A story I rote for a Guam based website that i think is what may from the sources I interviewed a likely outcome of the crisis in Burma.

Pacific News Center

Burma's narcotics labs produce a blended pill form of crystal methamphetamine – Yaba, Ecstasy, and other street terms - and continues to be a major source ...
. -##M:[more]##

Burma Crisis: Drug flood fears across region

PNC Special Report: Myanmar Crisis

The U.S. State Department released its International Narcotics report for 2008, which warns that the political problems in Burma are leaving drug production centers unchecked, and corruption problems in government mean that it has become Asia’s central distribution area for meth pills and production point for many criminal trafficking groups. Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. West Coast could feel the impact

“Burma’s military regime has not made the necessary efforts to curb production and has also been very lackluster in the areas of demand reduction,” Christy McCampbell , Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs told reporters at a briefing.
Worse, even prior to the crisis, there seemed to be little effort to stem the trade and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) believes this may indicate large scale participation of security forces in the protection of the production center, “We think these are important, interdiction that’s very important and combating corruption. ” McCampbell added.

CRISIS DEEPENING TENSION RISING

On the streets of what the military junta calls, Yangoon, Myanmar, there is fear. Last Thursday night, reports of arrests and deaths surfaced, as a crackdown began against over 100,000 people who had been filling the streets daily in protest. Led by Buddhist monks, the brave marched in over violent dispersals from an earlier smaller march. There is mass anger over fuel price increases that have hit the poor, and most Burmese, hard.

The marches in Yangoon were seeking a formal apology from the country’s military rulers, as earlier protests had been met by military force. It all started on August 15th when the Myanmar government raised the price of fuel by 500%, taking away subsidies that had kept life liveable for the poorest of the people once called Burmese.

“This sparked a series of peaceful demonstrations all over the country, beginning with demonstrations in Rangoon, now called Yangon, the former capital of the country. They have since spread to Pakokku and Mandalay in Northern Burma.” Free Foreign Policy center reported Thursday, “In Pakokku, Buddhist monks reportedly took army officers hostage for a few hours, then in Mandalay, where traditionally monks have been highly politicized and aware, the army has units surrounding the city in readiness for an inevitable clampdown.”

The US government and European Union have warned Myanmar’s military rulers to respect human rights, allow the will of the people and free elected leaders it has kept under house arrest for nearly two decades. Burma’s government had earlier been hit hard by the United States a week ago when it was named a major narcotics producer.

‘MAJOR’ NARCOTICS PRODUCING COUNTRY

Burma’s narcotics labs produce a blended pill form of crystal methamphetamine – Yaba, Ecstasy, and other street terms - and continues to be a major source of problems for the Asia Pacific region, so reports the U.S. DEA.

In the recent briefing held in Washington D.C., Burma’s drugs are trans-shipped though other Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, the Philippines, and Cambodia, and onto Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI). The State Department says it continues to be a threat to the people of Guam, Hawaii and the West Coast of the United States.

“Burma is the largest source of methamphetamine pills in Asia and pill production continues to grow.” McCampbell pointed to a marked shift in Burma from opium to ‘meth pills’ and ‘ice’ production, “The country’s declining poppy cultivation has been matched by a sharp increase in methamphetamine production.”

Burma was singled out in the report along with Venezuela, but the Burmese problem is more directly effecting Americans living in the Pacific Rim, with drug trafficking organizations believed using the American Pacific islands, Guam, the CNMI, and Hawaii as larger dollar earning markets for the products they make. Pill form methamphetamine, is often considered by drug enforcement agencies as the most deadly, often causing severe mental side effects and instant addiction. Burma’s continued failure to act on its growing role as a narcotics trade center will lead to the imposition of trade and economic penalties under U.S. law.

DEA Issues warning to Law Enforcement to expect more ‘Burma pills’

The DEA reports, “Methamphetamine tablets are produced primarily in Burma and usually contain a combination of powder methamphetamine and caffeine.” Description and types of pills seized over the years vary, “Methamphetamine tablets found in the United States typically are green or orange-red in color, imprinted with a variety of symbols, most commonly WY or R.

“The pills are approximately the size of a pencil eraser.” The use often varies. “Methamphetamine tablets typically are ingested orally and often are flavored and scented like candy grape, orange, or vanilla.” Tablets also are smoked by placing the tablet on a piece of aluminum foil and passing a heat source underneath the foil until the tablet melts and vapors - which are inhaled -are released.

Regional narcotics experts fear that with the Burmese military engaged in a crackdown on dissidents, there may be a rise in the smuggling operations of pill-based and more traditional opium deliveries along the ‘Golden Triangle’. - PNC International

Cell Phone Stuff i never knew..well sorta didn't know...

