Rising Number of Trafficked Fishermen in Tawi-Tawi

by Jake Soriano

 

BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi—Tawi-Tawi authorities are alarmed at the growing number of fishermen from the Visayas who end up here after being recruited by human trafficking syndicates to engage in dangerous compressor diving.

The latest case involves 13 fishermen rescued from a fishing village here on March 15 by a team composed of the Tawi-Tawi Provincial Police Office (PPO), Philippine Marines and the Bongao Inter-agency Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (BIATFAT).

The case is the eighth recorded by BIATFAT since December 2012, and brings the total number of rescued fishermen to 80, all of them from Cebu and Bohol.

 

 

 

Not just a backdoor transit point, Tawi-Tawi is also a destination for human trafficking victims.

“They have taken a huge risk in accepting compressor diving work here,” said Inspector Elmira Relox, chief of the Tawi-Tawi PPO Women and Children Protection Desk, who led the rescue.

Compressor diving, a dangerous deep-sea fishing method, requires the fishermen to dive into the water without any gear, except for a plastic hose attached to an air pump on the surface. The diver inhales air through the hose when deep underwater.

Police said compressor diving killed one fisherman and incapacitated another. The casualties, both of who had been recruited along with the 13 rescued fishermen, were not identified.

The rescued fishermen told police they started working for a certain Nelson Mohammad in September 2013, with the contract supposed to expire last February.

Mohammad, however, reportedly detained them in his residence after they complained of unfair pay and refused to extend their contract. He also claimed the fishermen still owed him money he had advanced to them in Cebu and their transportation expenses going to Tawi-Tawi.

Police said one of the fishermen escaped by swimming in the shallow waters off the edge of Bongao island and alerted the local authorities to the group’s situation.

Prosecutor Ivy Damayo of the Sea-based Anti-trafficking Task Force said hundreds more fishermen are trapped in dire working conditions on the islands.

The 13 rescued fishermen are from Lapu-Lapu City. The youngest is 19, the oldest 48.

“They were exploited and harassed by their employers,” Relox said.

According to police, fishermen from Cebu and Bohol are lured by recruiters who are known or related to them.

These recruiters advance the fishermen a portion of the promised salary ranging from P10,000 to P15,000 to get them to agree to work in Tawi-Tawi usually on a six-month contract. The fishermen are also promised a share of the profit from the catch.

But the agreements are made only orally. Once in Tawi-Tawi, the deep-sea divers are left to the mercy of their employers, and the promises forgotten.

BIATFAT focal person Rosabella Sulani said the fishermen usually work from 3 p.m. until 7 the next morning.

When their contracts are about to expire, the fishermen are told they still owe their employers money and they would have to stay to be able to pay their debts. The victims, therefore, get caught in a vicious cycle of debt bondage, Sulani said.

 

 

Fishing is a leading source of livelihood in Tawi-Tawi.

 

Fishermen are also regularly threatened with violence, according to police. Their employers usually carry firearms and claim to have a network of contacts among the local authorities in Tawi-Tawi.

Mohammad managed to evade capture when local authorities raided his residence to rescue the 13 fishermen and, according to Sulani, has become the newest addition to the growing list of suspects behind the trafficking of fishermen from Cebu and Bohol to Tawi-Tawi.

He is the first to be identified operating in Languyan town near Bongao, capital of Tawi-Tawi, said Sulani.

The victims told police that Mohammad lives in Sama-Kasulutan in Simandagit, Bongao, reputedly a den for lawless elements, including members of the Abu Sayyaf. He is known to carry firearms, and once fired a gun in the air when he got mad at his employees.

One of the rescued fishermen told police that Mohammad also claims to be well connected to law enforcement officials in Tawi-Tawi.

Three other suspects identified by Sulani allegedly employing compressor divers in the island municipalities of Sibutu and Sitangkai are Anthony Jumat and the brothers “Ugly” and Jimmy Haibit.

BIATFAT records of Bongao cases referred to Zamboanga City show that Jimmy Haibit was charged with human trafficking on July 16, 2013. The case is awaiting resolution.

Also charged was Policarpio “Paul” Mantos, who reportedly recruits fishermen from Cebu and Bohol.

BIATFAT, meanwhile, referred on Jan. 29 a trafficking case against Jumat to the Zamboanga City Prosecutor’s Office. Task force officials said Jumat is also known as a notorious drug pusher in Tawi-Tawi and that he allegedly works with recruiter Jefferson Daño.

Last Sept. 5, BIATFAT rescued a fisherman from Bohol who said as payment for the amount given to him in advance in Bohol, Jumat made him peddle the illegal drug methamphetamine hydrochloride, also known as shabu.

Sulani said some fishermen are forced to use “shabu” to combat tough sea conditions, particularly the extreme cold at night.

No cases have been filed against Mohammad, his recruiter, identified as Eduardo Tumulak, and “Ugly” Haibit. They are at large.

The Tawi-Tawi PPO and the BIATFAT turned over the 13 rescued fishermen to authorities in Zamboanga, who in turn facilitated their return to Cebu.

Relox said catching the employers and recruiters remains a problem for the police. “They are just too good,” she said, referring to human traffickers’ skills at evading authorities.

While many victims have been rescued, only a few are interested in pursuing cases, Damayo said. Among the 80 rescued, she said, “only about three are interested” in legal action against their former employers and recruiters.

(This story is part of VERA Files' project “Human Trafficking Casewatch” supported by the U.S. Embassy's Small Grants Facility and the Embassy of Canada. VERA Files is put out by senior journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. VERA is Latin for true.)

