united for the purpose of military intervention. The incoming (Chief of Staff of the AFP, Lt. Gen. Generoso Senga) has vowed to put an end to military adventurism, to ensure that misguided men in uniform will not be swayed into joining such activities," Col. Gilberto Abanto, acting Commander of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service, said.
The military leadership had consistently called for sobriety among the public following Arroyo’s confession./DMS
Susan Roces Speech June 29, 2005
April 14 nung huli tayong magtipon-tipon dito. Noon ay inilahad ko sa inyo ang lahat ng nasa aking damdamin sa pagkakabasura ng Presidential Electoral Tribunal sa kahilingan ko na sana ay maipagpatuloy ko ang protesta ni FPJ. Ang taning layunin ko noon ay malaman ang tunay na nangyari at kung papano tinatrato ang mga boto nating lahat, hindi lang po para sa akin, hindi lang po para sa aking pamilya, kung hindi para sa ating lahat na lumahok at bumoto sa araw ng halalan upang piliin natin kung sino ang ibig nating mamuno sa atin. Mayroon po tayong kanya-kanyang pinili. So ito po ay ginawa ko hindi lamang para sa bumoto kay FPJ, kundi para din sa kani-kanilang mga ibinoto… kaya lang, hindi tayo pinagbigyan. Nalungkot po ako noon sapagkat kailan po natin malalaman ang katotohanan. Lumipas po ang panahon, nanahimik po ako. Katulad ng sabi ng mga nakakaalam sa …, it was legal but not moral. Life must go on. Sinikap ko na gawin ang pang-araw-araw na dapat kong gawin, tulad ng isang mabuting mamamayan. Sinunod ko lahat ang mga batas. Sinunod ko kahit laban sa loob ko, kahit nakikita ko na na in spite of our economic state, our financial crisis, personal and business crisis, pinilit tayo whether we like it or not na nadagdagan ang ating VAT. Ganunpaman, sabi ko, kung lahat kayo ay nakakatiis, bakit hindi siya bigyan ng pagkakataon. Ngunit anong isinukli niya? Arogante siya. (applause) Hindi niya isina-alang-alang ang damdamin ng nakararami. Manhid. (applause) June 6, tulad ninyong lahat, nagulat na lamang ako. Dun pa man din sa Malakanyang inilabas ang dalawang discs. Hindi ko hinanap yun. Hindi oposisyon ang nakahanap nun. Kundi marahil ay naibigay sa akin yung kasalukuyang ipinaglalaban ko ang protesta ni fpj. Dininig ng langit ang aking panalangin (applause) kasama ng iba’t ibang… Langit ang humusga na may karapatan tayong malaman ang katotohanan. (applause) Para sa ating mga Pilipino, mahalaga ang karapatan nating piliin ang ibig nating mamuno sa atin. (applause) Sagrado ang ating mga boto sapagkat yan ay karapatang ipinamana sa atin ng ating mga ninuno, pinagbuwisan nila ng buhay, ipinaglaban nila ang ating karapatan at nanindigan sila para makamit natin ang ating kalayaan. (applause) Tuwing araw lamang ng halalan na tunay na lahat tayo ay pantay-pantay, mayaman man o mahirap. Tig-isa-isa lang tayo ng boto kaya yun ay sagrado. (applause) Nakalulungkot at nakagagalit ang kasalukuyang pangyayari. Noon ang sumusupil sa ating karapatan at nanlalamang sa atin ay ang mga dayuhan na sumakop sa ating bayan. Ngunit sa kasalukuyan, ang nanlalalamang at kumikitil ng ating mga karapatan ay sarili nating kalahi at kadugo. (applause) Nagpahayag si Mrs. Arroyo noong Lunes ng gabi. Labis akong nalungkot sa aking nakita at narinig. Napa-isip ako, nadagdagan ang mga katanungan sa aking diwa. Sorry daw at kinausap niya ang isang Comelec Commissioner. Kasalukuyan pang nagbibilangan noon. Alam niya yun. Alam niyang bawal yun. Alam ng lahat ng mga kandidato bawal yun. Perong ginawa niya, nilabag niya ang batas. At yun ay inilihim niya. At kung hindi pa lumabas ang tape, kailanman ay hindi natin malalaman. Kay tagal din niyang nanahimik. Kay tagal din niyang pinag-isipan, aaminin ba niya o hindi? Na boses niya ang boses ng babaeng nasa tape? Bakit? Bakit napakatagal niyang nag-intay? Dahil may higit siyang mabigat na pagkakasala na ibig niyang ilihim at ibig pa tayong muling isahan. Yun ang pinag-uusapan nila, at ayaw at bawal ito na ating marinig, ang pandaraya. (applause) Mrs. Arroyo, habang pinagmamasdan kita sa yung paghingi ng paumanhin sa amin, sa taumbayan, kitang kita ko sa iyong mga mata, hindi nanggagaling sa iyong puso ang iyong paghingi ng sorry. (applause) Kitang-kita ko sa iyong mga mata na ibig mo na naman kaming isahan. (applause) Pinaiikot mo na naman ang batas para sa iyong personal na interes, para ilihim ang katotohanan. May kasabihan tayong mga Pilipino, ang sinungaling ay kapatid ng magnanakaw. (applause) Hindi ko matatanggap ang iyong sorry. (applause) sinira mo ang pagtitiwala ng mga kababayan mo sa’yo. (applause). Wala kang karapatan na mamuno (applause). Remember mrs. Arroyo, before foreigners, before investors can trust you, you must first have the trust of your countrymen which unfortunately you have lost (applause). You have embarrassed the Filipinos enough. There is nothing we can find that we can be proud of that you have done for us from your day one to the present. (applause) You are full of empty promises. Obviously, you have no love for your country. (applause) the gravest thing that you have done is you have stolen the presidency, not once but twice. (applause)
Q&A
(you call for GMA’s resignation?)
