It's ridiculous that there are some who criticize our soldiers for acting too hastily, fighting a war when there are ongoing peace talks. The southern campaign is a war that must be fought, and resolved quickly in favor of the Republic. Criticizing the war does not help. Only the full support of the people of the Republic for our fighting forces will help to quickly resolve this war.
Those who say the war jeopardizes the peace process do not understand the situation in Mindanao. They do not understand that there are different groups active in the South each with different approaches and objectives. Most of these groups want peace and development.
They want their fair share of the 7.5% GDP growth, the highest in twenty years, that we, as a nation, have just achieved. They want prosperity like their Muslim brothers in Malaysia, and they know that to have that prosperity, there will have to be a negotiated peace.
The opponents in this campaign are not those with whom we are having peace talks with.
General Esperon has made this very clear, and reports in the field confirm, that he and our fighting men are exercising every precaution to avoid non-combatant casualties.
The war is with the Abu Sayyaf, the radicalized bandit group of less than fifty fighters that has consistently shown total disregard for civilians, foreign tourists, and our soldiers. This is the group that massacred almost an entire town, Christians and Muslims alike, in Zamboanga in 1990. This is the group that raided Dos Palmas, and Sipadan Island in Malaysia.
This is the group that engaged in numerous kidnappings, the proceeds of which were allegedly used to fund the 9-11 attacks in the United States.
They are not well regarded even among fellow muslims. The MNLF and MILF, our partners in the peace process, distance themselves from Abu Sayyaf.
Their only ties are with the equally radical Al-Queda, and their Indonesian counterpart, Jemaah Islamiya, perpetrators of the deadly Bali bombings.
Their ties reveal who they are, these are groups without negotiable issues, instead they are driven by delusions of an apocalyptic future, where peoples of the world: Muslims against the West, Muslims against fellow Muslims, fight each other, and from this anarchy will they emerge victorious to rule the world. Whatever is left of it after their madness.
We wish the military Godspeed in eradicating and capturing these deluded, and dangerous, bandits who have no regard for others, be they Christian or Muslim. They have no place in our Republic.
The MNLF and MILF, on the other hand, are presenting negotiable issues: Autonomy (since granted under the ARMM), muslim ancestral domains, Sharia communities and societies in their homelands, with schools, hospitals, and Sharia civic institutions. These are reasonable, tangible issues that can be negotiated in an environment of peace and prosperity.
Let's hope that the President returns from Malaysia with billions of dollars in pledges for development in Muslim Mindanao. Malaysia manages a large portion of the estimated $800Bln in assets looking for Sharia compliant investments.
There is plenty that aid from fellow Muslims can deliver in terms of building the social infrastructure of underdeveloped Mindanao: Madrasah schools, mass housing, hospitals, roads, irrigation, and communications can be built with investments and technical assistance from our progressive Islamic neighbor.
The war with the Abu Sayyaf has cost our armed forces over fifty brave lives. These soldiers are fellow Filipinos like you and me. They had dreams for themselves and for their families. They've sacrificed their dreams to defend the Republic.
Whenever we hear of tragic news, such as a major typhoon, a landslide, or earthquake, we Filipinos get together and help each other in whatever way we can. These soldiers have families, and children in school. They had dreams for their children, and it is now up to us to fulfill them.
Our brave fighting men deserve no less. When they put themselves at risk to defend the Republic, they should be confident that people of the Republic stand behind them to help fulfill their dreams for their loved ones.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Malaysiaku Gemilang: 50 years of Merdeka
On August 31, 1957, at exactly 12:01 AM a new South East Asian Nation was born out of the formerly British ruled Malayan Peninsula. It would be joined six years later by Sabah and Sarawak as a result of a referendum where residents voted to help create the Federation of Malaysia.
Singapore and Brunei would later break away from the federation to chart their own destinies, but both maintaining strong cultural and economic ties with South East Asia's most vibrant nation.
Join Malaysia as it celebrates fifty years of Merdeka (Independence) and celebrate the diversity of their tri-cultural nation of Malays, ethnic Chinese, and South Asians as they present the evolution of their uniquely unifying Malaysian heritage.
An impressive lineup of events is planned beginning with an International Fireworks Competition in the government center of Putrajaya, midway between the airport and Kuala Lumpur.
Make this a whole day affair with shopping, good food, watersports, and savor the inspiring “Putrajaya Floria Festival of Blooms” a garden festival commemorating fifty years of a nation in bloom.
August 31st is the big day as Malaysia celebrates “Malaysiaku Gemilang!,” Glorious Malaysia with a myraid of parades cultural performances, street shows, and carnivals.
Although many events are scheduled in Kuala Lumpur, each of Malaysia's thirteen states have their own festivities ensuring that no matter where you'll be in Malaysia, there will be a celebration nearby.
The main events will be held in Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur along the Putrajaya waterfront. The King's Palace in Kuala Lumpur will hold an open house for visitors, followed by a grand parade attended by their Majesties, the King and Queen of Malaysia, Prime Minister Badawi, dignitaries and the public. A spectacular fireworks display is scheduled in Putrajaya, followed by a free open air concert on the eve of Merdeka.
