Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Iran conducts military exercises
The Iranian military will conduct war exercises in the coming days aimed to strengthen the country’s defenses. For five days, practice and war games will be done across its territory to boost Iran’s readiness against real attack.
According to Brigadier-General Ahmed Mighani, a commander of an Iraninan air defense base described the military maneuver to use new weapons and test communication capabilities in an area of 600,000 square kilometers.
In response to Iran’s rejection of the United Nation’s draft deal crafted to bring 80% of Urab's lightly enriched uranium abroad, leaders of United States, Russia, China, Germany, Britain, and France were mulling on more sanctions. The draft deal was supposed to halt Teheran's program of nuclear armaments. The U.N. atomic energy agency (IAEA) chief Mohamed ElBaradei, asked the cleric-dominated Islamic country to accept the draft deal which he referred to as a “fleeting opportunity.”
Brandishing its military might while engaging in forked diplomacy, Iran still insists that its nuclear program is entirely for peaceful purposes--- meant mainly to produce electricity. Western nations are convinced this is not true.
Iran continues its nuclear buildup and hateful war provocations against Israel. The dictatorial Muslim nation warns that it is prepared to attack Israel and the US in defense. As the solution of the nuclear question stalls, the Iranians are coming close to producing its radioactive bomb, making the world more unstable and dangerous. (Photo Credit: Erick Lafforgue) =0=
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Gov. Paterson against 911 trial in NYC
New York Governor David Paterson who usually supported Pres. Barack Obama on many issues criticized the president for agreeing to hold the trial of the 911 mastermind and 4 other suspects in the courthouse of New York City (NYC.) The democrat governor joined ex-Mayor Rudolf Guiliani and many other New Yorkers in condemning the civilian trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed who was accused of orchestrating the killing of almost 3,000 innocent civilians and destruction of the World Trade Center. They wanted the Muslim militant and four other co-conspirators--- Waleed bin Attash, Ramzi Binalshibh, Mustafa Ahmad al-Hawsawi and Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali 2001 to be tried in the military court.
"Our country was attacked on its own soil on September 11, 2001 and New York was very much the epicenter of that attack. Over 2,700 lives were lost," he said. "It's very painful. We're still having trouble getting over it. We still have been unable to rebuild that site and having those terrorists so close to the attack is gonna be an encumbrance on all New Yorkers." ---wcbstv.com (11/16/09)
But Attorney General Eric Holder wanted to have the suspects in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to stand trial in New York because of certain undisclosed evidence. Since the alleged crimes happened in the United States, Holder, like his supporters, wanted to showcase the workings of America’s “superior” justice system to the world. But even the families of the victims are not pleased with the idea.
Among many objections, critics argued that bringing the terrorists in the Big Apple opens old wounds of the horror of 911. Why not in other venue? War criminals must be tried by military tribunals, not in civilian courts. New York City is likely to spend huge money to put them to trial --- a “circus” the accused terrorists desire. The 911 attack is an act of war against humanity and any concessions given to barbarism will put to waste the effort to arrest and put terrorists to trial.
With the media coverage, the trial will redirect NYC as a terrorist target and distract the public on the controversies of water-boarding and techniques of interrogation which have been useful in protecting the United States. Critics of the Obama administration believe there is a hidden agenda to investigate the Bush Administration’s policies on its war on terror. (Photo Credit: Long Island Business News) =0=
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Eight soldiers killed in a bloody skirmish with NPA in Surigao
The encounter between the military and New People’s Army (NPA) which caused the death of 12 people including 8 military soldiers, among them a police officer, occurred without much public notice. Another 12 soldiers were injured in a remote mountainous community in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur. The fighting with the communist militants was eclipsed by the visit of US Sec. of State Hillary Clinton in Manila who pledged support for the country's anti-insurgency campaign.
“Eight soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion, a police officer from the 1405th Provincial Police Mobile Group, a member of the Special Cafgu Active Auxiliary (SCAA), and two security personnel from logging firm, Surigao Development Corp (SUDECOR), died when they clashed with alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Pakwan village on Wednesday.” ---GMAnews.TV (11/13/09)
The senseless deaths and injuries of the brave men didn't have news coverage as much as Clinton’s visit and the release of Columban missionary Michael Sinnott---- kidnapped last month in Pagadian City in Southern Philippines. The soldiers died from gunshot wounds and from injuries inflicted by landmines and bombs exploded by the communist rebels.