yes, that is the most honorable thing she can do at present.
(handa na ba kayong mamuno if people ask you to lead their campaign for arroyo’s resignation?)
ang press conference na ito ay tungkol sa pinaglalaban natin sa katotohanan. Ayoko pong haluan ito ng pulitika. Ayokong haluan ito ng partisan politics.
(bunye said we must put to closure on the issue? Opposition said forgive with retributions?)
for your first question, sec. Bunye said that. I believe that is the administration’s problem right now. So it’s not for me to answer. You better ask them. As far as the retribution is concerned, again we have to consult people in the legal field. And other than that, it is our countrymen who can best decide her fate. Remember, laws were made for the majority, most especially for the oppressed, to protect them, not to abuse them.
(if gma resigns, who would you endorse to take her place?)
I am just like you, an ordinary citizen. Again I would say, it’s for the majority to decide.
(gma announced that mike will leave the country?)
that’s a personal decision of the couple. As for me, in my marriage, I don’t agree to it.
(kelan po kayo gagawa ng malaking rally para ibagsak si arroyo?)
wag niyo pong lalagyan ng di tamang pananalita ang aking bibig. Iisa lang ako, ordinaryong mamamayan tulad ninyo. Wala akong maipagmamalaking puwersa. Ngunit kung may mangunguna at depende kung kailan, handa ako.
(is mike’s flight tantamount to guilt?)
I don’t meddle with problems of the couple.
(you are calling for the immediate resignation of GMA?)
yes. She has done enough damage to our country. She has put our country and our countrymen to shame.
(wala raw intention si gma mag-resign, sabi ni bunye. Ano action niyo?)
ipadinig niyo yan sa nakararami, tingnan natin kung anong sagot nila. Oo, sasamahan ko sila.
(if gma resigns, noli will take over based on constitution. Agree kayo?)
sa mga nakikita ko, na kahit na mali ay kinakampihan, ano ang maisasagot mo?
(ano ang magiging role mo if gma resigns?)
kagaya ngayon ng role ko, isang simpleng mamamayan, kasama ninyo.
(do you favor military-junta?)
hindi ako ang makapagsasabi niyan. Hindi ko ginusto na magkaganito ang ating sitwasyon. Wag nilang isisi sa mga taong katulad ko na ibig lamang ipahayag ang tunay niyang niloloob at ang kanyang damdamin. Hindi natin alam kung kailan pa magkakaroon ng pagkakataong ito.
(no preference sa next option, snap election?)
ang mga bagay-bagay na ganyan ay hindi ipinagsasapalaran. Yan ay pinag-aaralan. Sa ngayon, marami nang pag-aaral. Iba’t ibang grupo na ang nag-aaral kung anong makabubuti sa ating bayan.
(message to arroyo?)
I don’t give unsolicited advice.
(will you endorse snap elections?)
hindi dahil sa dumi ng nakaraang halalan, sino ang mamahala ng snap elections.
(so paano papalitan ang pamahalaan?)
again, I would say, there are plans, different plans …
(what if majority asks you to lead campaign against gma?)
depende sa pagkakataon at mga pangyayari.
(so you’re open to it?)
malalaman niyo na lang. Ang importante ay magkakasama ang lahat ng taong bayan.
(kasama po ba ang people power sa pinaplano?)
hindi ko alam.
(are you calling people to go the streets?)
pinauubaya na sa amin ang lahat. Hindi tayo bulag. Hindi tayo tanga. Ikaw ang nagsabi niyan, hindi ako. Umpisahan mo, tatapusin ko.
