Plots around the globe....

Terror Alerts: C. Mindanao, Germany, & the UK…

24 04 2007

Terror threats and alerts have been issued versus plots in areas in the southern Philippines in recent days by the USA, Australia, and Canada. One bombing did go off about the same time a warden notice was issued. A pair of what police are calling would be bombers blew themsleves up before they could plant a device while on a motorcycle.Th Attack which took place in Cotabato City in Mindanao is still being invetigated but evidence points terror cells of Jemaah Islamiah and the Abu Sayyaf.

DND downplays US, Australia travel advisories Bayanihan.org
Philippine Defense Secretary downplays travel advisories by US … People’s Daily Online
Defense chief dismisses travel advisories on Mindanao Sun.Star

Cotabato is also where Al Qeada suspects stand accused in the UK of funneling funds for the setting up of a crude Biological weapons lab - the facility closed now for a logn time provided a very specific insight into the ties groups in Europe, Asia, and Japanworked closely together on plots. The UK terror plot warning for example is traced to groups or cells planing something ‘bigger than 911″ for London. Or so say news reports and blog sites like nooneinparticular.

[]”…Al-Qaeda ‘planning big British attack’ nooneinparticular. Tags: terrorism

TimesOnline (UK): Spy chiefs warn that one operative had said he was planning an attack on “a par with Hiroshima and Nagasaki” in an attempt to “shake the Roman throne”, a reference to the West. … “[]

Meanwhile Plice and Military units in the Philippines are on the verge of declaring a rebel leader to the level of terrorist - as fighting grows worse in Mindanao with more attacks on civilians.

Fighting has raged at least on one part the southern Philippines - on Jolo island where heavy gunbattles are raging between a rebel faction that was once part of the Moro national Liberation Front which made peace with the philippine government.

Battle between Marines and MNLF captured on video

07:40 PM 04/23/2007

The divereted attention has allowed at least one band of Abu Sayyaf fighters to use the divirsion by the renegade group of MNLF fighters according to the military to allow the Abu Sayyaf to sow terror with the beheadings of seven six workers on foreign funded government road projects in a southern area of the province.

Beheadings shocking reminder violent Abu Sayyaf still around
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf guerrillas, largely written off as a crippled force after a US-backed offensive killed its top two …
Philippine Army Vowed to Crash Abu Sayyaf Militants after Beheadings
The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand - Apr 20, 2007
The notorious group is on a list of US terrorist organizations and has a reputation for bombings, mass abductions and beheadings in the Philippines. …

But even off the ‘terror track’ in Germany warnings have been issued about plots and schemes linked to al qaeda and other factions seeking to hit Germany in order to make the Germans ‘run like Spaniards’ not my words - butt to quote al qaeda propaganda with a Madrid styled attack targeting westerners in Germany.

US bases in Europe to conduct security exercises after embassy …
IRNA, Iran -An interior ministry spokesman said there was an “Islamist imension” to the alert but refused to go into specifics of the alleged threat. …
Islamist threats triggered US terror warning in Germany Indian Muslims
Germans monitor possible US base threat Stars and Stripes

The goal of Al Q on this plot according to media reports citing intel sources of both the USA and NATO is more attacks in Europe to get ’soft’ Europeans to abandon the fight in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

But, Europe has long done away its lust for blood and wars - a good thing really - considering how much Spain and Germany have contributed to warfare over the centuries. In the short term Al qaeda is a organisation without a secure base to build on thus driving the USA out of Iraq and NATO out of Afghanistan is major goal in the short to medium term.

But atacks on Europe seek to bring back the Teutonic fervor of the crusaders of centuries past by the extremists. If one is look closely - What Al Q really wants or say theorists is to bring back the blind rage and fight of the Crusades - thus allowing Al Q to fuel passions in the Islamic world forcing it to unite and force a fight over the Holy land. Or so reports and analysis of statements and chatter seem to say… if thats the case then looks like our grandchildren will have to settle this thing or even theirs unless peace and understanding makes it somehow in this war that is afterall not one of terror or agianst it. But like all Wars a battle to restore peace.

disaster, bush, Philippine, plots and threats, terrorism 2.07, New Zealand, Democrats, asia, Iraq, war on terror, terrorism, Philippines, News

« Peace Corps Teacher: ‘Bludgeoned to death’ in Philippines

YOUTUBE & the Philippine election campaign ads

Philippine politics:left, right, and, center all campaign on YOUTUBE

As a journalist I take no sides and always try to balance out my reporting even on my blog ---- a story I did recently for a TV News organization abroad discussed the use of text, MMS, and video based web campaign technology in use this 2007 election here in the country.