Emergency

THE CLAIM: The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.

THE FACTS: Calling 112 on your cell phone will (in some parts of the world, primarily Europe) connect you to local emergency services, even if you are outside your provider's service area (i.e., even if you are not authorized to relay signals through the cell tower that handles your call), and many cell phones allow the user to place 112 calls even if the phone lacks a SIM card or its keypad is locked. However, the 112 number does not have (as is sometimes claimed) special properties that enable callers to use it in areas where all cellular signals are blocked (or otherwise unavailable).


Have you locked your keys in the car?

THE CLAIM: Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday.

Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

THE FACTS: Cars with remote keyless entry (RKE) systems cannot be unlocked by relaying a key fob transmitter signal via a cellular telephone. RKE systems and cell phones utilize different types of signals and transmit them at different frequencies.


Hidden Battery Power

THE CLAIM: Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#

Your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time.


THE FACTS: The claim that pressing the sequence *3370# will unleash "hidden battery power" in a cell phone seems to be a misunderstanding of an option available on some brands of cell phone (such as Nokia) for Half Rate Codec, which provides about 30% more talk time on a battery charge at the expense of lower sound quality. However, this option is enabled by pressing the sequence *#4720# — the sequence *3370# actually enables Enhanced Full Rate Codec, which provides better sound quality at the expense of shorter battery life.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Speech at the Sixty-Second Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, 28 September 2007, New York

September 29th, 2007 · No Comments

The Philippines in the UN: 
Building Bridges in the 21st Century

Mr. President,

Congratulations on your election to the UN General Assembly. Congratulations also to our Secretary-General, H.E. Ban Ki-Moon, who was such a good friend of the Philippines when he was Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea. We embrace his vow to focus on strengthening the three pillars of the United Nations (development, security and human rights).

THE UN IS A PILLAR OF DEVELOPMENT.

It plays a major large role for the Philippines. Poverty alleviation is the most important part of our agenda and our vision to lift the Philippines into a modernized nation in twenty years. We want to be actively engaged in local, regional and global affairs because that is the future.

We believe in the power of the global trading system to alleviate poverty and modernize nations through market forces. That does not mean we believe that countries like the Philippines are ready to compete head-to-head today in every sector, but it does mean that we cannot afford to be afraid of globalization.

By being increasingly connected to the world, the Philippine economy has reached a new level of maturity and stability with some of the strongest macroeconomic fundamentals in 20 years.

Six years ago, no one thought we could get more revenues, cut down on tax cheats, strengthen the peso and move the stock market.

And no one thought we could bring our budget into balance, which we did last month, pre-pay our debts and raise employment, but we have. We must both grow our economy and sustain our natural environment at the same time. We are developing and promoting our Green Philippines agenda. It emphasizes a sustainable economic model that brings economic opportunity and a concern for our environment.

At the Secretary General’s High Level Meeting on Climate Change earlier this week, UN member nations focused on what the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol meetings in Bali this December should do.

The Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol has allowed developing countries like the Philippines to voluntarily reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through private sector initiatives. But there is a need to expand the carbon market and to expand international cooperation and financial support to promote strategies to adapt to climate change.

Too many nations, developed and developing, believe the environment must be sacrificed at the altar of growth.

We believe otherwise. We believe that we have a unique opportunity to get it right from day one: to introduce new industries that are clean and profitable. This includes a biofuels industry that helps our energy independence, creates jobs and keeps our nation clean for future generations.

We are further developing our geothermal power which is one of the two largest in the world.

We reiterate our commitment to the global trading system and when that fails us, to strengthening ASEAN, APEC and regional relations to bolster our economy.

The multilateral trading system, through the Doha Round, remains the best option to address poverty and improve standards of living around the world through an agreed set of international trade rules.

The Doha Development Agenda was launched with an emphasis on integrating a developmental dimension into all elements of the negotiations.

To make the Doha Round truly a Development Round, there must be greater coherence of policies among international development institutions (e.g. World Bank, IMF, UNDP and WTO) so that trade is mainstreamed in the development agenda and therefore capacity building can be focused on trade competitiveness.

As part of capacity-building, we call on the UN and our partners among developed nations to strengthen South-South cooperation wherein developing nations with specific strengths can share with other developing nations in need of their strength, funded by developed nations or multilaterals like the UNDP.

The developed nations were the prime movers behind global trade when it suited them; now some countries are slowing things down. That is not right nor good for our respective economies.

There has been a ray of hope with the developed countries declaring that they are willing to maximize flexibilities, in exchange for greater market access.