(naumpisahan niyo na po, saan na ’to tutungo?)
atat na atat ka, ikaw ang mag-umpisa.
(were you able to listen to the tape before malacañang brought it out?)
katulad ng sinabi ko kanina, sabay-sabay nating nakita at narinig mula sa malacañang.
(saan hahantong itong nangyayari ngayon?)
yun din ang matagal ko nang itinatanong, saan ba tayo patungo.
(wala pang malinaw na kasagutan?)
I’m searching in my mind, and I just .. left wondering each day.
(gma said sakripisyo na yung pag-alis ng kanyang asawa)
hindi ko alam ang kasaysayan ng kanilang pagmamahalan.
(mensahe to fpj loyalists?)
ayaw ko silang tawaging loyalista ni fpj. Sila po ang ipinaglaban at naging dahil na si fpj ay lumaban sa nakaraang halalan. Para sa inyo, tuloy po ang laban.
(handa ba kayo to call for civil disobedience?)
makakarating tayo diyan. Tingnan natin kung gaano katigas ang ulo ng ating pangulo.
(handa ba kayong makausap si garcillano?)
alam mo ba kung nasaan siya?
(after edsa 1, edsa dos, anong option maibibigay niyo sa taong bayan?)
- nasa taumbayan ang pagpapasya. Naranasan nila ang edsa 1, edsa 2, at nagkaroon ng edsa 3. May nagbago ba? So naging leksyon yan para sa atin. Kailangan suriin natin sa ating mga isip kung ano ba ang gusto nating klase ng pamumuno.
Q&A
(you call for GMA’s resignation?)
yes, that is the most honorable thing she can do at present.
(handa na ba kayong mamuno if people ask you to lead their campaign for arroyo’s resignation?)
ang press conference na ito ay tungkol sa pinaglalaban natin sa katotohanan. Ayoko pong haluan ito ng pulitika. Ayokong haluan ito ng partisan politics.
(bunye said we must put to closure on the issue? Opposition said forgive with retributions?)
for your first question, sec. Bunye said that. I believe that is the administration’s problem right now. So it’s not for me to answer. You better ask them. As far as the retribution is concerned, again we have to consult people in the legal field. And other than that, it is our countrymen who can best decide her fate. Remember, laws were made for the majority, most especially for the oppressed, to protect them, not to abuse them.
(if gma resigns, who would you endorse to take her place?)
I am just like you, an ordinary citizen. Again I would say, it’s for the majority to decide.
(gma announced that mike will leave the country?)
that’s a personal decision of the couple. As for me, in my marriage, I don’t agree to it.
(kelan po kayo gagawa ng malaking rally para ibagsak si arroyo?)
wag niyo pong lalagyan ng di tamang pananalita ang aking bibig. Iisa lang ako, ordinaryong mamamayan tulad ninyo. Wala akong maipagmamalaking puwersa. Ngunit kung may mangunguna at depende kung kailan, handa ako.
(is mike’s flight tantamount to guilt?)
I don’t meddle with problems of the couple.
(you are calling for the immediate resignation of GMA?)
yes. She has done enough damage to our country. She has put our country and our countrymen to shame.
(wala raw intention si gma mag-resign, sabi ni bunye. Ano action niyo?)
ipadinig niyo yan sa nakararami, tingnan natin kung anong sagot nila. Oo, sasamahan ko sila.
(if gma resigns, noli will take over based on constitution. Agree kayo?)
sa mga nakikita ko, na kahit na mali ay kinakampihan, ano ang maisasagot mo?
(ano ang magiging role mo if gma resigns?)
kagaya ngayon ng role ko, isang simpleng mamamayan, kasama ninyo.
(do you favor military-junta?)
hindi ako ang makapagsasabi niyan. Hindi ko ginusto na magkaganito ang ating sitwasyon. Wag nilang isisi sa mga taong katulad ko na ibig lamang ipahayag ang tunay niyang niloloob at ang kanyang damdamin. Hindi natin alam kung kailan pa magkakaroon ng pagkakataong ito.
(no preference sa next option, snap election?)
ang mga bagay-bagay na ganyan ay hindi ipinagsasapalaran. Yan ay pinag-aaralan. Sa ngayon, marami nang pag-aaral. Iba’t ibang grupo na ang nag-aaral kung anong makabubuti sa ating bayan.
(message to arroyo?)
I don’t give unsolicited advice.
(will you endorse snap elections?)
hindi dahil sa dumi ng nakaraang halalan, sino ang mamahala ng snap elections.
(so paano papalitan ang pamahalaan?)
again, I would say, there are plans, different plans …
(what if majority asks you to lead campaign against gma?)
depende sa pagkakataon at mga pangyayari.