Frohe Ostern! Happy Easter!

ALLEN MEINEN LESERINNEN UND LESERN EIN GESEGNETES FROHES OSTERFEST!

FOR ALL MY DEAR READERS:

I WISH YOU A VERY BLESSED HAPPY EASTER!

Good Bye World? Good Bye Philippines?

A UN panel believes the world could meet a maximum target for global warming if it significantly cuts annual emissions by 2050. According to a report, however, few nations are doing enough to meet the stated goal. 

Annual emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases must drop 40-70 percent by 2050 to keep the global temperature rise below the 2-degree Celsius (3.6-degree F), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) announced in a report released last Sunday. So far, the opposite has happened: On average global emissions rose by 1 billion tons a year between 2000 and 2010, outpacing growth in previous decades to reach "unprecedented levels" despite some efforts to contain them, the IPCC announced.

"There is a clear message from science," IPCC co-chair Ottmar Edenhofer said. "To avoid dangerous interference with the climate system, we need to move away from business as usual."

According to scientists, failure to meet the 2-degree target could lead to further droughts, rising seas and heat waves. The IPCC adopted its 33-page summary at a weeklong session in Berlin to help guide the nearly 200 governments negotiating a new climate agreement for next year.

Top three emitters

Counting all emissions since the 18th century, the United States remains the top carbon polluter. However, China's current emissions run much greater than those of the US.

Along with China and the US, the EU as a bloc is in the world's top-three emitters. About half of the world's combined emissions since 1750 have come in the past 40 years.

The IPCC will release a larger scientific report this week. A report last month warned that flooding, droughts and other climate impacts could have devastating effects on economies, agriculture and human health, particularly in developing countries.

Global temperatures have risen about 0.8 Celsius since record-keeping started in 1850. The IPCC found that keeping warming below 2 C by the year 2100 will require a shift from oil and coal. That would mean a near-quadrupling of energy from zero- or low-carbon sources such as solar and wind power.

Current pledges by governments to reduce emissions by 2020 have set the world on a path between 3 and 5 degrees C of warming by 2100, according to the IPCC - a potentially catastrophic level. UN climate chief Christiana Figueres, in charge of the talks, has urged countries to raise their collective ambition.

"The only safe path forward is to arrive at a carbon neutral world in the second half of this century," Figueres said.

Dead Roads

Re-published Editorial MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR dated April 3, 2014 with friendly permission of Publisher Marietta Siongco

"Acting Mayor Paolo Duterte has pointed out one of the problems Davao City has that has been making traffic congestion a growing problem. There are some roads, he said, that have become unused and unusable because a number of people have put up permanent structures on them, including homes and businesses. These settlers, he said, have taken over public roads that could otherwise have been used for what they were built for: access of vehicles. Instead, the roads - built with taxpayers' money - have become settlements and even parking lots, benefitting only a few. And in the case of these roads, many of those who have settler are not the stereotypical urban poor who are forced to squat out of poverty but those who have the means to put up real houses. Some are rich enough to rent out the structures they build.

The obvious response should be demolish these structures for being patently illegal. They are built on public land that everyone should enjoy but are beeing kept from the people by a few who are not even in dire need. This, in fact, ist what the acting mayor said he would do, and in this, we agree. Traffic congestion is indeed a growing problem in Davao City, and any relief, no matter how small is welcome. Paolo spoke of at least two areas in downtown Davao, but we are sure there are many other roads that need to be cleared of illegal settlers.

The problem, of course, is that the settlers will not want to move and will fight for their supposed right to stay in these areas. This is where the political will of the city government will be tested. Unlike urban poor informal settlers who often have no choice on where they live and must, by law, be afforded every form of assistance so they can move to their own land, the settlers in question here can well afford to live elsewhere. The government must reclaim these "dead" roads and keep private individuals from keeping public lands to themselves."

War at work

Foreigners' Questions about The Philippines

I am living permanently in the Philippines since January 1999. Meanwhile I got great opportunities: writing for several print papers and hosting radio shows in the Philippines, which are also to be recognized via live stream.

Meanwhile I receive a lot mails daily - mostly from concerned foreigners, who plan to put a business here or to get married to Filipina/Filipino national. Or, they are in need to get help and professional assistance in dealing with several Philippine authorities.

I always like people asking a lot of questions before moving to the Philippines for good. I appreciate that. Anyway, some questions are still hurting me, although I am not a Filipino. Sometimes, I really don't know whether I should laugh or cry.

A doctor from a Western country sent me an email (already many years ago, but it's really a fantasic example!), asking if Filipinos are wearing shoes, because he only and always saw them in slippers. NO COMMENT.

A businessman asked why Filipinos try to avoid to speak (and/or learn) the Spanish language.I suggested to him, to research Philippine History.

Someone mailed and asked, if the Philippines are really such poor, and if we would have hunger here?

Another doctor planned to open up a clinic in the "capital of the Philippines", asking me, if I would enjoy living and working in this capital "Jakarta". I really thought, he was kidding. When I mailed him, that Jakarta is not the capital of the Philippines,he stopped mailing me.

Sometimes, I am wondering myself, why foreigners don't know more about this beautiful country - especially if they are planning to move here for good.

"Do you have tomatoes there?" - An email - just a couple of days ago... .

Maybe those million Philippine Oversea Workers could help to establish a better image of the Philippines. Before Philippine Star columnist Jessica Zafra stated: "It's an entire country outside our national borders. All those Filipinos have friends, former classmates, colleagues and family members living abroad!"