On a military mission, the army soldiers were ambushed by about 100 NPA rebels. The deaths and injuries which followed were barely noticed by the public. Obviously, the bloody encounter indicates the fragility of peace in Mindanao. More has to be done for peace. The casualties suffered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) indicate the cost of keeping freedom and tranquility in the islands.(Photo Credit: abs-cbnnews.com x 2) =0=
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America as a war zone: terrorism in Fort Hood bloodbath?
The gunman-killer Major Nidal Malik Hasan is now recovering in a hospital talking to his lawyer after the massacre he pulled in Fort Hood Base, a huge military base serving more than 50,000 soldiers in Texas. His shooting rampage raises questions on the motive of the killer who in the fit of hate and anger killed 13 and wounded 30 of his army comrades.
Subsequent information tended to make more people to believe Hasan’s attack was more than an isolated criminal act, but an act of terrorism. Yet, only a thorough and unbiased investigation could substantiate the truth.
There had been observations which could be regarded as warning signs---a prelude to the despicable massacre ironically committed by a member of the healing profession. In hindsight, if something was done differently, the 13 people who were killed could have been saved.
Here below are parts of the jigsaw puzzle:
*Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Army investigated the communications between a Yemen-based militant Muslim prayer leader and the army major, but they thought Hasan was not a significant terrorist threat. The violent psychiatrist tried to contact the Al Qaeda and contacted the militant imam with links to some hijackers of 911.
*The gumman was openly opposed to sending Muslims to fight the war on terror. In the Islamic Community of Greater Killeen, the mosque where he worshipped, he expressed his view that Muslim must not serve the US military.
*Hasan, an unmarried 39-year old was not happy about his forthcoming deployment to Afghanistan this November. He could have been under extreme stress.
*Investigators are reviewing emails of Hasan with radical spiritual leader Anwar Al Awlaki, a US citizen believed to be in Yemen. The Islamic preacher supports the Jihad war against USA. He had links with at least two of the Twin Tower suicide bombers.
*Witnesses like Pvt. Robert Foster who was injured in the attack heard Hasan shouted "Allahu Akbar" --"God is great" –- an Islamic terrorist’ battle cry during shootings and suicide bombings.
*Hasan, on a presentation on a medical topic during his final year during residency at Walter Reed Medical Center lectured his audience on Islam, homicide bombing, and threats military personnel faces with people of Islamic faith--- especially those who are averse to fighting against other Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan. His audience thought it was upsetting and strange that Hasan gave such lecture instead of a relevant topic in psychiatry.
* A classmate of Hasan said prior to the killing, the doctor had been mouthing justifications of homicide bombings, hostility against Americans as he tried to get contact with Al Qaeda. With these overt warnings, no one worked to kick him out the military service. Though Hasan was being watched, no significant action was pursued to prevent the shooting rampage.
*In the weekend, Sen. Joe Lieberman suggested that a congressional investigation is needed to ferret out the truth if the shooting is really terrorism committed right at the US military base and against American servicemen.”
Given the above, one strongly suspects terrorism. Whether the army psychiatrist who is now being treated in Brookr Medical Center in San Antonio acted alone or in cahoots with other Islamic militants and Al Qaeda, more details of the probe has to be analyzed. The incident however speaks of the real threat and vulnerability of Americans to the ferocity of Islamic radicals. They have no qualms of killing innocent people in the name of religion at the heartland of USA. (Telegraph.col.uk; NYT/ Spillers, L; AP/ Kileen Daily Herald/ Morris, D.) =0=
RELATED BLOGS: "Fort Hood Muslim Army MD being investigated as a terrorist" Posted by mesiamd at 11/09/2009; "Army major massacres 11 and injures 31 people in Fort Hood, Texas" Posted by mesiamd at 11/06/2009
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Fort Hood Muslim Army MD being investigated as a terrorist
Major Nidal Malik Hasan recuperates from the gunshot wounds inflicted to stop him form his shooting rampage at Fort Hood Military Base. The medical army officer is being investigated for terrorism. Operatives are trying to know if he has deep ties with radical groups espousing violence and mayhem in the Western world.