(so you’re open to it?)
malalaman niyo na lang. Ang importante ay magkakasama ang lahat ng taong bayan.
(kasama po ba ang people power sa pinaplano?)
hindi ko alam.
(are you calling people to go the streets?)
pinauubaya na sa amin ang lahat. Hindi tayo bulag. Hindi tayo tanga. Ikaw ang nagsabi niyan, hindi ako. Umpisahan mo, tatapusin ko.
(naumpisahan niyo na po, saan na ’to tutungo?)
atat na atat ka, ikaw ang mag-umpisa.
(were you able to listen to the tape before malacañang brought it out?)
katulad ng sinabi ko kanina, sabay-sabay nating nakita at narinig mula sa malacañang.
(saan hahantong itong nangyayari ngayon?)
yun din ang matagal ko nang itinatanong, saan ba tayo patungo.
(wala pang malinaw na kasagutan?)
I’m searching in my mind, and I just .. left wondering each day.
(gma said sakripisyo na yung pag-alis ng kanyang asawa)
hindi ko alam ang kasaysayan ng kanilang pagmamahalan.
(mensahe to fpj loyalists?)
ayaw ko silang tawaging loyalista ni fpj. Sila po ang ipinaglaban at naging dahil na si fpj ay lumaban sa nakaraang halalan. Para sa inyo, tuloy po ang laban.
(handa ba kayo to call for civil disobedience?)
makakarating tayo diyan. Tingnan natin kung gaano katigas ang ulo ng ating pangulo.
(handa ba kayong makausap si garcillano?)
alam mo ba kung nasaan siya?
(after edsa 1, edsa dos, anong option maibibigay niyo sa taong bayan?)
- nasa taumbayan ang pagpapasya. Naranasan nila ang edsa 1, edsa 2, at nagkaroon ng edsa 3. May nagbago ba? So naging leksyon yan para sa atin. Kailangan suriin natin sa ating mga isip kung ano ba ang gusto nating klase ng pamumuno.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Police and military vow loyalty to Arroyo
By Ronron
June 28, 2005
Amid her confession to committing impropriety by
calling an election officer in last year’s
Presidential polls which she participated, President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo still enjoys the support and
loyalty of the police and the military.
In separate statements issued Tuesday, a day after
Arroyo made the public confession, the Philippine
National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the
Philippines even heeded to Arroyo’s call for the
public to continue supporting her program of
governance.
“The officers, men and women of the PNP fully support
President Arroyo in her courageous apology before the
nation,” national police chief Gen. Arturo Lomibao
said.
“The men and women of the AFP fully recognize and
remain loyal to the President as the duly constituted
authority and our Commander-in-Chief,” AFP Information
Officer Lt. Col. Buenaventura Pascual added.
Anticipating a series of mass actions that will be
launched by groups critical to Arroyo, the police and
military vowed not to tolerate any acts that border on
lawlessness and violence.
“The PNP shall remain faithful to its sworn duty to
enforce the law and maintain peace and order,” Lomibao
said.
Pascual, for his part, said: “While the AFP respects
every Filipino’s right to freedom of expression,
violent and armed actions to espouse such beliefs
shall never be tolerated. Let us respect each other’s
civil rights and follow the rule of law.”
Tomorrow (June 30), various multi-sectoral groups
critical to Arroyo, including members of the United
Opposition, will hold a rally at Plaza Miranda in
Quiapo, Manila City as a start of their intensified
campaign for the resignation of the President.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Secertary General
Renato Reyes, Jr. said at least 10,000 people will
gather at noon time tomorrow at the historic site.
“Arroyo is completely mistaken if she thinks protests
will waver after her confession. Kami’y sawang sawa
na (We are already fed up). The Filipino people will
force her out of Malacanang if she does not come to
her senses soon,” said Reyes.
Bayan and other allied groups are rejecting Arroyo’s
apology, saying that the latter, in the first place,
does not have the right to be in power for cheating
her way to the Presidency.
Other activities are being planned by Reyes’ group
until Arroyo delivers her State of Nation Address
(SONA) on July 25 to continue pressing her to resign.
Among these activities are the planned mass leave by
teachers on July 8, and a mass caravan from Visayas to
Metro Manila by mass-based groups.
But Pascual is enjoining “each Filipino citizen to
stand behind the Constitution, and contribute to
national stability and progress by adhering to
calmness, sobriety, and genuine cooperation.”
With Arroyo’s confession, the police and military
sought everyone to put an end to the wiretapping and
election fraud controversies and direct their energies
to helping the government realize its programs.
“We must move on as a nation and take advantage of the
opportunities for progress that have been sidetracked
by the recent events,” Lomibao said./DMS
June 28, 2005
Amid her confession to committing impropriety by
calling an election officer in last year’s
Presidential polls which she participated, President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo still enjoys the support and
loyalty of the police and the military.