Disputed South China Sea Shoal

SECOND THOMAS SHOAL –  

 A Philippine government ship has slipped past a Chinese coast guard blockade and brought food and fresh troops to a marooned navy ship used as a base by Filipino troops to bolster the country's territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea

The incident Saturday was witnessed by journalists who were invited by the Philippines military to accompany the resupply mission.

Around one hour away from Second Thomas Shoal, a Chinese coast guard ship twice crossed the bow of the smaller Philippine vessel in an attempt to stop it from proceeding. It radioed the Filipinos, telling them to stop entering Chinese territory.

But the Filipino captain maneuvered to shallow waters where the Chinese ship couldn't sail to reach the marooned vessel.

Early this month, Chinese vessels blocked a resupply mission.

The "Rising Tiger"?

Attributed to the government's economic initiatives and political reforms which appear to have begun bearing fruit, the Philippines has been dubbed by the World Bank as the "rising tiger" of Asia. No longer seen as the sick man of East Asia, the country has been showing macroeconomic stability with the government's fiscal situation sound and improving.

Evidently, the continued presence of the country's development set up an ideal platform for public-private partnership.

Philippines - the rising tiger in Asia? Let's hope and pray for this!

For Our Own Protection

Re-published Editorial MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR dated March 15, 2014 with friendly permission of Publisher Marietta Siongco.

"Is martial law back? Yes, but only in Davao City and only during the Araw ng Davao celebration. That means checkpoints all over, heightened police and military alert and thousands of force multipliers employed to secure the city against those with evil minds and criminal intent. Wait, there's more, also no backpacks, no big bags that could conceal a potential weapon and no parking of vehicles along strategic routes.

This was stressed by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo  himself during a command conference with police and military officials. 'It would be as strict as martial law, said Duterte, 'but it is for the protection of the community.'

So why not just scrap the whole Araw ng Davao frenzied preparation for the city's 77th anniversary foundation, one sarcastic observer asked. A preposterous idea, of course. Everything, has been set in motion and the festivities must go on as planned. Too bad, Duterte had gone on a leave of absence from March 13 to April 4 to recharge his batteries and to relieve whatever pain wracks his body.

Meanwhile, Davaoenos have to grin and bear the hassles of a martial-like rule. Anyway, the ultra strict security measures will only last until March 16, Sunday. And it is all being implemented for our own protection.

Up, Up and Away

Re-published column of mine in MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR dated March 14,2014 with friendly permission of my publisher Marietta F. Siongco.

I think, I was at the age of 11 or so, when my first trip by plane took me to Holland. Later, I joined several journeys with German Foreign Aid, International YMCA and other institutions. For the first time, in 1976, I stepped on Philippine soil - just for two days only before heading to Japan. Of course (!), I flew with Philippine Airlines.

Since experiencing several negativism with other airlines during the 1980s, I kept on flying with flag carrier PAL - though really many times PLANE was ALWAYS LATE. A trip back from Davao to Manila could become a nightmare. Several times I missed by international connecting flight.

But I enjoyed the "Mabuhay Miles" as frequent flyer, especially when I observed that PAL has lowered the redemption values on selected PAL international and domestic flights. I also enjoyed treats while taking my pleasure in the comfort and luxury at selected hotels in Hong Kong or Singapore,

Today, while writing this piece, the MIRROR headlines, that PAL Express, sister company of this country's flag carrier, begins suspending most of its inter-islands domestic flights across Visayas and Mindanao. As MIRROR readers could learn via Judy Quiros' article: the Davao-Manila-Davao flights will be the only one that would remain. PAL for its part said the move is also seen to improve PAL's performance, because it is expected to save about $300 million in operating costs annually. Let's wait and see, how the improvement of PAL's performance looks like.

Sometine 2010, reports said already, that PAL mentioned weak passengerdemand mainly pulled down revenues to $1.36 billion. During that time, the airline assured stockholders and the public that it continued to look for ways of improving its financial condition and results of operations. It seems, that Philippine Airlg to ines is still on a long way from sustainable profitability.

By the way: the country's leading low-cost carrier, Cebu Pacific took delivery of its third brandnew Airbus 330 aircraft being on service for Cebu and Davao guests especially during the now summer season. It's amazing to learn, that Cebu Pacific strengthens its domestic network with additional daily frequences from Manila to Bacolod, Zamboanga and other dometic destinations. Here is the thing: Airbus' fuel-saving technology allows to keep fares low. Just to mention one reason ... .

One more thing: I love to fly with Cebu Pacific, because mostly all flights are on time or even before arriving schedule.

Mayor Rody Duterte's Araw ng Davao 2014 Message

Typhoon-hit Philippine Farmers to Reap Harvest

AFP Typhoon-hit Philippine farmers to reap harvest: UN

Farmers in the Philippines will soon reap a harvest after using emergency seed supplies to grow crops following a devastating typhoon that struck during planting season, the UN food agency said Monday.

Super Typhoon Haiyan raked across the central Philippines last November, killing at least 6,200 people with around 2,000 others still missing, while also displacing four million and leaving tens of thousands of farmers without their livelihoods.

Haiyan hit at a "terrible time" between rice planting seasons but timely seed replacements have ensured a second harvest is not lost, said Jose Graziano da Silva, director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Last year the agency had voiced concerns that without the harvest, vulnerable farmers would not have been able to collect rice for almost a year -- until October or November 2014.