The 39–year old unmarried gunman took the lives of 13 fellow soldiers and injured 30 innocent victims. Relatives and friends pointed to Hasan as a benign peaceful man with no criminal records. But others saw him as a troubled medical professional with religious fanatical views who was upset of being deployed to Afghanistan. The vicious killer shouted “Allahu Akhbar” (God is Great,) a signature battlecry of militant Muslim suicide bombers.
Later inquiries suggested that Hasan was a devout Muslim who talked stridently against the war. He believed Muslims are justified to rise against aggressors like the Americans. Born and raised in Virginia, he went to in Dar-al-Hijrah mosque in Virginia, a worship house led by a radical Muslim preacher said to be a "spiritual adviser" to three of the hijackers who attacked the United States on Sept 11, 2001. Hasan has great respect for Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-born Yemeni imam accused of supporting terrorist organisations including Al-Qaeda.
These emerging clues raised the need to dig deeper into Hasan’s background. Exercising political correctness, civilian and military authorities seemed slow and hesitant to explore the terrorist angle, but this needed to change quick to protect America.
Endorsing a thorough investigation, Sen. Joe Lieberman talked of his suspicions that a terrorist link is possible given Hasan’s story. The Obama administration had been criticized for not giving enough focus on the tragedy that befell men and women in the service of the country.
For fear of a backlash among the radical Islamists, authorities preferred to think the attack was a criminal event rather than an attack of a terrorist. Those in denial had the tendency to push key questions under the rug. Part of a feeling of dread and tendency to accommodate, they were dismissive of violent people in the ranks of Muslims. They seemed unprepared to accept the truth that terrorists had entered in US soil. (Photo Credit: Telegraph.co.uk) =0=
RELATED BLOG: "Army major massacres 11 and injures 31 people in Fort Hood, Texas" Posted by mesiamd at 11/06/2009
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Army major massacres 11 and injures 31 people in Fort Hood, Texas
Fort Hood Texas Military Base was the site of gruesome shootings which killed 11 and injured 31 people today, Thursday, November 5, 2009. The suspected gunman was identified as Major Malik Nidal Hasan, an Army mental healthcare professional---a psychiatrist in the medical corps who was about to be assigned to Iraq on November 28. Those who knew him said, the killer was reportedly mad over his impending deployment abroad.
The gunman, a 39 year-old Muslim by religious faith, went on a horrible shooting rampage in the Soldier Readiness Center, a facility inside the base where soldiers coming home from assignment and those who are about to be deployed are medically checked. For reasons that aren't clear at this time, he killed 11 people on the scene before he was shot.
Half of the wounded required surgical treatment. Earlier report said Hasan was dead, but later information proved he had been confined in a hospital for his injuries like his victims. Two soldiers who were arrested in relation with the attack were subsequently released.
One of the largest military facilities in the world, Fort Hood Base was put on a lock-down along with nearby schools in the area. As investigation proceeded, the incident appeared to be a random crime, rather than an act of terrorism.---angles of the crime that are being looked into. (Photo Credits; MSNBC) =0=
UPDATE: the number of dead in this shooting has risen to 13.
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Russian military cargo plane crashes in Siberia
A huge Russian military cargo plane capable of carrying 40 tons of baggage crashed as it commenced flight in Easter Siberia claiming the lives of 11 people. The four-engine Ilyushin IL-76 plane bound for Irkutsk in Siberia reached an altitude of 20 meters when it burst into flames. Source: VOA (11/01/09)
Tass News Agency said the weather was clear during the aircraft’s take off and no injuries were reported on the ground. The flight recorders needed to clarify the cause of the mishap have been recovered. (Photo Credit: Koppel) =0=
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Picture worth a thousand words
A situation that opens a coversation within the soul. An experience that may well influence our lives and define our unguarded moments. From a friend, an interesting photo sent in the email that's worth a pause and a thousand words. =0=
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Suicide bomber kills 16 military recruits in Swat Valley
A suicide bomber who trespassed a training compound for military recruits blew himself, killing 16 would-be police officers in Swat region of Pakistan. The bloody attack which wounded an undetermined number of trainees came three days after 27 security men died in another attack in the country’s Khyber region.