In separate statements issued Tuesday, a day after
Arroyo made the public confession, the Philippine
National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the
Philippines even heeded to Arroyo’s call for the
public to continue supporting her program of
governance.
“The officers, men and women of the PNP fully support
President Arroyo in her courageous apology before the
nation,” national police chief Gen. Arturo Lomibao
said.
“The men and women of the AFP fully recognize and
remain loyal to the President as the duly constituted
authority and our Commander-in-Chief,” AFP Information
Officer Lt. Col. Buenaventura Pascual added.
Anticipating a series of mass actions that will be
launched by groups critical to Arroyo, the police and
military vowed not to tolerate any acts that border on
lawlessness and violence.
“The PNP shall remain faithful to its sworn duty to
enforce the law and maintain peace and order,” Lomibao
said.
Pascual, for his part, said: “While the AFP respects
every Filipino’s right to freedom of expression,
violent and armed actions to espouse such beliefs
shall never be tolerated. Let us respect each other’s
civil rights and follow the rule of law.”
Tomorrow (June 30), various multi-sectoral groups
critical to Arroyo, including members of the United
Opposition, will hold a rally at Plaza Miranda in
Quiapo, Manila City as a start of their intensified
campaign for the resignation of the President.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Secertary General
Renato Reyes, Jr. said at least 10,000 people will
gather at noon time tomorrow at the historic site.
“Arroyo is completely mistaken if she thinks protests
will waver after her confession. Kami’y sawang sawa
na (We are already fed up). The Filipino people will
force her out of Malacanang if she does not come to
her senses soon,” said Reyes.
Bayan and other allied groups are rejecting Arroyo’s
apology, saying that the latter, in the first place,
does not have the right to be in power for cheating
her way to the Presidency.
Other activities are being planned by Reyes’ group
until Arroyo delivers her State of Nation Address
(SONA) on July 25 to continue pressing her to resign.
Among these activities are the planned mass leave by
teachers on July 8, and a mass caravan from Visayas to
Metro Manila by mass-based groups.
But Pascual is enjoining “each Filipino citizen to
stand behind the Constitution, and contribute to
national stability and progress by adhering to
calmness, sobriety, and genuine cooperation.”
With Arroyo’s confession, the police and military
sought everyone to put an end to the wiretapping and
election fraud controversies and direct their energies
to helping the government realize its programs.
“We must move on as a nation and take advantage of the
opportunities for progress that have been sidetracked
by the recent events,” Lomibao said./DMS
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
NPA is worse threat than destabilization plots against government, says PNP chief
By Ronron
June 27, 2005
The threat imposed by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) is worse than the on-and-off destabilization plots against the government, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Arturo Lomibao said Monday.
This admission came as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also announced yesterday that the NPA remains the number one threat to national security despite the reported decrease of its strength.
In an interview with reporters at Camp Crame, Lomibao said the entry of the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), in the mainstream society is more disastrous than any other groups.
"As we very well know, the entry of the armed elements of the left will not be very good for the situation on the peace and order, especially if they will be able to infiltrate the ranks of the other so-called legitimate opposition," Lomibao said.
Though there is no imminent threat, Lomibao said the PNP is watching out because "they (NPA) will always seize the initiative if they can see a revolutionary situation."
"That (take-over the government) has always been their dream, or their vision. So we are tying to watch out," Lomibao said.
Lomibao said a take over by the communist group is also more dangerous than the civilian-military junta being floated by the opposition in politics.
According to the AFP, the NPA has reduced to 7,709 in strength as of June 2005, 6.44 percent lower compared to the December 2004 figure of 8,240.
"But the NPA remains the number one threat to national security," AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Buenaventura Pascual told reporters in a briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
Quoting AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence Rear Admiral Tirso Danga, Pascual said the decrease can be attributed to the military’s sustained internal security operations, infighting within the group, and disgruntlement from field fighters who particularly complain of not receiving their financial support.
"The NPA recruitment is down. They are having leadership problem. A lot of the communist terrorists have lied low and are disgruntled over corruption within their organization," added Pascual.
The military spokesman also noted the unusual silence of CPP Spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal, who is also the commander of the NPA’s Melito Glor Command that operates in the Southern Tagalog region.
Rosal was last sighted at the boundary of Camarines Norte and Quezon provinces last month during a military operation.
Yesterday morning, elements of the Philippine Army’s 16th Infantry Battalion seized an NPA camp after an encounter with the rebel group in Sitio Malatulan, Barangay Sablang in General Nakar town, Quezon.
Pascual said the government troops chanced upon some 20 NPA members in the area at around 6:30 am, ensuing a 30-minute firefight.