The week after that, on September 7-9, Kuala Lumpur hosts the International Military Tatoo Exhibition. Military tatoos are precision drills by various national honor guards spread out of three thrilling nights, with many visitting dignitaries from various governments from around the world.
And if that's not enough, Malaysia's numerous theme parks operate year round: Aquaria right inside the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centrenear Petronas, Sunway Lagoon Resort midway between Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, or Genting Highlands, along the border with Pahang State. For a more genteel experience take a trip to Cameron Highlands, a plantation style resort northeast of Kuala Lumpur.
For more information on exciting year around events in the“Visit Malaysia 2007” program, visit http://www.tourism.gov.my/
Fly to Malaysia and celebrate Merdeka with Cebu Pacific's affordable flights four times a week. Cebu Pacific, the only Philippine airline flying to Malaysia, now has more seats to Kuala Lumpur with the fielding of its new 179-seater Airbus A320.
Singapore and Brunei would later break away from the federation to chart their own destinies, but both maintaining strong cultural and economic ties with South East Asia's most vibrant nation.
Join Malaysia as it celebrates fifty years of Merdeka (Independence) and celebrate the diversity of their tri-cultural nation of Malays, ethnic Chinese, and South Asians as they present the evolution of their uniquely unifying Malaysian heritage.
An impressive lineup of events is planned beginning with an International Fireworks Competition in the government center of Putrajaya, midway between the airport and Kuala Lumpur.
Make this a whole day affair with shopping, good food, watersports, and savor the inspiring “Putrajaya Floria Festival of Blooms” a garden festival commemorating fifty years of a nation in bloom.
August 31st is the big day as Malaysia celebrates “Malaysiaku Gemilang!,” Glorious Malaysia with a myraid of parades cultural performances, street shows, and carnivals.
Although many events are scheduled in Kuala Lumpur, each of Malaysia's thirteen states have their own festivities ensuring that no matter where you'll be in Malaysia, there will be a celebration nearby.
The main events will be held in Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur along the Putrajaya waterfront. The King's Palace in Kuala Lumpur will hold an open house for visitors, followed by a grand parade attended by their Majesties, the King and Queen of Malaysia, Prime Minister Badawi, dignitaries and the public. A spectacular fireworks display is scheduled in Putrajaya, followed by a free open air concert on the eve of Merdeka.
The week after that, on September 7-9, Kuala Lumpur hosts the International Military Tatoo Exhibition. Military tatoos are precision drills by various national honor guards spread out of three thrilling nights, with many visitting dignitaries from various governments from around the world.
And if that's not enough, Malaysia's numerous theme parks operate year round: Aquaria right inside the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centrenear Petronas, Sunway Lagoon Resort midway between Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, or Genting Highlands, along the border with Pahang State. For a more genteel experience take a trip to Cameron Highlands, a plantation style resort northeast of Kuala Lumpur.
For more information on exciting year around events in the“Visit Malaysia 2007” program, visit http://www.tourism.gov.my/
Fly to Malaysia and celebrate Merdeka with Cebu Pacific's affordable flights four times a week. Cebu Pacific, the only Philippine airline flying to Malaysia, now has more seats to Kuala Lumpur with the fielding of its new 179-seater Airbus A320.
Point of Origin
Mattel's recall of 18.2 million products, including Barbie playsets, Polly Pocket, Dora the Explorer, Fisher Price and Sesame Street toys is just the tip of the iceberg.
Mattel takes pride in its position as the world's most trusted toy company, and was quick to announce the recall following reports of problems with product safety.
If a company as careful with toy quality as Mattel can be caught off-guard with safety issues from toys manufactured in China, how much more for other toys sold in our country?
Apart from the Mattel recall, several toy companies also announced recalls of products ranging from bibs to children's address books.
The Department of Health warns parents to look for the “PS” product safety seal in all the items they buy, including toys for children. Yet, how many of the toys we see in stores, discount shops, and the “bangketa” carry the PS mark?
The big toy companies may be announcing a recall, but who is going to recall the millions of cheap plastic dolls and other toys purchased in discount stores and the bangketa?
Many of these toys, cheap rip-offs of licensed characters, are sourced from China.
China's safety problems stem from a lack of any credible monitoring process. It's a big country, with hundreds of thousands of small manufacturers, operating in a largely unregulated environment.
Documentary fraud is rife. Chinese manufacturers gleefully put down on paper anything that the buyer wants to see, whether or not that's really what's in the product. That's like buying a Diploma in Recto University.
Mattel's specifications called for lead free paint, their contract manufacturer sought out a supplier of lead-free paint—his best friend, who betrayed him by substituting cheaper leaded paint.
Sometimes these substitutions can be deadly, as was the case with the rampant substitution of toxic diethylene glycol with the safe glycerine in toothpastes, cough syrups, and hair care products.