It's value for money a PC some basic digital editing and a little bit of skill as good Internet connection and anyone can campaign on-line on various free video services like YOUTUBE, GOOGLE VIDEOS, and Yahoo videos - uploading and embedding the videos on blogs, Friendster, Myspace, and elsewhere those seeking political space on the world wide web.

It seems nearly all sides in this election have discovered cyberspace as free space for TVC material on youtube this election. Party list groups Gabriella and Kabataan are the web as well as Bayan Muna.

Gabriella:

Kabataan:

From the 'right wing', 'military reformist', or, 'rebel' ranks of Philippine politics both Sen. Gregorio Honasan Lt SG Trillianes both seeking senate seats are on the free space provided by YOUTUBE as well.

Gregorio 'Gringo' Honasan:

Antonio Trillanes

Meanwhile mainstream political ads are also out there... Here's a few:

Chiz Escudero has two spots on youtube both also on TV The Band version:

And the pro kids in school version:

On the administration front:

Migz Zubiri

The thinking voter Amigo ng Bayan version:

Chavit Singon

Who is he version:

I'll try to ad more as I find them if you know of more please do link them in comments- I wonder if we could a 'vote' on the best ads and version a lot of hard work goes into making these - sometimes - its done by the candidates themselves at other-times by Film makers ... Political ads are also a popular target for 'spoofs'

I wonder when we we will start seeing some these ads 'spoofed' anytime soon.

Volcano alert in the Philippines

Reports of Two volcano’s under tight watch south of Manila - in Sorsogon province Mt. Bulusan erupted with several ash eruptions later on in the day on Easter Sunday. While just South of Manila - Taal volcano - a landmark with it’s famous lake within extinct volcano crater that has an island with another lake within the crater of a active volcano

[ “… Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Renato Solidum reported that in Sorsogon Province, Mt. Bulusan exploded around 5:45 a.m., and sent ash up as high as 1.5 kilometers. Solidom added that several ash explosions occurred, spewing ash up as high as four kilometers,” Solidum added volcanic earthquakes were felt prior to the eruption. It is the fourth time that Mt. Bulusan erupted this year and the 14th since 2006.

Meanwhile - Phivolcs has raised the alert level at Taal Volcano a popular day trip and vacation spot where tens of thousands of tourists on Easter Holiday were told no trips would be allowed to shore areas where steam and sulphur discharges have been noted in Batangas Province some two hours drive south of the capitol and issued warning against venturing near the area.
Solidum said Taal is showing “abnormality” in the last few days. “The crater is hot - bubbling. No one should venture near the crater area. We have received reports of tourists venturing near the area, we hope they won’t do that,” he said. …”]

Video:

http://www.gmanews.tv/video/5483/Mt-Bulusan-explodes-on-Easter-Sunday

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV
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Reports:

» Bicol disaster units alerted for Bulusan

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

» Easter Sunday alert: Bulusan explodes; Taal acting up, too

[” .. JUBAN, Sorsogon- At least 24 barangays (villages) were blanketed in ash following yet another explosion of Mount Bulusan early morning of Easter Sunday, … ‘]

Entry Filed under: mt. bulusan, philippine volcano, Taal volcano, eruption, volcano, Bicol

In the pre-dawn hours of Holy Saturday a fire whipped out thousands of homes in the Capitol suburb of Mandaluyong City, an area that is within a few miles of the manila financial districts of Ortigas and Makati. Reports say only two injuries were reported. Most urban dwellings like this sprawling shantytown often are victim to fires caused mostly by faulty or defective wiring. A number of homes typically are hooked up together to homes with electric meters often by simple extension cords.

Investigators are also looking into other possibilities as to the cause of the fire- oftentimes - arson can never really be ruled out in these fires which are seen also as a way owners of large tracts of land with squatter communities in the past have used to attempt to regain ownership and control over disputed areas such as this one. Another possible angle looked into -although unlikely - is the specter of terrorist arson - not unheard of but, in this case it is unlikely.

Also - heard on radio this Easter morning was another point of discussion - one radio host said - with the loss of so many homes and an entire district so close to election time - political gerrymandering is also being looked into - as 6,000 families could mean as many as 18,000 votes - in tight races a large movement of so many voters out of a district could change the balance of a tight election contest. news articles »

6000 homeless after five in Philippines
United Press International - MANDALUYONG CITY, April 7 (UPI) — An early morning fire that spread through several blocks of a city in the Philippines left more than 6000 people homeless …
1200 families lose homes in fire in Manila slum Peninsula On-line

Entry Filed under: OFW, Manila, ASEAN, Makati, fil-am, Calfironia, filipino-american, Pinoy, Buhay ofw, Politics, News and politics, terrorism, philippines, freedom of speech, Filipino, news