No casualty was reported on the government side while it is believed that the rebel group sustained an undetermined number of casualties who were brought along by their fleeing comrades.
The soldiers recovered later an enemy camp in the area with 25 bunkers and three M16 rifles loaded with live ammunitions./DMS
June 27, 2005
The threat imposed by the communist New People’s Army (NPA) is worse than the on-and-off destabilization plots against the government, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Arturo Lomibao said Monday.
This admission came as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also announced yesterday that the NPA remains the number one threat to national security despite the reported decrease of its strength.
In an interview with reporters at Camp Crame, Lomibao said the entry of the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), in the mainstream society is more disastrous than any other groups.
"As we very well know, the entry of the armed elements of the left will not be very good for the situation on the peace and order, especially if they will be able to infiltrate the ranks of the other so-called legitimate opposition," Lomibao said.
Though there is no imminent threat, Lomibao said the PNP is watching out because "they (NPA) will always seize the initiative if they can see a revolutionary situation."
"That (take-over the government) has always been their dream, or their vision. So we are tying to watch out," Lomibao said.
Lomibao said a take over by the communist group is also more dangerous than the civilian-military junta being floated by the opposition in politics.
According to the AFP, the NPA has reduced to 7,709 in strength as of June 2005, 6.44 percent lower compared to the December 2004 figure of 8,240.
"But the NPA remains the number one threat to national security," AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Buenaventura Pascual told reporters in a briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
Quoting AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence Rear Admiral Tirso Danga, Pascual said the decrease can be attributed to the military’s sustained internal security operations, infighting within the group, and disgruntlement from field fighters who particularly complain of not receiving their financial support.
"The NPA recruitment is down. They are having leadership problem. A lot of the communist terrorists have lied low and are disgruntled over corruption within their organization," added Pascual.
The military spokesman also noted the unusual silence of CPP Spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal, who is also the commander of the NPA’s Melito Glor Command that operates in the Southern Tagalog region.
Rosal was last sighted at the boundary of Camarines Norte and Quezon provinces last month during a military operation.
Yesterday morning, elements of the Philippine Army’s 16th Infantry Battalion seized an NPA camp after an encounter with the rebel group in Sitio Malatulan, Barangay Sablang in General Nakar town, Quezon.
Pascual said the government troops chanced upon some 20 NPA members in the area at around 6:30 am, ensuing a 30-minute firefight.
No casualty was reported on the government side while it is believed that the rebel group sustained an undetermined number of casualties who were brought along by their fleeing comrades.
The soldiers recovered later an enemy camp in the area with 25 bunkers and three M16 rifles loaded with live ammunitions./DMS
PNP all set for Cardinal Sin's burial
By Ronron
June 27, 2005
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is all set for the burial today (Tuesday) of the remains of former Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin at the Manila Cathedral in Manila City.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Vidal Querol said some 800 policemen will be deployed at the Intramuros district of Manila in anticipation of the thousands of people, including former and present government officials and foreign diplomats, who will attend the interment set at 9am today.
In addition, 130 traffic enforcers will be stationed at the vicinity of the Manila Cathedral to supervise the flow of traffic.
Sin will be buried in a crypt under the alter of the Manila Cathedral, which is the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, in accordance with tradition. He succumbed to death last June 21 due to multiple organ failure. He was 76.
Querol said streets leading to the Manila Cathedral will be closed to traffic as early as 6 am./DMS
June 27, 2005
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is all set for the burial today (Tuesday) of the remains of former Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin at the Manila Cathedral in Manila City.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Vidal Querol said some 800 policemen will be deployed at the Intramuros district of Manila in anticipation of the thousands of people, including former and present government officials and foreign diplomats, who will attend the interment set at 9am today.
In addition, 130 traffic enforcers will be stationed at the vicinity of the Manila Cathedral to supervise the flow of traffic.
Sin will be buried in a crypt under the alter of the Manila Cathedral, which is the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, in accordance with tradition. He succumbed to death last June 21 due to multiple organ failure. He was 76.
Querol said streets leading to the Manila Cathedral will be closed to traffic as early as 6 am./DMS
PDEA monitoring five transnational and 130 local groups involved in illegal drugs
By Ronron
June 27, 2005
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is monitoring five transnational and 130 local groups involved in the illegal drugs business in the country.
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Anselmo Avenido, Jr. said during Monday’s celebration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking that the transnational syndicates include mostly Chinese nationals who prefer to operate in the Philippines because of the cheaper cost of producing illegal drugs here and the lax justice system of the government.
"We have assigned specific teams to go after them (illegal drugs syndicates)… What we do is, periodically, we conduct intelligence workshop, not only among PDEA personnel, but also intelligence personnel from the Philippine National Police, from the (National Bureau of Investigation), from the (Bureau of) Customs. And we evaluate the status of these drug personalities," Avenido said.