On the sidelines of the UN session, we hope the contending countries can continue consulting to find the right formula of subsidy cuts and market access that will break the Doha impasse.

But let me be clear: even as the Philippines works tirelessly to move the talks forward, we are not going to stand by and do nothing. For us, it is full speed ahead, preferably with Doha, but full speed nevertheless.

We recognize that if the multilateral trading system is fragmented into trading blocs, it will result in a more complex set of trade rules. That could be incompatible and detrimental to the interests of developing countries. In the meantime, while we are hoping for a successful conclusion to the Doha Round, we have to maximize the economic opportunities provided under bilateral and regional free trade agreements. This will complement efforts under the multilateral trading system.

At a time of uncertainty when the Doha Round is faltering, ASEAN took a bold step forward by drafting its Charter.

This is our first step to creating a permanent sense of security.

We are working towards a single market with free movement of goods, ideas and skilled talent.

In APEC, the world’s largest economy, the United States, and the world’s fastest growing economy, China, are active participants.

We have a strong alliance with the US, who remains our largest trading partner as well as our strongest strategic ally. We have stood shoulder to shoulder for many generations. We expect to continue building on our mature relationship with the US.

We have also forged a strong relationship with China. We see China’s rise as a significant opportunity for the Philippines. Our overall relations are now more confident and comprehensive.

Relations are not just about trade. They are also about people. And this includes migration, a world-side reality.

We thank the Secretary General for supporting the Philippines’ hosting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development next year, to which we invite all Member States to participate.

Overseas Filipino Workers are honored by the government and the people for their sacrifice and dedication to their work, their family and their nation. We welcome their contribution. But we are working towards the day when Filipinos no longer need to go abroad for a job, the day that overseas work is just another career option.

We believe that our ambitious economic reforms will increasingly be keeping our best and brightest right in the Philippines, closer to friends and families, helping to build our communities and provide the next generation of leadership.

THE UN IS A PILLAR OF SECURITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS.

It remains the central pillar underpinning conflict resolution.

Our country is among the largest, if not the largest, contributor of police officers to UN peacekeeping missions.

The Philippines has peacekeepers, both police and military, in Afghanistan, Cote D’Ivoire, Georgia, Haiti , Kosovo , Liberia , Sudan and Timor Leste.

We will continue our participation to safeguard communities so that they may overcome conflict and regain the peace needed to pursue development.

Closer to home, I have personally advanced the process of peace in Muslim and Christian Mindanao to a new level of engagement, focused on interfaith dialogue, economic development and mutual security. We have done so with the largest possible international involvement, including the UN. Peace there is very much an issue of human rights, just as alleviating poverty is, which is our number one issue.

The Philippines is the most democratic country in our region. We have no tolerance for human rights violations at home or abroad.

We support the effort to revitalize and refocus the work of the UN in human rights. It is for this reason that the Philippines sought and won a seat in the Human Rights Council.

The attention of the international community has been drawn, with great reason and justification, to the current situation in Myanmar.

Ladies and gentlemen:

This is the time for Myanmar to return to the path of democracy and to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi – now – and to involve all the parties including the National League for Democracy in the democratization and the constitutional process.

IN CONCLUSION

Mr. President.

The number of globe-size issues we will face in the 21st century will require globe-size cooperation. We must build bridges of peace and prosperity. The place to start is building a stronger United Nations.

Tags: Pres. Arroyo · philippines

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo beams as she is introduced by former Georgetown Univ..classmate US President Bill Clinton (extreme left) at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Opening Plenary at the Sheraton New York Hotel (Benjamin Basug/OPS-NIB Photo)

These are exciting times for business and investors in the Philippines, with the country firmly on track to permanent economic growth and stability.

With this as the defining theme of her three-day investment mission here, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regaled top American leaders with the bright prospects of doing business in the Philippines.

“I believe the Philippines offers one of the best values in Asia for domestic and foreign investors,” the President told the US business executives during the Outsourcing Summit: Roadmap 2010 held at the Starlight Rooftop of Waldorf Astoria Towers Thursday evening (Sept. 27, New York time).

She pointed out that the Philippines is ranked as one of the most attractive off-shoring destinations in the world not only in terms of cost competitiveness, but more importantly the “country’s highly trainable, English-proficient management manpower.”

No less than the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its 2007 Global Sourcing Study cited the Philippines as the No. 2 “most preferred offshoring destination after India,” the President said.

The difference is that India has a billion population from which it draws its offshoring manpower compared to the Philippine population of 80 million, she added.