The violence in unstable Mingora, Swat’s major village may be an attempt of Taliban militants to reclaim the area they control after their stronghold of three years was disrupted by military forces early in May 2009.
It was estimated 1,800 Islamic rebels and suicide bombers died during the offensive. A million civilians escaped the area, but returned when some measure of stability was achieved by the anti-Taliban forces.
Prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani condemned the attack, vowing to continue the fight against the Taliban insurgents who caused the senseless deaths of about 3,000 people in the last two years. (Photo Credit: Nizam Khan) =0=
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GMA orders to "annihilate" the Abu Sayyaf rebels; Erap vowed to "pulverize" them
It’s like the grand order of then Pres. Erap Estrada who vowed to “pulverize” the Islamic militants of Mindanao during his tenure. The ambitious "pulverization" till now is still a pipe dream. The dangerous Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Abu Sayyaf are strong as ever. They still freely operate with such impunity in Mindanao.
After the bloodbath in Basilan this week, Arroyo did her own saber-rattling----ostensibly vowing to annihilate the Moslem bandits responsible for the recent blatant killings. Faced with a humiliating casualties, she had to deal with the skirmish which left 50 people dead, 23 of whom are miltary men, including two army officers.
Abu Sayyaf, in cahoots with some MILF elements are reesponsible. These militants have been done hostage-taking and murders in the past under the noses of government forces. Arroyo and her military men therefore have strong reasons to raise their battle warnngs and execute them.
"The war against terror must be pursued. The annihilation of the Abu Sayyaf must be done,” Mrs. Arroyo told a command conference of security officials led by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Victor Ibrado at the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) headquarters here."---Philstar (08/16/09)
Pres. Arroyo assuages the public’s grief for the 23 military men who died. Attempting to shore-up the morale of the soldiers and their bereaved relatives, her order of “rapid annihilation” seems hard to realize.
Poverty fuels the discontent of the people in Southern Philippines. The bandits have support from the community where they operate, posing a big obstacle in defeating the terrorists. The Islamic rebels reflect the futility of force which makes violence a losing instrument of peace. (Photo Credit: Alvin Chan) =0=
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Government calls for MILF ceasefire before GMA’s SONA
In a waxing and waning way of handling the Mindanao separatist movement, the Philippine government again suspended its military offensive against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF,) about 5 days before Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo delivers her state of the nation address (SONA) on July 27, 2009.
Spokesmen from the administration are ecstatic over the ceasefire which they believe will allow about 300,000 civilians to return home to their farms.
But the heavily unpopular president with a poor approval rating was quickly criticized for using the ceasefire to prop up her image---- that her handling of the decades-old Mindanao rebellion had significant gains and in the right direction.
To air their grievances, a 15,000-strong protest-rally are being readied by oppositionists from Manila and other provinces to complain against President Arroyo's final State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“It’s all media-hype. I’m sure her decision will not change the situation in Mindanao. Undoubtedly, she is creating a situation that is favorable to her SONA," Political analyst Ramon Casiple, executive director of the non-government Institute for Political and Electoral Reform. GMANews.TV (07/23/09)
Many observers in the protracted peace process are cynical about the outcome of the conflict. The question of sincerity hangs. They see the same pattern of political maneuvers and hollow claims of peace gains that aren’t far from why the Israel-Palestinian problem has not been resolved for many decades. (Photo Credit: Manolet Santiago/ Malaya) =0=
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5 killed in Cotabato blast
Part of the bombings that caused renewed fear in various parts of Southern Philippines is the explosion which occurred on Sunday, July 5, 2009 rocking the nearby Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Cotabato, Mindanao.
A bomb detonated in a store close to the church claimed the life of 5 people and wounding about 45. The explosion which prompted people to flee inside the church coincided the morning mass that was being celebrated by Archbishop Orlando Quevedo.