"I am pleased to say that our support got there in time," he said in a speech to local farmers who received 1.76 million tonnes of seeds from the FAO after the typhoon.

"When the crop is harvested (in March or April)... it should yield enough rice to feed 800,000 people for more than a year," he added.

"This means that they will not only be able to feed their families, but also sell the surplus and generate extra income which is crucial for them to fully recover."

Graziano da Silva said Haiyan had destroyed 1.1 million tonnes of crops, along with 33 million coconut trees in a major farming region described by the Philippine government as among the poorest.

He said providing coconut farmers with other sources of income, such as helping them plant faster-yielding crops, was a top FAO priority in the six to eight years it will take for new coconut trees to start bearing fruit.

Constant Vigilance Needed in Fight versus Computer Scammers

It happened all over the world. Computer Scammers are increasingly moving away from email and into social media to exercise their fraudulent activities. A Canadian consumer watchdog said this in a report several days ago.

With the growing popularity of such social media as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and You Tube, the increasing number of platforms was just adding to the avenues where fraud was occuring.

Interesting to read is Danielle Primrose's opinion. Danielle is president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Mainland British Columbia in Canada. Danielle states, "Emails still prevail, and I myself get them as well, but now with texting and smart phones and just the rapidity of social media platforms, Twitter, all of these new accounts are just opening up an absolute new form of scammers to get in there."

Example: By hooking to an app that promised the latest gossip, gullible users are directed to an online survey that puts an advertising commission into a spammer's coffers. Whether the content is non-existent or fake, in come cases a person may end up installing malicious software on a computer after clicking through to the video content, according to the report.

Other scams included "astro-turfing", the practice of posting fake online reviews to boost a business's profile, and "curbers", unlicensed car dealers who sell junk vehicles or others that may be stolen.

There were also phone telemarketers demanding money for fake services and mail lottery scams that targeted not only seniors.

New Bureau of Immigration Departure/Arrival Cards

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) launched the new immigration departure and arrival cards which will be used nationwide effective next month.

The BI-NAIA said the newly designed and printed immigration cards is just one of the projects of the bureau in its coming efforts to simplify frontline services and improve access by the traveling public.

The arrival card is coded blue, while the departure is in red. These cards are used to document passengers, for border management and compilation of tourism statistics.

Unlike the old immigration cards which are printed by airline companies, the BI-NAIA said the new cards are funded by the government, distributed by authorized personnel, and are free of advertisements.

The design and data fields of the cards are aligned with the BI's existing computer systems - the upgraded BI-Information-System (BIIS). The size of the color-coded forms are aligned with that of the standard passport page.

The BI-NAIA said the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) provided valuable inputs to the new cards while the National Printing Office (NPO) was tapped to print the cards and to ensure regular supply.

Happy travelling everyone!

Philippines has World's 3rd Most Journalists' Killings

The Philippines had the third most number of journalists killed last year and has continued to be among the countries where press freedom is imperiled, according to two international media watchdogs.

In its "Killing the Messenger" report released Tuesday, the London-based International News Safety Institute (INSI) said that last year 14 journalists were killed in the Philippines, next to Syria with 20 journalists killed and Iraq with 16.

The INSI reported that 134 journalists and media staff were killed in 29 countries in 2013, of which 69 happened in peacetime while the rest during armed conflicts in different parts of the world.

Of the 14 journalists killed in the Philippines, four were officially listed as having died while they were working at a radio station in Tacloban City in central Philippines when super typhoon Haiyan hit the area on Nov. 8, 2013.

According to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), a local media watchdog, 10 other media workers, who were on duty when the typhoon struck, have remained missing and were presumed to have died.

Also late last year, three radio commentators in southern Philippines were gunned down within two weeks but up to now the killers have not been apprehended.

In the Philippines, particularly in the provinces, anyone can buy radio time where part-time commentators attack or malign their enemies on air. The object of these attacks often resort to hiring a professional killer to "silence" the commentator. Killings like these almost always remain unsolved in the Philippines.

According to the INSI, of the total casualties, 65 died covering armed conflicts, primarily in Syria and Iraq, while 51 were killed in peacetime covering issues like crime and corruption, and 18 died in accidents.

The total was down from 152 deaths recorded in 2012, but there was an accompanying rise in assaults, threats and kidnappings directed at journalists that largely go unreported, the INSI said.

Last week, the international media group Reporters Sans Frontieres (Reporters without Borders) also said that the media situation in the Philippines has remained in a "difficult situation" and the environment of freedom "has even worsened."

According to the RSF's "2014 World Press Freedom Index" the Philippines went down two notches to the 149th among 180 countries included in the index.

The Philippines ranked 156th in 2010 after the Maguindanao Massacre on Nov. 23, 2009 when 32 of the 58 people killed were journalists.

According to the RSF, the Philippines and Pakistan are among the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.

When Philippine President Benigno Aquino III took office in 2010, the country managed to climb to the 140th spot in 2011 before sliding down again to the 147th place last year.

Even the troubled countries of Mali (now ranked 122nd) and the Central African Republic (now 109th), which dropped more than 120 spots, were better off than the Philippines, the index showed.

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that the Aquino administration has failed to make any "significant progress" last year to address impunity in media killings.

The HRW listed only 12 Filipino journalists killed in 2013 which has brought to 26 the total number of journalists killed since Aquino assumed office in June 2010.

According to HRW of the 26 media killings, police have arrested suspects in only six cases and the government has secured convictions in only two cases.