Now the fastest growing sector of the economy, the $3.6- billion business services industry has created 300,000 new jobs since 2000, the President said.

She pointed out that after years of sluggish if not negative growth, the Philippine economy has registered some of the strongest macroeconomic fundamentals in two decades.

“Six years ago, no one thought we could get more revenues, cut down on tax cheats, strengthen the peso and move the stock market. And no one thought we could bring our budget into balance, which we did last month, lower our debts and raise employment, but we have,” the President said.

She said that the heavy investment inflow into the Philippines has been anchored by the billion dollar plus investments by several major international corporations, among them Texas Instruments, Hanjin of South Korea, Marubeni and Tokyo Electric of Japan and AES of the US.

The upsurge of investments is taking place across a broad spectrum of the economy and her administration is working to ensure that the inflows will be sustained, she added.

“We are committed to consolidating the gains in the new revenue by making long overdue investments in human and physical infrastructure” by pouring billions of pesos into education, healthcare, skills training, new roads, bridges and ports to further raise the level of competitiveness of the Philippines, the President said.

She urged those who have invested in the Philippines to “continue to do so. And to those of you who are just getting to know the Philippines, we urge you to come and explore all that the country has to offer you and your business.”

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Philippine Government statement on Myanmar

September 27th, 2007 · No Comments

Philippine President Arroyo who is with other world leaders in New York attending the annual general assembly meeting has come out with what is one of the few statements by leaders in ASEAN versus the repression in Myanmar.

Most ASEAN leaders - like in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam are borderline countries on human rights issues. By and large while there are problems too here in the Philippines with active insurgencies and some cases of violations.

Most if not all cases that make it the courts do go through the legal process - and - widespread crackdowns like the current one in Rangoon are rare. However, Burma’s rulers often do as the rulers of any dictatorship do and do not pay heed to their own people let alone really listen intently to other leaders in the region.

Privately Philippine officials in Manila speaking on ‘Conditions of Anonymity’ say “China is the key here - and - China can stop the violence in Burma and should. So far its diplomats have been trying, one wonders how long Beijing will cover for the Yangoon Junta which of late has caused a lot of embarrassment and problems for the leaders Beijing.”

[]..Philippine President Arroyo: We call on Myanmar to act in its own best interests to avoid its further isolation and to redeem its democracy without any further delay. We have patiently but persistently advised Myanmar within ASEAN that it must make greater and faster progress toward that goal.
Recent events in Myanmar, therefore, are of concern to the Philippines and to the region as a whole. The Philippines asks the Government of Myanmar to act with the utmost restraint and to take immediate steps to preserve what advances have been made in its roadmap to democracy. Specifically, we ask the Government of Myanmar to now allow all interested parties to take full part in the effort to national reconciliation through peaceful and inclusive dialogue.
This means the release of all those who have been detained and who can contribute to the process of national renewal, including Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi. In addition, we ask that the Government of Myanmar invite the UN Special Envoy for Myanmar, Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, to visit the country as soon as possible. …[]

PGMA urges Myanmar to release Aung San Suu Kyi, Buddhist monks

NEW YORK (via PLDT) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday (Sept. 27, New York time) urged the government of Myanmar to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and scores of Buddhist monks who have been rounded up for staging protests against the country’s military rulers. In a statement that she distributed personally to members of the Philippine media at the Waldorf Astoria Towers where she is billeted during her three-day official trip here, the President said freeing Suu Kyi from years of house arrest serves Myanmar’s own best interests and avoid further isolation of the country from the rest of the world’s democracies. Myanmar is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) along with Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. “Recent events in Myanmar, therefore, are of concern to the Philippines and to the region as a whole,” the President said, and called on Yangon to act with “utmost restraint and to make immediate steps to preserve what advances have been made in its roadmap to democracy.” She said it was important that all stakeholders engage in a common search for a peaceful resolution of the current unrest in the country and bring about national reconciliations.. “This means,” she added, the “release of all those who have been detained and who can contribute to the process of national renewal, including Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi.” She also called on Rangoon’s military leaders to invite United Nations (UN) Special Envoy to Myanmar Ibrahim Gambari to visit that country as soon as possible to look into the situation there. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was democratically elected prime minister of Myanmar in 1990 but the military refused to hand over power to her winning National League for Democracy Party. Suu Kyi has been under house address since 1989. The President will address the UN General Assembly before noon Friday (New York time) as she winds up her official visit to the Big Apple. She is scheduled to head back to Manila Friday afternoon, (New York time).

→ No CommentsTags: Uncategorized

Crackdown Burma: “Bullets versus Buddhist’s”

September 27th, 2007 · No Comments

A stronger presence of troops were on the streets of Rangoon overnight.

