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North Korean arms shipment to Iran seized by United Arab Emirates

8/29/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

In violation to the sanctions of the United Nations (UN,) North Korea was caught with shipments of arms to Iran. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) intercepted a ship with arms, firing devices, grenades and explosives coming from the reclusive communist country of North Korea. Carried by a ship under Bahamian registry, the cargo was concealed as shipment of oil equipment.

“The Security Council voted on June 12 to adopt a resolution that punishes North Korea for its recent nuclear-bomb test and missile launches through cargo inspections and enforcement of restrictions on financial transactions. The measure calls for the interdiction at seaports, airports or in international waters of any cargo suspected of containing arms or nuclear or missile-related materials going to or from North Korea.”---- Bloomberg.com (08/28/09, Varner, Bill)

The United Arab Emirates unloaded the contraband cargo from North Korea and informed UN of the arms seizure contained in 10 container vans. The world body demanded Iran and North Korea (part of the axis of evil,) for explanation.

Iran consistently denied that its uranium program is not for atomic bomb development, but intended for plants to generate electricity. North Korea conducted bomb tests and denoted missiles in violation of UN sanctions. These are serious provocations which test how UN can enforce its power over dangerous nations in curtailing nuclear proliferation. (Iranmadeit) =0=

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Labels: atomic bomb, cargo, contraband, illegal, Iran, North Korea, United Arab Emirates, United Nations

RP ranks 5th in shabu production and seizure

6/27/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Methamphetamine, an illicit drug called shabu has for decades been produced in the Philippines. It is used locally or traded under the radar screen of law enforcers in neighboring countries in Asia and the Western World. Our country follows China, Thailand, USA, and Taiwan as the leading sources of methamphetamines between 1988 to 2007.

Fifth (5th) among the top sources of seized shabu in the past decade (ending 2007,) Philippines busts about 10 illegal laboratories that produce the narcotics. In spite of step-up fight, nacrcotics labs number about 700 facilities---up from only 46 a decade ago in the Americas.

In the order of decreasing popularity, the top three most popular drugs used in the Phiippine islands are shabu, marijuana, and ecstasy.

The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) identified that the route of distribution of shabu from the Philippines extend to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. (Photo Credit: ChristianActionLeague) =0=

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Labels: Asia, drug abuse. marijuana, drugs, ecstasy, illegal, methamphetamine, narcotics, narcotraffic, shabu, Totie Mesia

“Jueteng” thrives well in Camarines Sur

6/04/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

In an amazing revelation, an informer disguised as "Rod" revealed that at least P3.8 million is collected daily from “jueteng, ” the illegal gambling which operates in at least 31 towns in Camarines Sur. Jueteng sucks in poor man’s money from bettors who expect to win in the outlawed numbers game.

Protected by politicians and police officers in the area for at least 3 years now, Rod who is ready to be a whistleblower, claimed P1 million comes from the first district, P1 million from the second district, P700,000 from the third district, and P960,000 from the fourth district. The amounts included daily collections from the cities of Naga (second district) and Iriga (fourth district), he added. At least P280,000 is being collected daily from the capital town of Pili (second district) These amounts, Rod claimed, would be used to finance the upcoming 2010 presidential election. ----PDI (06/04/09, Soltes JC, Davila, JR; Cardinoza, G)

If true, this gambling operation is consistent to the endemic graft and corruption that goes from the provinces reaching up to the national level. Local and international groups have been pointing the unlawful practice to the government which stifles the progress of the country. Yet, in spite of many complaints, nothing tangible has been done to wipe out the corruptive gambling practice. (Photo Credit: Our simple journey in life) =0=

RELATED BLOG: Fighting corruption with "Moral Force Movement" Posted by mesiamd at 4/08/2009

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Labels: Caceres, Camarines Sur, Corruption, Corruption in Government, gambling, graft and corruption, illegal, Iriga, jueteng, Naga, Naga City, politics, Totie Mesia

Mexican narcotics gangland: 5,376 murders in 2008

12/09/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

If terrorism which alarms the Indians in Mumbai and Pakistanis in Islamabad, half around the world, the Mexicans are worried about the escalation of narcotics-related deaths. Organized slaying south of the border of the United States has doubled since the start of the year. Illegal drug dealers have been fighting for narcotics dominance in their location.