“The bombing occurred 14 hours after an explosion rocked Barangay Poblacion in Datu Piang town in Maguindanao province, wounding three civilians.” Inquirer (07/06/09, 2009, Uy, J.)
No one accepted any responsibility for the blasts that Vatican's pontiff Pope Benedict XVI condemned. The holy father said nothing good could be achieved by hate and acts of violence. Col. Jonathan Ponce, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division of the military suspected the spate of treaths and bombing are workings of the militant elements of the MILF. (Photo Credit: Carlie Saceda) =0=
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Iraqi troops take over US military servicemen in major cities
After the successful surge spearheaded by Pres. George Bush, the time is now to pull out the US military servicemen who serve in major cities---This has stabilized a dangerous country before it is turned over to the Iraqi people.
It’s a kind of victory for peace that this is happening, but it will take time to know if the Iraqi military will be able to maintain the advance of peace and order in the area. This is a time to recall the great men and women of the US armed forces who put their lives in line to help a troubled country.
As thousands of Iraqi troops and police take over check-points, the barbaric elements of society raised their challenge to the Iraqi government by exploding bombs and killing people.
“A car bombing devastated a food market in the city of Kirkuk, killing at least 33 people and wounding 90. The early evening attack, which bore the hallmarks of Sunni extremist groups like al-Qaida in Iraq, was the second in the Kirkuk area since a truck bombing killed 82 people on June 20.”-----AP/ Yahoo News (06/30/09, Gamel, K; Barzanji, Y.; Gearan, A.)
Because militants still operate Iraq, it is hard to say what will be the outcome of the take over. The Iraqis are optimistic that the future is in the hands of their people. The world shares the people’s optimism that a regime of peace and democracy will usher in growth and prosperity for the country. If they slid back to the path of violence, a fresh round of social upheaval will waste the effort of those who make peace possible. (Photo Credit: Mccalibur) =0=
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Barbara Boxer’s narcissistic request from a military general---“ Please, call me senator!”
I only knew of US Sen. Barbara Boxer (Democrat-CA) when she complained to General Michael Walsh of the US Army Corps of Engineers to stop addressing her as “ma’am.” She demanded to be called “senator.” According to her "she worked so hard for earn that title." Hmmm.
In the military lingo, "ma'am," and "sir" had been time-tested addresses that express respect. Gen. Walsh replied “ma’am” to one of Boxer's questions during a hearing in Capitol Hill on Tuesday, June 16, 2009. The general didn’t mean any insult, disrespect or usurpaton of rank, but Boxer wasn't happy:
"You know, do me a favor," Boxer told the general.
"Could you say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am?'"
"Yes, ma'am," Gen. Walsh answered.
“It's just a thing, I worked so hard to get that title, so I'd appreciate it, yes, thank you," she said.
"Yes, senator," he responded.
Sen. Boxer’s words were not totally unexpected. It seemed few people were aware of what she represented as a person and as a politician. Perhaps on the verge of melancholia or for lack of esteem, she might have inwardly fallen to crave for self-importance. She is the chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Not so many remember the California senator who voted against a resolution condemning MoveOn.org, a political group questioning Gen. David Petraeus patriotism--- negating his admirable military leadership in the stabilizing Iraq.
For sure, our military servicemen like Generals Petraeus and Walsh deserve respect. They must not be subjected to the arrogant narcissistic condescension of elected officials like Boxer. The woman seems too touchy to be out of climacterium. She can have problems that the public doesn't know.
Government officials must serve the people to the best of their ability. Never should they act like dysmature prima donnas who remind us of foul eggs in public service that bring bad example to our nation. (Photo Credit: http://boxer.senate.gov/) =0=
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8 killed in fresh fighting with Abu Sayyaf
At least 6 Abu Sayyaf rebels and two military troops died in a recent clash between the Islamic militants and government forces last Thurday, June 11, 2009 in Indanan, Jolo, Sulu. Four other soldiers were reportedly wounded during the encounter.
About 100 terrorists led by Abu Sayyaf Albader Parad clashed with the military in a planned combat operation which sought to rescue Italian Eugenio Vagni, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) humanitarian worker still being held hostage since January 15, 2009.