Thursdays protests has led the Myanmar Military to impose stircter means to keep control and is trying to prevent more events Friday from occurring.

[] Protesters emptied the streets of the capital around 1800 Thursday. Security forces are working systematically, block by block, alley by ally in some cases house to house through the city center to ensure that no demonstrators remain….[]

Myanmar’s government is stepping up it’s effort to disrupt internal and external communication services.

Whle Satellite phone remain the most reliable method of communication, unless diplomats or investors clearly working on government projects there have been some reports of Sat-phones seized.

The evening curfew remains in place a 1800-0600hrs or dusk to dawn curfew.

Here’s what the major embassies are reporting:

[].. Travel Advisories:.

1.The US government issued a travel advisory recommending its citizens to defer non-essential travel to Myanmar.

2. The UK government also advises against all but essential travel to Myanmar.

3. There are no current indications that airlines have added flights to Yangon to prepare for a large scale evacuation of foreigners.

4. Thai Airways has rescheduled two flights on the Bangkok-Yangon route between 27 September and 5 October to ensure passengers are able to observe the curfew …[]

Observers say “the protests are likely to continue and could turn increasingly violent, as across the country - large numbers of monks and supporters are mobilizing to protest and while the military responds more vigorously to contain the demonstrations.

Other groups such as insurgents may take advantage of the situation in the countryside.

Also criminal elements may take advantage of the situation in particular the use of current unrest to smuggle more narcotics out of Burma.

In the Cities itself, the risk of an extended confrontation over coming days and possibly weeks is high. The details so far from Thursday are grim.

[] Protesters have sustained injuries, many of them wounded by gunfire.[]

On the Government as well the injuries are reportedly rising as protesters are trying to defend themselves.

[]… Approximately 31 members of the security forces were reportedly injured. Figures on casualties are likely to rise in the next 48 hours. []

Travelers and those already in Burma should be aware of some reports of arrests over curfew violations as conflicting schedules of curfew have been issued for the countryside areas and in the Cities.

[]… Conflicting reports on the curfew hours imposed on Yangon and Mandalay; the curfew is either 2100-0500 or 1800-0600….[]

→ No CommentsTags: Burma crackdown · Myanmar · Burma · mike

‘Burma Crackdown’: 9 confirmed dead

September 27th, 2007 · No Comments

Reports continue to show increased violence in Burma/Myanmar. The center of reports are coming from Yangoon/Rangoon which has so far seen nine confirmed dead with more reports coming from sources elsewhere of increasing violence and escalation in death toll.

At least one foreign journalist has been killed deliberately targeted by troops who have been trying to find anyone with a camera or device to record the events taking place on the streets of Rangoon.

[] Eight protesters and a Japanese journalist were killed during protests at several locations in Yangon.Demonstrations have continued throughout the afternoon, Thursday, there is a noticeable increase in military forces and barricades around key locations.[]

The picture on the streets is not pretty, aid agency workers there to help the Burmese people are also reportedly being advised to leave Burma for fear of reprisals from gangs of thugs who have been let loose in a bid to stem protests. most visible are military efforts to get anyone trying to voice their dissatisfaction with the Government in Burma/Myanmaar.

[] Troops continue to surround monasteries and detain monks suspected of involvement in protest activity.The heavy-handed military action has provoked an angry public reaction, which is likely to build-up over next few days. []

Much like yesterday the reports show decline in actual people in the streets but overall there seems to be more open vocal resentment given in many places to tourists, visitors, and international agency workers in the region.

[] Most estimate the number of protesters in the range of 10,000 with more smaller groups being blocked from forming through arrest and intimidation. []

Religious and Aid organizations say there is little attempt by the Military to hide their actions.

No group of people are safe in areas of protest from reprisal and even the few tourists remaining,

There have been eyewitness and first hand accounts in many areas also of people being openly targeted thier belongings searched and any cameras seized.

[].. Military units are targeting and harassing westerners seen near areas of protests. Even diplomatic staff of international agencies. There is a large number of what seem to be ‘battle hardened’ troops in areas not traditionally where these units are deployed. ..[]

For the third day in a row the ‘hot spots’ in Yangoon/Rangoon are:

1. Shwedagon and Sule Pagodas

2. Main roads connecting these two locations

3. checkpoints

4. Mandalay

SITUATION REPORT:

1. Military using cs gas (teargas) and fired warning shots to disperse protesters. At same time sending in thugs to beat or harass those fleeing teargas.