“Mexican law enforcement has also been hit by the biggest corruption scandal in a decade in recent months, as more than a dozen high-ranking officials in police and prosecutors' offices have been detained or charged for allegedly passing information to the cartels.”---AP (12/08/08, Castillo, Ed)

Compared to the 2,477 slayings of last year, the number of drug related deaths in 2008 rose to 117 percent, a total of 5,376 murders. The number is more than 1.5x than the casualty of the terror of 911. The brutal killings in Mexico were results of long-standing quarrels involving trade routes, street sales, and leadership in the narcotics cartel.

The wave of beheadings, mutilations, and shootings prompted the US government to release $197 million, part of the $400 million assistance to support Mexico's police and soldiers in a cooperative campaign against narco-terrorism.

According to reports, the rise in murders coincides with the split of the Beltran-Leyva gang this year from the dominant cartel headed by Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman igniting fightings between competing factions. Moreover, the weakening of the US economy has left many jobless Mexicans lured to the drug business.

A sharp decline in border crossings from Mexico is noted as few jobs for laborers, mainly in agriculture and service jobs, are available. Rising unemployment fuels the illegal drug trade and crime.(Photo Credit: 3.bp.blogspot.com)=0=

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Labels: Corruption, dead, death, drug war, drugs, illegal, Mexico, murder, narcotics, narcotraffic, terrorism, Totie Mesia, USA

Terrorism, economic meltdown and other problems facing Americans and the world

9/24/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

There is a lulling effect of media's downplay of other important problems affecting Americans. As an example, in a Gallup poll taken in March 2008, only 2% worry about terrorism---as though it's a problem of the past.

This is partly an effect of liberal media's dismissal that those who are bothered by terrorism are essentially "war mongerers" and "alarmists." Many media people are averse to paying the high cost of security to a point of misleading the public. They ignore that enemies determined to harm us take their time and they wait. There are those who believe diplomacy is often effective and terrorists and Al Qaeda can be appeased in the name of friendship.

The hard reality is terrorism only needs one occasion to succeed. And terrorists are determined and clever. They pulled through in 911 at the World Trade Center (WTC) and in the cowardly killings in Spain, Bali, Kenya, Pakistan, UK, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Philippines, and in other parts of the world. Being friendly with terrorists is therefore a risky business.

The problem issues that citizens (with changing and short attention spans) have grown. But would you believe, only 2% of Americans as of March 2008 Gallup Poll thinks terrorism is a problem?

The new economic woes in Wall Street divert the nation's attention away from other equally significant problems. The world reacts the same way---finger-pointing on who is to blame after foolishly ignoring the danger signs of the economic meltdown before they blew in the people's faces.

Reckless buying of houses that they couldn't afford wasn't a problem until the mortgage crisis took its toll. Many who were stuck to what they erroneously believed were gripped with panic. Denial, complacency and short memory proved to be dangerous to the security of these individuals, the nation, and the world.

The Most Important Problem(s) Facing America, March 2008

Economic Problems.........................35%
Iraq War..........................................21%
Health Care & Costs........................8%
Fuel, Gas Costs...............................8%
Immigration & Illegal Aliens...............6%
Jobs & Unemployment.......................5%
Gov't Corruption & Incompetence.....5%
Moral Decline....................................4%
Education..........................................4%
Inflation & Cost of Living....................4%
Poverty & Hunger...............................3%
National Security................................2%
Terrorism...........................................2%

Source: Gallup Poll, March 2008/Fleeced (Morris, D; McGann E; Harper Collins Publishers, New York, 2008, pp. 46-47.) Photo Credit: Mario Zuccal. =0=

Labels: 911, Corruption, economy, Education, gasoline price, illegal, immigration, inflation, jobs, media, oil, politics, poverty, terrorism, USA

Toxic Cargo

6/28/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

After Sulpicio Lines blamed God for the sinking of the passenger ship "Princess for the Stars," an illegal cargo of 10 metric tons of endosulfan, a highly hazardous neurotoxic organochlorine insecticide was found in the shipwreck, prompting divers to stop their mission of retrieving bodies from the ship’s hull.

According to Philstar (06/28/08, Berondo, W. et. Al)

“ They (Sulpicio Lines) only told Del Monte on Wednesday, in writing, that the cargo had been switched to the passenger ship. That was five days after the ferry sank. This type of chemical is not allowed on board passenger ships. ” Norlito Vicana, the director of the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority told ABS-CBN.

Del Monte said Sulpicio Lines loaded the endosulfan on the Princess of the Stars instead of the Princess of the Paradise “ without the knowledge and consent of Del Monte Philippines, Inc. (DMPI.)”