Reacting to the media watchdogs' findings, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said the Aquino administration is " committed" to pursue and prosecute the assailants of slain journalists.

"We will continue to ensure that there are no prior restraints to the exercise of press freedom," Coloma said.

But the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) said that killing of journalists in the Philippines has remained unabated even during the present administration.

"The apparent apathy of the government toward killings and attacks against press freedom emboldens attackers to inflict harm as they go unpunished," the NUJP said in its Facebook page. 

Philippine Christians on Charity Walk for Typhoon Victims

Thousands of members of an influential Christian group in the Philippines have walked in a fundraising rally for victims of November's typhoon. Former footballer and UNICEF ambassador David Beckham also paid a visit. 

Police in Manila said 200,000 people took part in the walk on Saturday to raise money for survivors of one of the country's worst-ever typhoons. All those who walked the three kilometers along the capital's seaside avenue bought special white t-shirts to wear during the march, with all proceeds being donated to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

The walkers were members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) which has at least three million members in the largely Catholic nation of 100 million people. The group's conservative members tend to vote as a group and are, as a result, politically significant.

It is a hundred days since Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines on November 8, killing more than six thousand people and displacing four million. A million homes were either damaged or destroyed. Many people are still living in tents and other temporary shelters supplied by an international humanitarian effort led by the United Nations.

"We cannot afford to be complacent," Luiza Carvalho, the UN coordinator for the Philippines, said on Saturday. "The need for durable shelter for millions of people whose homes were damaged or destroyed is critical."

"Millions of livelihoods were similarly destroyed or impaired when the typhoon tore down or damaged 33 million coconut trees, flooded fields with saltwater and took away or wrecked 30,000 fishing vessels," Carvalho added.

Carvalho also called for more donations to help the survivors. She said that only 45 percent of the UN's aid appeal for $788 million (575 million euros) launched in December has been raised so far.

Beckham benefit

Former footballer David Beckham paid a two-day visit to typhoon-hit areas in his role as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). On Friday he played football with children on the sports field of a ruined school in Tanauan, one of the towns worst hit by the typhoon. Earlier he had visited a health care center.

“As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, seeing how children are being given a sense of normality amidst the rubble of their communities has been amazing,” Beckham said via a UNICEF blog. “I want to show people around the world how their generous donations have had an enormous impact on children and their families and how thankful people here are for their kindness.”

jm/dr (dpa, AFP)

(C) DW.DE

Get Serious

Re-published Editorial from MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR dated February 11, 2014 with friendly permission of publisher Marietta F. Siongco.

"The bus accident that claimed the lives of 15 people - including comedian Arvin "Tado" Jimenez and former Ateneo de Davao University Grade School teacher Leah Abrasaldo Reyes - is yet another tragedy that need not have happened had government only taken seriously the calls for it to clamp down on wayward bus companies. The accident in Bontoc, Mountain Province last Friday happened less than two months after the fatal fall of a bus from the Metro Manila Skyway on December 16 last year which killed 18 people, and at the time an outraged populace had demaanded that government do something to keep passengers safe while in public transport. Indeed, a big fuss made officially on the issue for a while, only to die down as the matter got buried in other news.

As it is, our roads often seem like highways to hell, each trip we make a gamble on whether or not we would live to tell the tale. For a country whose people must regularly travel through hundreds of kilometers of concrete and asphalt, this is a totally unacceptable state of affairs. Bus drivers literally have our lives in their hands as they weave in and through roads and traffic as breakneck speeds, with obviously no regard for safety. Many such drivers seem to feel earning money is the be all-end all, and they drive recklessly in order to achieve it. Caught helplessly in the middle are the passengers who often have no choice but to take the bus, especially on long trips.

Each time an accident like this happens, we ask: How many more mishaps need to happen before government does something? The answer is obviously, "Much more". The Skyway accident last December passed without any real solutions being made, and now the Bontoc tragedy has really overwhelmed it. Not even the fact that a celebrity was one of the fatalities seems to be moving the authorities to doing something about the problem of abusive bus companies. The proper agencies have not yet gone around inspecting buses to make sure they are roadworthy, and none has bothered to check the licenses and franchises given to the companies. Last week's accident need not have happened, but government allowed it to. It's time to get serious about transport safety."

Philippinen Tours: Typische Verkehrsmittel auf den Philippinen

Wer Reisen in fremden Ländern als aktive Unternehmung versteht, der ist auf geeignete Verkehrsmittel angewiesen. Dabei mögen die Meinungen über das Prädikat geeignet weit auseinander gehen. Wichtig ist in diesem Zusammenhang, eine Wegstrecke von A nach B zu überwinden.

Bei einem Aufenthalt auf den Philippinen wird der Reisende schnell erkennen, dass sich die Möglichkeiten der Fortbewegung nicht immer so einfach darstellen, als das in der Heimat der Fall ist. Nach einigen Erfahrungen mit den hier beschriebenen Verkehrsmitteln mag sich jedoch ein anderes Bild ergeben.

Das philippinische Pendant zur indischen Rikscha: das sogenannte “Sikat-Sikat”.