The official refused, however, to disclose to reporters the profile of these groups pending their neutralization.
But he hinted that no Japanese syndicate is directly included in the five transnational groups they are observing.
Though he admitted that some of the equipment and precursors used in the manufacture of illegal drugs that were seized in previous anti-drug operations came from Japan, Avenido said no Japanese group is involved in the manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs here.
"Their (Japanese syndicates) concern is on bringing the illegal drugs from the Philippines to Japan. And their usual (preference) is marijuana," Avenido said, noting that marijuana is very rare in Japan.
Marijuana is only considered as the "poor second" widely-used dangerous drugs in the Philippines, far from the extensively circulated methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.
Avenido said that involvement of foreign nationals in drug trafficking is very apparent in almost all the big-volume seizures by law enforcement authorities.
As of May this year, he said 11 foreign nationals have been arrested, resulting to the confiscation of 210.09 grams of shabu. Last year, 56 foreigners were arrested and a total of 717.56 kilograms of shabu, 13 kilograms of ephedrine (a shabu precursor), large amounts of other essential chemicals and several laboratory equipment were seized, all with an overall estimated value of P5 billion.
Avenido disclosed that since PDEA was established on July 30, 2002, a total of 32 shabu laboratories and 11 storage facilities all over the country have been discovered and dismantled, resulting in the confiscation of P40 billion worth of dangerous drugs, precursors and equipment.
He also reported that for the same period, more than 70,000 drug personalities have already been arrested.
Tagging the dangerous drugs problem as the number one concern of the country, Avenido appealed for the public’s support in solving it. "Our drug problem is the problem of everybody, not just of the Filipinos but all the people in the world. If we want to address this problem, we should not just rely on one sector, like the PDEA for that matter," he said.
His plea was echoed by United Nations (UN) Secretary General Koffi Annan, who sent a message through UN Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Country Coordinator Dr. Maria Elena Borromeo.
"On this day, let us strengthen our collective resolve to live in a society free of drugs, and let us encourage all our fellow human beings to make personal choices to lead healthy lives," Annan said, consistent of the celebration’s theme, "Value Yourself, Make Healthy Choices."
Authorities have expressed alarm on the prevailing illegal drugs problem because of the fact that nearly 200 million people around the world are still consuming it, around 3.4 million of them coming from the Philippines.
Avenido said it remains a threat because the P300 billion industry as far as the Philippines is concerned continues to draw not just users, but also pushers and traffickers.
Speaking in the same activity, Ilocos Norte Representative Roque Ablan (1st District), Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said the problem thrives because of the government’s lack of political will to impose the maximum penalty of death on convicted drug pushers and manufacturers.
"I am seeking the signatures of my fellow Congressmen for the petition that I will submit to the President for the killing of all convicted detainees facing death penalties… Let us show to the people that you (President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) mean business," Ablan said.
The solon said that as far as legislation is concerned, the Congress has been pushing for the inclusion of drug awareness in school curriculum, especially for the elementary level; the possibility of allowing policemen to do wiretapping on illegal drug personalities; the reduction from 50 to 10 grams of the minimum volume of illegal drugs that a suspect should possess so he/she can not post bail; and the advocacy to put up a special court, judge and prosecutor to handle only illegal drugs cases.
Meanwhile, with the intensive campaign against shabu, Avenido disclosed drug dependents are beginning to shift to the use of marijuana, resulting to the increase of the market value of the latter.
According to PDEA statistics, a gram of shabu is worth P2,000 while marijuana dried leaves cost only P25 per gram. The new marijuana price, however, has not yet been determined by PDEA.
Aside from the two, Avenido identified the third most widely used dangerous drugs in the Philippines as ecstasy which is limited to the wealthy because of its high cost, P1,200 per piece.
A new dangerous drug has also recently been approved by the Dangerous Drugs Board, identified as Ketamine or Super K.
Avenido said Ketamine, a liquid medical substance contained in small vials, have been misused and abused by drug dependents since December 2003. Sourced from India, the drug is supposed to be anesthetic, especially for animals, particularly horse and cows.
"They remove it from the vial, and heat it. When the evaporation starts to take place, a white powdery substance forms on the base of the container. This is what the users inhale," Avenido described the process of transforming the controlled drug to a dangerous drug.
The DDB approved the classification of Ketamine as a dangerous drugs last week, and is expected to be effective before end of July./DMS
June 27, 2005
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is monitoring five transnational and 130 local groups involved in the illegal drugs business in the country.
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Anselmo Avenido, Jr. said during Monday’s celebration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking that the transnational syndicates include mostly Chinese nationals who prefer to operate in the Philippines because of the cheaper cost of producing illegal drugs here and the lax justice system of the government.