2. Over 100 monks were reportedly arrested in protest areas or nearby Thursday.

3. During two separate incidents, soldiers reportedly fired automatic weapons into crowds.

4. Military threatening protesters with “extreme action” given a failure to disperse.

FRANCE24-EN-EXCLUSIVE-Birman Officer
01:14

PNC Special Report: Myanmar Crisis Could Mean 'Burma Drug Flood' On Guam
Mike Cohen, PNC Correspondent 27.SEP.07
11:58 a.m. The U.S. State Department released its International Narcotics report for 2008, which warns that the political problems in Burma are leaving drug production centers unchecked, and corruption problems in government mean that it has become Asia's central distribution area for meth pills and production point for many criminal trafficking groups. Hawaii, Guam and the U.S. West Coast could feel the impact [more]

Global Corruption Survey

September 26th, 2007 · No Comments

Global Corruption Survey Results
9:39 a.m. Transparency International, the global international anti-corruption ‘watchdog,’ released its latest findings today in Germany. “The 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index looks at perceptions of public sector corruption in 180 countries and territories - the greatest country coverage of any CPI to date – and is a composite index that draws on 14 expert opinion surveys.” [more]

→ No CommentsTags: Uncategorized

SOS International report on Vietnam bridge collapse

Global Terrorism: Attacks increase 25% - 20,498 killed in 2006

In a report by the US Department of State to the US congress has revealed that terrorism has increased over 25% year on year and fatalities have increased by forty per cent.

The figures put into perspective the figures and deaths that while often inder reproted in media there i a major conflict on at World War Level that many in media often chose to ignore. Some 74,543 civilians were targeted.

[]”… In the annual report to Congress includes analysis from the National Counterterrorism Center, a U.S. intelligence clearinghouse, which found only a slight increase in the overall number of civilians killed, injured or kidnapped by terrorists in 2006. But the attacks were more frequent and deadlier, with a 25 percent jump in the number of terrorist attacks and a 40 percent increase in civilian fatalities from the previous year.

In 2006, NCTC reported, there were a total of 14,338 terrorist attacks around the world. These attacks targeted 74,543 civilians and resulted in 20,498 deaths. …”[]

Iraq: Center of global terrorism action

The report clearly shows that the center of the attacks is Iraq: ” Violence in Iraq accounted for 45 percent of the overall attacks counted by NCTC and 65 percent of worldwide terrorism deaths. Terrorist incidents in Iraq nearly doubled from 3,468 in 2005 to 6,630 in 2006. “

It went on further to say : “Although kidnappings declined by 50 percent internationally, Iraq experienced a 300 percent increase, according to NCTC.” an indication as shown by experience here in the Philippines that KFR and terrorism are linked. Kidnapping for Ransom is often used by terror groups and in some cases insurgents as means to both ensure community ‘cooperation’ and also a means to raise revenue.

The Philippines: ” the ‘Success’ story in war vs. terror’

The 2006 US State Department global report on counter terrorism praises the country citing “‘the Philippines” as among others in the region who are, ” playing leading roles in confronting threats from groups such as Jemaah Islamiyah and Abu Sayyaf.”

[] ” Philippines
The Philippines, one of the earliest supporters of the War on Terror, continued its bilateral and multilateral counterterrorism efforts. In August, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) launched “Operation Ultimatum”, a concerted effort to capture or kill the top Jemaah Islamiya (JI) and Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) operatives on Jolo Island in the South. The operation has been highly successful to date as a number of ASG and JI members have been captured or killed since its inception. Philippine forces recently eliminated both Khadaffy Janjalani, the nominal leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group, and ASG spokesperson, Abu Solaiman. Operation Ultimatum is one feature of a U.S.- assisted strategy to strengthen the rule of law in the Sulu archipelago. Joint U.S.-Philippines military exercises know as “Balikatan” supported the Philippine government’s campaign to separate terrorists from the general population and diminish support for their cause. The Antiterrorism Task Force arrested, captured, or killed 88 suspected terrorists, and seized over 900 kilograms of explosive materials. Philippine authorities also made some progress in tracking, blocking, and seizing terrorists’ assets.

Despite some successes, major evidentiary and procedural obstacles in the Philippines continued to hinder the building of effective terrorism cases. A large and growing case backlog and the absence of consistent trials against terrorists were impediments to the prosecution of suspected terrorists. Despite plans dating back to 2001, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had yet to introduce a digitized, machine-readable passport. While the Philippines cooperated with U.S. requests for prosecutions for persons who had tampered or altered travel documents, the prosecutions carried low-level penalties for those convicted of such fraud. In addition, there was a reluctance to investigate or charge vendors or users of false documents. Under current Philippine law, the suspect must present the fraudulent document to a Philippine government authority in order for a crime to have been committed. At year’s end, a counterterrorism bill approved in April by the House of Representatives remained in the Senate.