Auf gemütlicher Fahrt mit dem Fahrrad-Taxi

Ganz gleich, ob in der Stadt oder in kleineren Dörfern – der Verkehr wird meistens von einfachen, unscheinbaren Fahrzeugen dominiert. Eines der wichtigsten Vertreter ist dabei das sogenannte „Sikat-Sikat“. Beim Sikat-Sikat handelt es sich um ein meist kleineres Fahrrad, ähnlich einem BMX, dem ein massiver Fahrgastraum hinzugefügt wurde. Mit einem solchen ‘Gefährt’ transportiert der „Sikat-Taxler“ mitunter bis zu 4 Personen, zumindest, wenn es sich um Filipinos und um einigermaßen ebene Wegstrecken handelt. Im Preis-/Leistungsverhältnis sind diese Fahrrad-Taxen kaum zu schlagen.

Der „Chauffeur“ schreckt auch nicht vor längeren Wegstrecken zurück. Zwei bis drei Kilometer liegen da durchaus im Bereich des Machbaren. Der einheimische Filipino wird für eine solche Dienstleistung vielleicht 5 – 7 Pesos bezahlen. Das sind etwa 20 Eurocents. In der heißen Sonne wird man als Europäer den Fahrrad Taxler auch für eine Wegstrecke von 500 Meter bemühen und ihm dafür gerne den doppelten Preis bezahlen.

Das Schöne bei diesem Angebot von Dienstleistungen ist, dass es keine Wartezeiten und keine festen Fahrpläne gibt, auf die man achten müsste.

Ein halbes Dutzend Passagiere sind in einem Tricycle nichts Außergewöhnliches. Wir geben zu: in diesem Fall handelt es sich schon um ein ganz besonders “überladenes” Exemplar.

Mit dem Tricycle geht’s weiter

Nach einem ähnlichen Prinzip sind Motorrad Taxis konzipiert, kurz Tricycle genannt. Diese Personenbeförderungsmittel bestimmen vielerorts das Straßenbild nicht nur durch ihre Anzahl, sondern auch durch ihre Lautstärke. Mit diesen Fahrzeugen lassen sich natürlich größere Entfernungen meistern und vor allem darf zusätzlich auch sperriges Gepäck “mit an Bord“.

Auf den Philippinen gehören Tricycles zum normalen Straßenbild. Auf einer Philippinen Reise sollte es daher keinerlei Vorbehalte geben, auf solche Möglichkeiten zurückzugreifen. Der Spaßfaktor ist garantiert und eine solche Fahrt ist in vielen Fällen schon ein kleines Reiseerlebnis.

Es gibt viele Gründe diese, für europäische Verhältnisse ungewöhnlichen Transportmittel in Anspruch zu nehmen, sei es für den Weg vom Flugplatz zur Unterkunft, für den Besuch auf dem Wochenmarkt, für die Fahrt zum Hafen oder für eine kleine Sightseeing-Tour. Die Fahrpreise liegen meistens erheblich niedriger als eine Fahrt in einem regulären Taxi kosten würde.

Weniger als drei Leute sieht man eigtl. eher selten auf einem Habal Habal.

Das Habal-Habal für spezielle Fahrten

Auf den Philippinen gibt es durchaus gute Straßen, allerdings sind diese meistens auf wichtige Verbindungsstrecken beschränkt und keineswegs flächendeckend vorhanden. Für den Weg zur Schule und für viele andere Anlässe sind alle Menschen aus Dörfern und Ansiedlungen, die nicht über gut befestigte Verbindungsstraßen verfügen auf ein sehr spezielles Fahrzeug angewiesen, das Habal-Habal. Mit dem Motorrad ohne Beiwagen lassen sich auch steinige und steilere Wegstrecken meistern.

Damit mehr als nur eine Person chauffiert werden kann,wird am Habal-Habal die Sitzbank künstlich verlängert. Ohne diesen Eingriff könnte diese Art von Personentransport ansonsten nicht ökonomisch betrieben werden.

Auf einer Philippinen-Reise kann es allerdings auch für den Besucher gute Gründe geben, auf eine solche Dienstleistung zurückzugreifen. Schöne Wasserfälle und andere interessante Ausflugsziele in den Bergen, vielleicht auf einem der zahlreichen Vulkane auf den Philippinen, können oftmals nur mit dem Habal-Habal realisiert werden.

Der Klassiker auf den philippinischen Straßen: der Jeepney (Armak).

Das Jeepney – Markenzeichen im philippinischen Straßenverkehr

Alleine schon durch ihren Glanz und ihre liebevolle Gestaltung und Aufmachung sind Jeepneys die Krönung im philippinischen Straßenverkehr. In den Anfängen waren es vom US Militär nach dem 2. Weltkrieg zurückgelassene Fahrzeuge, die die Improvisationskunst der Filipinos angeregt hatte. Heute werden die Karosserien in mühevoller Handarbeit individuell angefertigt und mit gebrauchten Motoren fahrtüchtig gemacht.

Neben dem tollen Aussehen werden viele Freunde exotischer Fahrzeuge auch von der Rauchwolke und vor allem dem Klang des Motors begeistert sein, wenn ein Jeepney Fahrt aufnimmt.

Auf der Fahrt mit einem Jeepney lernt man vieles über die ungezwungene und unverfälschte Lebensfreude kennen, die den Filipinos eigen ist. Haltestellen sind überall dort, wo der Passant auf der Straße mit einem Handzeichen andeutet, dass er gerne mitfahren möchte. Auch hier sind Fahrpläne überflüssig.

Jeepneys fahren in regelmäßiger Unregelmäßigkeit, und Rücksicht ist oberstes Gebot.

Alle Fahrgäste werden respektvoll behandelt und kleine, zeitliche Verzögerungen, die durch die Mitnahme von sperrigem Gepäck oder gar eines Haustieres, wie einer Ziege oder einem kleinen Ferkel entstehen, werden ohne Murren von den Fahrgästen akzeptiert. Besonders die kleineren und die älteren Fahrgäste werden mit besonderer Rücksicht behandelt.