"We have assigned specific teams to go after them (illegal drugs syndicates)… What we do is, periodically, we conduct intelligence workshop, not only among PDEA personnel, but also intelligence personnel from the Philippine National Police, from the (National Bureau of Investigation), from the (Bureau of) Customs. And we evaluate the status of these drug personalities," Avenido said.
The official refused, however, to disclose to reporters the profile of these groups pending their neutralization.
But he hinted that no Japanese syndicate is directly included in the five transnational groups they are observing.
Though he admitted that some of the equipment and precursors used in the manufacture of illegal drugs that were seized in previous anti-drug operations came from Japan, Avenido said no Japanese group is involved in the manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs here.
"Their (Japanese syndicates) concern is on bringing the illegal drugs from the Philippines to Japan. And their usual (preference) is marijuana," Avenido said, noting that marijuana is very rare in Japan.
Marijuana is only considered as the "poor second" widely-used dangerous drugs in the Philippines, far from the extensively circulated methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.
Avenido said that involvement of foreign nationals in drug trafficking is very apparent in almost all the big-volume seizures by law enforcement authorities.
As of May this year, he said 11 foreign nationals have been arrested, resulting to the confiscation of 210.09 grams of shabu. Last year, 56 foreigners were arrested and a total of 717.56 kilograms of shabu, 13 kilograms of ephedrine (a shabu precursor), large amounts of other essential chemicals and several laboratory equipment were seized, all with an overall estimated value of P5 billion.
Avenido disclosed that since PDEA was established on July 30, 2002, a total of 32 shabu laboratories and 11 storage facilities all over the country have been discovered and dismantled, resulting in the confiscation of P40 billion worth of dangerous drugs, precursors and equipment.
He also reported that for the same period, more than 70,000 drug personalities have already been arrested.
Tagging the dangerous drugs problem as the number one concern of the country, Avenido appealed for the public’s support in solving it. "Our drug problem is the problem of everybody, not just of the Filipinos but all the people in the world. If we want to address this problem, we should not just rely on one sector, like the PDEA for that matter," he said.
His plea was echoed by United Nations (UN) Secretary General Koffi Annan, who sent a message through UN Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Country Coordinator Dr. Maria Elena Borromeo.
"On this day, let us strengthen our collective resolve to live in a society free of drugs, and let us encourage all our fellow human beings to make personal choices to lead healthy lives," Annan said, consistent of the celebration’s theme, "Value Yourself, Make Healthy Choices."
Authorities have expressed alarm on the prevailing illegal drugs problem because of the fact that nearly 200 million people around the world are still consuming it, around 3.4 million of them coming from the Philippines.
Avenido said it remains a threat because the P300 billion industry as far as the Philippines is concerned continues to draw not just users, but also pushers and traffickers.
Speaking in the same activity, Ilocos Norte Representative Roque Ablan (1st District), Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said the problem thrives because of the government’s lack of political will to impose the maximum penalty of death on convicted drug pushers and manufacturers.
"I am seeking the signatures of my fellow Congressmen for the petition that I will submit to the President for the killing of all convicted detainees facing death penalties… Let us show to the people that you (President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) mean business," Ablan said.
The solon said that as far as legislation is concerned, the Congress has been pushing for the inclusion of drug awareness in school curriculum, especially for the elementary level; the possibility of allowing policemen to do wiretapping on illegal drug personalities; the reduction from 50 to 10 grams of the minimum volume of illegal drugs that a suspect should possess so he/she can not post bail; and the advocacy to put up a special court, judge and prosecutor to handle only illegal drugs cases.
Meanwhile, with the intensive campaign against shabu, Avenido disclosed drug dependents are beginning to shift to the use of marijuana, resulting to the increase of the market value of the latter.
According to PDEA statistics, a gram of shabu is worth P2,000 while marijuana dried leaves cost only P25 per gram. The new marijuana price, however, has not yet been determined by PDEA.
Aside from the two, Avenido identified the third most widely used dangerous drugs in the Philippines as ecstasy which is limited to the wealthy because of its high cost, P1,200 per piece.
A new dangerous drug has also recently been approved by the Dangerous Drugs Board, identified as Ketamine or Super K.
Avenido said Ketamine, a liquid medical substance contained in small vials, have been misused and abused by drug dependents since December 2003. Sourced from India, the drug is supposed to be anesthetic, especially for animals, particularly horse and cows.
"They remove it from the vial, and heat it. When the evaporation starts to take place, a white powdery substance forms on the base of the container. This is what the users inhale," Avenido described the process of transforming the controlled drug to a dangerous drug.
The DDB approved the classification of Ketamine as a dangerous drugs last week, and is expected to be effective before end of July./DMS
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