The Philippines experienced 93 bombings, ranging from improvised explosive devices and grenades to landmines, including:

• In February, the bombing of a karaoke bar located near a Philippine military base in Jolo left one dead and 22 injured.
• In March, a bomb exploded at the Sulu Consumers Cooperative in Jolo killing nine people and injuring 20.
• In June, a roadside bombing in Shariff Aguak killed three people and injured eight.
• In August, two bombs exploded almost simultaneously in Kidapawan City injuring three people.
• In September, a bomb exploded at a public market in General Santos City killing two people and injuring six.
• In October, a bomb exploded near the headquarters of the Sulu Philippine National Police in Jolo injuring two persons.
• In a separate October attack, three bombs exploded in Tacurong, Sultan Kudurat; Makilala, North Cotabato; and Cotabato City killing eight people and injuring over 30.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) was empowered by the Philippines Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 (AMLA), as amended in 2003, to investigate and prosecute money laundering. The AMLC is the lead agency responsible for implementing the asset freeze measures called for by the UN Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee. Under current law, however, the AMLC cannot take direct action against suspected terrorists or those supporting terrorism, but must apply for a court order to inquire into bank accounts and direct the freezing of assets and transactions. The AMLC sometimes needed several months to issue the relevant resolution to the Court of Appeals after receiving information about a newly-listed terrorist entity and circulating it to the financial institutions. The AMLC has 91 cases pending in various stages with the courts, including 34 for money laundering, 24 for civil forfeiture, and the rest pertaining to freeze orders and bank inquiries. The slow judicial process hindered efforts by the AMLC to see these cases through to conclusion; a trial can take up to seven years to complete. In April, a bilateral U.S.-Philippines Security Engagement Board (SEB) was inaugurated to address non-traditional security issues, including counterterrorism and maritime security. The SEB set the stage for the “Kapid Bisig” (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) counterterrorism framework that focused on civil affairs, capability upgrades, and support for AFP operations. The United States assisted the Philippines in establishing an interagency intelligence fusion center in Zamboanga City to support both maritime interdictions against transnational criminal/terrorist organizations, and the “coast watch” system in Mindanao, established with Australian assistance. ” []

AFGHANISTAN & South Asia attacks up:

The report also found a 50 percent increase in terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, from 491 incidents in 2005 to 749 in 2006. To defeat the resurgent threat, the report urges the international community deliver promised assistance and continue working with Afghans to build counterinsurgency capabilities, ensure legitimate and effective governance and counter a surge in narcotics cultivation.

” NCTC reported that the majority of terrorist attacks remain centered in the Middle East and South Asia, but noted that overall attacks in South Asia declined by 10 percent. ” so says the State department press release.

Child victims of attacks increase 80% increase in casualties:

Children were increasingly the victims of terrorism in 2006, with 1,800 killed or injured in attacks, an 80 percent increase from the previous year. As in 2005, government officials, teachers and journalists remain the leading professionals targeted by terrorists, according to the report.

VENEZUELA: Hugo Chavez: possible state Sponsor?

The report also claims that Venezuela’s leader may be seen as major figure in state sponsored terrorism soon, ” President Hugo Chavez has strengthened ties with Cuba and Iran and has allowed terrorist groups and drug traffickers from neighboring Colombia to cross its borders. ” says US State Department in its press release.

However looking over the report at length it did cite the cooperation of Venezuelan police in protecting the US Embassy. ” An individual claiming to be a member of an Islamic extremist group in Venezuela placed two pipe bombs outside the American Embassy in Caracas on October 23.” But went on to say, ” Venezuelan police safely disposed of the two pipe bombs and immediately made one arrest.”

The report also cited that. “The investigation by Venezuelan authorities resulted in the additional arrest of the alleged ideological leader of the group. At year’s end, both suspects remained in jail and prosecutors were pressing terrorism charges against them.” yet in other areas of ideological conflict Venezuela still supports or so the US State Department report says - Narco Terrorism and leftist rebel groups who have engaged in terror attacks versus Americans and American companies.

[] “… President Hugo Chavez persisted in public criticism of U.S. counterterrorism efforts, deepened Venezuelan relationships with Iran and Cuba, and was unwilling to prevent Venezuelan territory from being used as a safe haven by the FARC and ELN, effectively flouting UN Security Council Resolutions 1373 and 1540, which form part of the legal basis of international counterterrorism efforts.