“ Upon learning that our cargo was loaded on the ill-fated Princess of the Stars, we immediately informed the FPA, ” a DMPI statement read.

With a clamor to ban the dangerous chemical worldwide, the use of endosulfan (thiodan) is prohibited in the European Union (EU) and other countries; its use in the Philippines is restricted. The United States still uses the pesticide which was first registered in 1954 for agricultural use, mainly to control insects and pests on fruits and vegetables.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) did not have knowledge of the toxic cargo placed inside a container van until it learned from DMPI, the insecticide consignee. Although no evidence of leakage has been detected, some divers had their blood checked for exposure in a laboratory in Singapore.

When ingested, inhaled or absorbed in the skin in significant amounts, acute endosulfan poisoning causes hyperactivity, nausea, dizziness, headache, tremors, seizures or even death. Chronic exposure can affect endocrine function as reproductive maturation delay and it can bring damage to the kidneys, testes and the liver. There is no antidote for endosulfan poisoning, and treatment is basically supportive (i.e. anticonvulsants for seizures.)=0=

Labels: cargo, endosulfan, illegal, Philippines, ship capsizes, Sulpicio Lines, toxic chemicals

New Immigration Laws Worry Illegal Aliens In Europe

6/22/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

After some delay because of differing positions among the 27-member countries, the European Union (EU) has finally set up stricter immigration laws which guide the handling and expulsion of apprehended illegal aliens. This is part of an effort to come up with a uniform European immigration and asylum policy by 2010.

With rising tide of resentments over lack of jobs, crowding, surging crime, and slowing of the economy, EU parliament on June 19, 2008 overwhelmingly passed the tough controversial measure. Here it is at a glance:

European Union Rules on Illegal Aliens (2008)
-Option to leave voluntarily within 30 days of apprehension
-Illegal aliens confined in special detention cells, not jails.
-Provide for basic human rights and access to legal help
-Maximum detention of 18 months (1.5 years)
-Reentry ban for those forcibly expelled
-2 years for governments to implement
-Workplace raids vs. illegal aliens not permitted

The new measure had been criticized by Amnesty International (AI) and other human rights groups asserting that the rules do not guarantee the return and dignity of the migrants. (USA Today, /AP (06/21/08)

Migrante-Europe’s chairman of the board, Rev. Jaime Taguba opined, “"We believe that enforcing these rules on undocumented migrants is counterproductive and would only exacerbate the crises in the EU and the countries of origin of these undocumented migrants because these rules go against social justice and progress, and are inhumane." Taguba asked the EU to "adhere to conventions, treaties, and agreements, institute measures to de-criminalize the undocumented and take measures to remove the basis of 'illegality' by, among others, adopting regularization programs." Inquirer (06/21/08, Uy,V.)

European Union (2006):
-8 million illegal aliens
-1 million apprehended
-500,000 caught inside EU
-200,000 deported mostly from Spain, Italy, Greece

Philippines:
-124,000 undocumented Filipinos in EU
-40,000 in France, 20,000 in Italy

USA:
-11 million illegal aliens, mostly from Mexico
-273,000 deported in 2007
-Workplace raids permitted

The controversy behind illegal immigration opens anew fresh wounds on countries like the Philippines which depend on overseas workers’ foreign money remittances to boost its local economy. In the short term, Filipinos hail jobs abroad as boon to survival, but as employment abroad grow scarcer, workers are displaced, exploited, and fall prey into a life of illegality. Separated from their families for years, they go through untold suffering and pain. There is little the government can do.

As Rev. Taguba pointed out, the long term solution to forced migration is to "fundamentally address the structural problems of economic backwardness, political dependence and neo-colonial enslavement of the home countries of these undocumented migrants."

It is clear the Philippines need to make local employment more available so its citizens can resist the lure of going abroad to find jobs. The government must work doubly hard to convince its citizens that there is a future in the country---They can work and build meaningful productive lives while waiting for a chance to immigrate legally abroad. =0=

Labels: europe, illegal, immigration, laws, Philippines, Totie Mesia, USA

UP Ibalon Bicol

North Korean arms shipment to Iran seized by United Arab Emirates

RP ranks 5th in shabu production and seizure

“Jueteng” thrives well in Camarines Sur

Mexican narcotics gangland: 5,376 murders in 2008

Terrorism, economic meltdown and other problems facing Americans and the world

Toxic Cargo

New Immigration Laws Worry Illegal Aliens In Europe

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