I'm not so worried about the brand name toothpastes, it's the discount specials, and the free hotel toothpaste that I'm worried about. Haven't you noticed that some hotel toothpaste seem to have a slightly different texture? There has already been a recall by a supplier of hotel toothpastes.
In some cases, the manufacturer unilaterally changes the design without informing the buyer, as in the case of the 450,000 China made tires recalled last month in the US.
The agreed upon design required a “gum strip” to hold the tire belts in place in use. The manufacturer conveniently decided to omit the gum strip in later revisions of the design, resulting in a tire that did not meet safety standards.
How many of these substitutions and safety omissions are occurring is anyone's guess. China is the Wild West when it comes to manufacturing standards. It's a problem they will have to fix, and will eventually.
In the meantime, it's up to our own regulators to ensure the safety of locally available products through tests and monitoring of available products.
It used to be easy to tell where a product originated: American products proudly proclaimed “Made in the USA,” Japanese electronics proudly announced “Made in Japan,” and Philippine goods proudly stated “Philippine Made.”
Now, things are not so clear. Many products in the supermarket say “Distributed by (name of company),” or “Made for (name of company),” but not where its made.
Where are these “Made for (name of company)” really made? If they're made by someone else, did the brand owner validate the manufacturers claims with independent tests, or did they just rely on a document from the “honest” manufacturer?
If I recall correctly, there's supposed to be a country of origin label on the item, not merely an ambiguous “Distributed by...” or “Made for...” Yet, many supermarket goods, and bangketa goods don't mention their true country of origin.
In fact, that labelling should be extended to include sourcing of ingredients, e.g. “Made in the Philippines with ingredients from China, Australia, and the United States.” That would be clearer, and more helpful to the consumer. It would certainly make it easier to act if there's another product safety scare.
Mattel takes pride in its position as the world's most trusted toy company, and was quick to announce the recall following reports of problems with product safety.
If a company as careful with toy quality as Mattel can be caught off-guard with safety issues from toys manufactured in China, how much more for other toys sold in our country?
Apart from the Mattel recall, several toy companies also announced recalls of products ranging from bibs to children's address books.
The Department of Health warns parents to look for the “PS” product safety seal in all the items they buy, including toys for children. Yet, how many of the toys we see in stores, discount shops, and the “bangketa” carry the PS mark?
The big toy companies may be announcing a recall, but who is going to recall the millions of cheap plastic dolls and other toys purchased in discount stores and the bangketa?
Many of these toys, cheap rip-offs of licensed characters, are sourced from China.
China's safety problems stem from a lack of any credible monitoring process. It's a big country, with hundreds of thousands of small manufacturers, operating in a largely unregulated environment.
Documentary fraud is rife. Chinese manufacturers gleefully put down on paper anything that the buyer wants to see, whether or not that's really what's in the product. That's like buying a Diploma in Recto University.
Mattel's specifications called for lead free paint, their contract manufacturer sought out a supplier of lead-free paint—his best friend, who betrayed him by substituting cheaper leaded paint.
Sometimes these substitutions can be deadly, as was the case with the rampant substitution of toxic diethylene glycol with the safe glycerine in toothpastes, cough syrups, and hair care products.
I'm not so worried about the brand name toothpastes, it's the discount specials, and the free hotel toothpaste that I'm worried about. Haven't you noticed that some hotel toothpaste seem to have a slightly different texture? There has already been a recall by a supplier of hotel toothpastes.
In some cases, the manufacturer unilaterally changes the design without informing the buyer, as in the case of the 450,000 China made tires recalled last month in the US.
The agreed upon design required a “gum strip” to hold the tire belts in place in use. The manufacturer conveniently decided to omit the gum strip in later revisions of the design, resulting in a tire that did not meet safety standards.
How many of these substitutions and safety omissions are occurring is anyone's guess. China is the Wild West when it comes to manufacturing standards. It's a problem they will have to fix, and will eventually.
In the meantime, it's up to our own regulators to ensure the safety of locally available products through tests and monitoring of available products.
It used to be easy to tell where a product originated: American products proudly proclaimed “Made in the USA,” Japanese electronics proudly announced “Made in Japan,” and Philippine goods proudly stated “Philippine Made.”
Now, things are not so clear. Many products in the supermarket say “Distributed by (name of company),” or “Made for (name of company),” but not where its made.
Where are these “Made for (name of company)” really made? If they're made by someone else, did the brand owner validate the manufacturers claims with independent tests, or did they just rely on a document from the “honest” manufacturer?
If I recall correctly, there's supposed to be a country of origin label on the item, not merely an ambiguous “Distributed by...” or “Made for...” Yet, many supermarket goods, and bangketa goods don't mention their true country of origin.
In fact, that labelling should be extended to include sourcing of ingredients, e.g. “Made in the Philippines with ingredients from China, Australia, and the United States.” That would be clearer, and more helpful to the consumer. It would certainly make it easier to act if there's another product safety scare.
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