Und noch eins

Ausdrücke wie: Silat-Sikat, Habal-Habal oder Balik-Balik stammen aus den Landesteilen der Philippinen, in denen Vorzugsweise der Visayan Dialekt gesprochen wird, also in den Visayas und auf der südlichen Hauptinsel Mindanao. Alle Dinge und Handlungen, die mit Dynamik verbunden sind, sind häufig dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zugehörige Name doppelt benutzt wird.

Das Jeepney ist unter dieser Bezeichnung eher im nördlichen Teil der Philippinen zuhause, auf der nahezu ausschließlich die eigentliche Landessprache, Tagalog, gesprochen wird. In den Visayas und auf Mindanao werden Jeepneys meistens als Armak bezeichnet.

Auf der Philippinen-Reise können also gerade im Straßenverkehr und mit der Nutzung der hier beschriebenen Beförderungsmittel sehr viele schöne Erlebnisse und Erkenntnisse über Land und Leute gewonnen werden.

(C) by Philippinen Tours

 

 

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Have My Say in MINDANAO DAILY NEWS

What's the Internet's Worst Password?

Regarding a report of AFP Washington the number sequence "123456" has overtaken "password" as the most common worst passwort among Internet users, an online security firm says.

Releasing its annual "Worst Password List", SplashData said it was the first time "password" had lost its number-one position, changing places with its numerial rival.

In third place was "12345678", unchanged from 2012, while "qwerty" and "abc123" came in fourth and fifth - and "iloveyou" climbed two spots to number nine.

Swinging the results, SplashData said, was a major breach involving Adobe software that laid bare the widespread use of weak passwords among users of such Adobe products as Photoshop.

"Seeing passwords like 'adobe123' and 'photoshop' on this list (for the first time) offers a good reminder not tyo be base your passwort on the name of the website or application you are accessing," said SplashData Chief executive Morgain Slain, whose company markets password management apps.

Like other passwords experts, SplashData encouraged Internet users to opt for "passphrases" - a bunch of random words, like "smiles-like-skip?" - that are easy to remember, but harder for online scam artists to crack.

Philippines Among 2014 Top Destinations

The British Daily Telegraph named the Philippines on January 7, 2014, among the Top 20 destinations for 2014 because of its white-sand beaches, glorious landscapes and wildlife, recommending as must-see places the islands of Panglao in Bohol, Boracay in Aklan, and Malapascua in Cebu, and citing for culture and adventure of Donsol in Sorsogon, and the Cordilleras for its indigenous people and the Banaue rice terraces, a protected heritage site by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, as well as Palawan for its limestone peaks, caves, crystal-clear bathing spots, and underground river in Puerto Princesa.

The Telegraph, founded in 1855, cited Boracay as the Philippines’ most famous beach, “a white-sand beauty that is also the place to go to party, whether at a low-key beach shack or chick cocktail bar.” It recommended the Philippines for island-hopping between sugary beaches that, it noted, receive far fewer tourists than they should. It noted that Filipinos love fiestas and tourists should see them in celebratory mood by joining famous traditional festivities such as the various fiestas in honor of the Sto. Niño – Ati-Atihan, Sinulog, Binirayan, and Dinagyang. “Participants don feathers, paint their faces and dance to drums; the atmosphere is infectious,” it said.

The Telegraph said that the Philippines is more accessible from London’s Heathrow Airport through the nation’s flag carrier.

Other destinations in the top 20 list this year because of their cultural and natural wonders are Glasgow in Scotland, Papua New Guinea, Matera in Italy, Bordeaux in France, Jerusalem in the Middle East, America’s Charleston, Chengdu in China, Liuwa Plain National Park in Zambia, Sumatra in Indonesia, Alacati in Turkey, Egadi in Italy, Canouan Island in the Carribean, Kashmir in India, El Salvador, The Ganges in India, Stewart Island in New Zealand, Darwin in Australia, and Red Mountain in Canada.

The Manila Bulletin, led by its Chairman of the Board of Directors Dr. Emilio T. Yap, President and Publisher Atty. Hermogenes P. Pobre, Executive Vice President Dr. Emilio C. Yap III, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Cris J. Icban Jr., Business Editor Loreto D. Cabañes, Officers and Employees, congratulate the Department of Tourism, headed by Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr., Undersecretaries Daniel G. Corpuz, Atty. Maria Victoria V. Jasmin, Ma. Theresa I. Martinez, and Assistant Secretary for International Tourism Promotions Benito C. Bengzon Jr., for their collective efforts in upgrading tourism facilities and infrastructure in top destinations for our Filipino people in our Republic of the Philippines that are lauded in international publications, travel and tour magazines and online surveys. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY

Philippines Web Abuse Ring Smashed in UK-led Operation

A paedophile ring that streamed live child abuse from the Philippines over the internet has been broken up after an operation by UK police and their counterparts in Australia and the US.

The National Crime Agency says 17 Britons have been arrested in Operation Endeavour, which spanned 14 countries.

Three other inquiries into men who pay to see abuse via webcams are under way, with 139 Britons among 733 suspects.

The NCA say it is an "emerging threat", particularly in developing countries.

It said: "Extreme poverty, the increasing availability of high-speed internet and the existence of a vast and comparatively wealthy overseas customer base has led to organised crime groups exploiting children for financial gain."