According to Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo, the soldiers who suffered injuries and died were hit by sharpnels from booby traps set up by the militant bandits. (Photo Credit: Charlie Saceda) =0=
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Militants bombed luxury hotel in Peshawar, Pakistan
The bombing that killed about 50 people last year in Marriott Hotel in Islamabad was reminiscent of the recent carnage in Pearl Continental Hotel a plush and popular hotel, the hang-out of foreigners and well-to-do Pakistanis.
Using a truck carrying deadly explosives, the suicide bombers brought down portion of the luxury hotel into rubble and caused a huge crater on the parking lot. The destruction claimed the lives of at least 11 people, injuring about 70 others, at least 9 individuals in critical condition. Several foreigners were among the dead and wounded.
“The violence was the latest in a string of powerful bomb attacks and ambushes in Pakistan's major cities while the country continues to wage an offensive against Taliban militants in the Swat Valley and surrounding regions. Pakistani authorities have characterized the attacks as retaliation by the Taliban for major gains made by Pakistani troops against militants since the military operation began in late April.” The Chicago Tribune/ LA Times (06/09/09 Zulfiqar Ali, Alex Rodriguez)
“U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the "heinous terrorist attack" in "the strongest possible terms," U.N. deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe said at U.N. headquarters in New York.”-----The Huffington Post / AP (06/09/09 Khan, Riaz)
The gunmen with their explosives barged into security at about 10 PM on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 as nightlife started in Peshawar, Pakistan’s largest Northeast city with a population of 2.2 million. The chaos that followed brought extensive loss of property, injuries, and senseless deaths.
The attack by terrorists was linked to the threats made public by the Al Qaeda-linked Taliban fighters who sought revenge against the bloody campaign they face against Pakistani security forces in Swat valley, a location close to the cities of Peshawar and Islamabad.
For the past weeks, about 15,000 Pakistani troops battled 7,000 Taliban Islamic militants prompting thousands of civilians to flee as the number of the dead mounted. A militia composed of civilians had been formed to kick out the Talibans in the area. (Photo credits: AFP Graphics; Reuters/ Ali Imam) =0=
Perseveranda So, a Filipina among the casualties in the Peshawar bombing
The 52-year-old Filipina Unicef worker devoted to education was unlucky to have been killed during the explosion that damaged the Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar, Pakistan.
Before her death, So, a dedicated Unicef Chief of Education helped in large measure the schooling of Filipinos through a program called Child Friendly School System. Her demise was announced by authorities of Unicef where she worked since 1994. =0=
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Archbishop backs Gadian’s expose of the misuse of RP-US Balikatan funds
In a pattern that is often seen when a whistle-blower speaks against corruption, the table is immediately turned against the squealer. Lt. Senior Grade Nancy Gadian of the Philippine Navy who exposes the P46 million misuse of the 2007 RP-Balikatan fund given by the United States is now sought for desertion, ordered arrested, also accused of fund misuse.
Gadian points on retired Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo, a high ranking former officer in the Western Mindanao Commant (Westmincom) Armed Forces as one among several military officials who were behind the money anomaly.
Nothing yet can be concluded in this corruption charge this early. But Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, a former military ordinariate of the Philiippines expressed his support for Lt. Gadian.
“Actually, these reports are not something new. During my time as military bishop, I heard of similar cases. But this is the first time I heard of Balikatan (exercise) being tainted by corruption. But even without the Balikatan (story of corruption), there are other news stories about corruption (in the military) so what more can you expect. In the first place we bishops are not in favor of that Balikatan,” ----said Archbishop Ramon Arguelles. Daily Tribune (05/14/09 Santos, PC; Mallari, MJ)
The charges of Gadian are serious, but many Filipinos who know of cases like this in the past doubt if a fair outcome will come out of this investigation. Similar embarrassing allegations like the World Bank's disclosure of contract rigging in road projects which the foreign bank supports are basically waylaid under the rug. (Photo Credit: Charlie Saceda)=0=
RELATED BLOG: "Senate wants to probe the misuse of P46 million in the 2007 RP-US Balikatan exercises" Posted by mesiamd at 5/14/2009
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50 civilians die as artillery fire hits hospital in Sri Lanka
A makeshift hospital was hit anew by artillery fire in the war zone where Tamil separatist rebels fight with Sri Lankan military forces. The protracted war of more than two decades brings daily casualties as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) hold on to their small strip of territory at the coast of Northeast Sri Lanka.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports having a worker died during the mortar attack, but the organization isn’t clear on who is responsible for the death. Many civilians are afraid to go back to the hospital because it isn’t spared from mortar attacks and shellings. Foreign aid workers are encountering difficulties reaching people needing health aid and food supplies.