Chavez’ ideological sympathy for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) limited Venezuelan cooperation with Colombia in combating terrorism. FARC and ELN units often crossed into Venezuelan territory to rest and regroup with relative impunity. Splinter groups of the FARC and another designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, the United Self- Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), operated in various parts of Venezuela and were involved in narcotrafficking.

It remained unclear to what extent the Venezuelan government provided material support to Colombian terrorists. However, limited amounts of weapons and ammunition — some from official Venezuelan stocks and facilities — have turned up in the hands of Colombian terrorist organizations. The Venezuelan government did not systematically police the 1,400-mile Venezuelan-Colombian border to prevent the movement of groups of armed terrorists or to interdict arms or the flow of narcotics.”[]

The full text of Country Reports on Terrorism 2006 is available on the State Department Web site.

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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
target="_blank">

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

China, India, Korea, Australia, and, Japan:ASEAN summit stories missed

Although there is coverage on this topic in international media - the face to face meeting between governments and major geopolitical discussions are not that talked about like events including the major issues that affect global trade and security and the regional economy have limited value to local commercial TV networks which seem to be more interested in covering a few hundred protesters than discussions that do have major impact on lives of 2.5 billion people in the world.

The Meeting between China and Japan comes amidst some tension between Asia’s leading economies - the issue of North Koran nuclear weapons, the bilateral discussions on the development of a Japanese Ministry of Defense.

South Korea’s new found leadership in many areas of trade make a visit by its leaders major business and economy news. Australia’s Howard coming even in the face of terror threats saying - leaders must not give in to terror threats also is another story.

Items that do carry more than the usual importance - and - happening here. But to some in TV they prefer the report of the price of dried fish and mangoes being brought home as gifts. No information is given viewers on topics like there on Major network TV whose agenda seems only to highlight groups they themselves in the editorial departments of many news organizations are part and of - which is why they losing viewers.

For example: I just saw tonight on leading newscast. One of their best business news reporters seemed to be doing an early morning TV marketplace price report. And ignoring the news items like these in their newscast.

Chinese, Japanese leaders meet in summit in Philippines
International Herald Tribune, France - CEBU: China’s Premier Wen Jiabao and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met for talks as part of an Asian regional summit Sunday, …
10th China-ASEAN Summit opens in Cebu, Philippines People’s Daily Online
Chinese premier leaves for Philippines tour People’s Daily Online
Premier Wen arrives in Philippines for China-ASEAN summit Xinhua

Manmohan arrives in Philippines
Indian Muslims, CA - Cebu , Jan 13 (IANS) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here Saturday on a three-day visit to attend the India-ASEAN and East Asian …
Manmohan arrives in Philippines India eNews.com
PM arrives in Philippines, to push free trade pact Zee News
Indian PM departs for Philippines to attend ASEAN Summit Islamic Republic News Agency

ASEAN: Leaders Seek Stronger Union
Stratfor - During the first day of discussions at the summit meeting in the sea resort of Cebu in the Philippines, ASEAN leaders signed a counterterrorism agreement Summit of Southeast Asian Leaders Opens Voice of America
Poverty, regional security, & trade are top priorities BIMP-EAGA … Manila Bulletin
Blasts a message ahead of ASEAN meet: Police chief NDTV.com

Roh Proposes Kimpo-Shanghai Air Shuttle
Korea Times, South Korea - 2 hours ago
In a meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao in Cebu, the Philippines, on the sidelines of the ASEAN+3 summit, Roh also asked for Beijing’s support …
Roh leaves for Philippines to attend regional summit Yonhap News
South Korea, Indon leaders cut short trips to ASEAN Summit Asianjournal.com
President to Attend ASEAN+3 Summit Korea Times

Howard to meet ASEAN leaders in Philippines
The Age, Australia - 10 hours ago
Mr Howard today flies out to attend the East Asia Summit in the central Philippine city of Cebu. The meeting will include 10 ASEAN (Association of …
Howard in Philippines for East Asia summit Radio Australia
Howard to meet China’s Premier Wen The Age

Considering this network is supposedly headed by a pair of International news persons who claim to be working on improving the level of information and education to local viewers.

But little or no mention is made on this topic. At least NBN is trying its best with limited resources to bring in some context on issues and sideline meetings of the major players. Also well put together is Net 25’s coverage and that of even GKN TV seems to be working harder to make an effort to discuss topics and be more informative than another local cable news channel.

It is sad that considering so much happening not being reported in part because of personal bias and blind criticism causing them to lose sight of media primary role of information - rather - than allowing people to see major events happening in their own backyard.

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