“ICRC spokesperson Sarasi Wijeratna in Colombo tells VOA News small fishing boats are the only way to offload the 25 metric tons of food and bring the wounded and sick on board to its chartered ship (the Green Ocean).” ---VOA News.com (05/13/09, Herman, S)
The United Nations agencies which give aid in the area of conflict said they have little access to an estimated 50,000 civilians who are trapped in the crossfire. A number of nations are asking both the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government to put an end to the fighting. (Photo Credit:AFP Graphic; AFP/ HO/ Tamil/ File) =0=
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Senate wants to probe the misuse of P46 million in the 2007 RP-US Balikatan exercises
Consistent to the corruption that RP is known for, another round of investigation is in the horizon This time it’s the Department of National Defense (DND,) Armed Forces of the Philippines (AF) being probed by the Philippine senate for misuse of about P46 million, an amount given the United States in 2007 in the RP-US Balikatan exercises.
The whistle-blower is Lt. Senior Grade Nancy Gadian who alleges that retired Gen. Eugenio Cedo misused money--- of the P46 million, only P2.7 million went the to the Balikatan CMO projects. Gadian who served as head of the Western Mindanao Command Civil Military Operations based in Zamboanga City is also accused of lavish spending and insubordination by Cedo.
The allegations caught the attention of Senate defense committee chairman Sen. Rodolfo Biazon vowed who wants to conduct a probe in the senate. As many corruption charges had been exposed in the past against the pervasive government corruption, the public is skeptical if anything tangible will come out of this investigation. The AFP is a governmental institution which traditionally operates with a huge obscure budget that the public has little knowledge of. (Photo Credit: Captain Narender) =0=
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Life on a balance: hostages can’t rely on the government for help?
For more than two months , Filipinos were asked to wait for the rescue of the three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers, but it appears nothing tangible has come out of the attempts to free the hostages
Ramon Casiple, director of the Institute for Political and Economic Reform says the government is handling the hostage crisis badly. He speaks of “bumbling” and the lack of cohesive plan to rescue the hostages that even the military admits.
“A disgusted Marines officer hit the government for its alleged weakness in handling the hostage crisis and choosing negotiations over the military option. He said the military stands to get the blame if something bad happens to the hostages.”---Malaya (04/02/09, Reyes, V)
After a skirmish that claimed the life of 3 soldiers and wounded 19 more, the rescue of Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba, Swiss Andreas Notter, and Italian Eugenio Vagni from the hideous Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf bandits have met a perilous impasse. No reliable word about their fates are known after the deadline on Tuesday, March 31, 2009. The Abu Sayyaf extremists’ demand that government military personnel leave the area has not been met.
Now, it is a fearful wait and see. Filipinos are told the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) soldiers are cordoning the forest where the hostages and their kidnappers are holed. Is it a preparation to attack the Abu Sayyaf’s position and free the hostages?
Those who know what transpired in the deaths of hostages Guillermo Sobero, Deborah Yap, and Martin Burnham can only hope for the best. The innocent humanitarian ICRC workers don’t merit the inhuman treatment from Abu Sayyaf. So too are the unnamed captives who languish in the bandit's lair. The government rescue plan, branded as inutile, must do better to save them. (Photo Credit: Charlie Saceda x 2) =0=
UPDATE: Apri 2, 2009 reports suggest that the kidnappers have abandoned their position and splintered into groups in anticipation for a rescue operation. The condition of the three ICRC kidnapped victims are so far unknown.
RELATED BLOGS: "Abu Sayyaf extremists warn of beheading ICRC captives" Posted by mesiamd at 3/31/2009; "Hostage takers now demand $10 million ransom" Posted by mesiamd at 2/09/2009
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