Continue reading the main story

Analysis

Angus Crawford BBC News

 

The man whose arrest sparked the entire investigation was already a convicted paedophile.

Timothy Ford was found guilty of making indecent images of children in 1992 and 2001. 

At the time he was directing the Philippines abuse he was still under the supervision of a police dangerous persons management unit.

He was in contact with other British paedophiles and offered them opportunity to watch the abuse.

Ford discussed with another man setting up what they termed "pedopals vacations".

He talked about buying an internet cafe in the Philippines and renting out rooms by the hour.

Ford wrote to him "to us it's a bit of a game, but to them it's the difference between having a meal and not having a meal".

He would arrange the abuse with the children's mother and pay her money every month. The children would perform what he called "shows" for as little as 1,000 pesos (£13).

• Britons pay to see webcam sex abuse

The Philippines investigation, which began in 2012, saw British officers work alongside the Australian Federal Police and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Five of the 17 UK suspects arrested have been convicted; one will face no further action, and two are dead. Nine more are still being investigated.

Operation Endeavour has also resulted in 29 arrests in other countries, including 11 people suspected of facilitating the abuse in the Philippines.

Suspects have been identified in Australia, the US, France, Germany, Canada, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Taiwan, Denmark and Switzerland.

In the Philippines, some 15 children aged six to 15 were rescued after being identified as victims. 

Payments by customers totalling more than £37,500 were uncovered by the investigation, with relatives getting paid for abuse of the children in some instances.

The investigation began in 2012 after Northamptonshire Police carried out a routine visit at the Kettering home of registered sex offender Timothy Ford, where they found a number of indecent videos on computers and a collection of DVDs recorded from webcams. 

'Every link in chain'

  The force contacted the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) - now part of the NCA - leading to the launch of the global investigation.

Victim 'Lani' tells her story

Analysis of the digital media seized led to the identification of suspects and the child victims, and the Philippine National Police became involved.

Ford was sentenced in March last year to eight-and-a-half years in prison for his role in the case.

Detectives found records of money transfers to the parents of five children whose abuse he had paid to watch.

Timothy Ford was jailed last year for his role in the abuse.

 

Among the other Britons convicted over the Philppines abuse was Michael Eller, 68, from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, who was jailed for 14 years last December.

Thomas Owen from Merseyside was jailed in July 2013 for seven years after being convicted as a result of the investigation.

Ceop deputy director Andy Baker said: "This investigation has identified some extremely dangerous child sexual offenders who believed paying for children to be abused to order was something they could get away with. 

"Being thousands of miles away makes no difference to their guilt. In my mind they are just as responsible for the abuse of these children as the contact abusers overseas.

"Protecting the victims of abuse is our priority and that means attacking every link in the chain, from dismantling the organised groups who are motivated by profit through to targeting their customers."

(C) BBC London

Another U.S. Travel Warning for The Philippies

Washington, DC - infoZine - The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the Philippines, in particular to the Sulu Archipelago and the island of Mindanao. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated July 5, 2013, and reflects continuing threats in those areas due to terrorist and insurgent activities.

U.S. citizens should continue to exercise extreme caution if traveling to the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines. In 2013, separatist and terrorist groups increased the tempo and scale of their activities and confrontations with Philippine security forces, with increased bombings, attacks on civilians and political leaders, and battles with security forces. In September 2013, elements of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) occupied portions of the city of Zamboanga and engaged in a lengthy battle with security forces which reduced large parts of the city to rubble. The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Front (BIFF) has been particularly active in the Cotabato City area, and in the Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat provinces, where the government maintains a state of emergency and a greater police presence.

These lands in Maasim, in the Philippine province of Mindanao, are now being turned into pineapple groves, providing jobs and income to local communities. Photo courtesy of USAID

The Embassy has imposed a strict restriction on all but the most essential travel to Mindanao, and Embassy employees must receive special authorization from Embassy security officials to travel to any location in Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, including urban centers.

U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in the Philippines should review the Department of State's Country Specific Information for the Philippines link, which contains additional information about conditions throughout the country.

All U.S. citizens in the Philippines are encouraged to enroll with the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program link or at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. By enrolling, you can receive the Embassy's most recent security and safety updates during your trip. Enrolling also ensures that we can reach you, or your designated emergency points of contact, during an emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines, tel. 63-2-301-2000. The American Citizens Services (ACS) section's fax number is 63-2-301-2017, and you may reach the ACS Section by email at ACSinfoManila@state.gov. The ACS Section's website link includes consular information and the most recent messages to the U.S. citizen community in the Philippines.

U.S. citizens traveling in the region are encouraged to stay up to date on conditions across the globe by bookmarking the Bureau of Consular Affairs website link, which contains the current Travel Warnings link and Travel Alerts link as well as the Worldwide Caution link.

Foreigners in The Philippines: Please take note!

 

 

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has warned foreigners that the policy requiring an emigration clearance certificate (ECC) before they leave the country will be strictly enforced this year. 

 

Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison said Tuesday the ECC is being issued to departing foreigner nationals to prove that they have no derogatory records in the country or any accountability with other government agencies.

There are two types of ECC that can be secured at any BI satellite office in the country and airports: The ECC-A is being issued to foreigners who have tourist visas extending for more than six months. The ECC-B, on the other hand, is given to holders of immigrant and non-immigrant visas with valid alien certificate registration I-Cards. 

Immigration officials said the ECC has been a requirement for departing foreigners since the leadership of Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David but it was only now that it would be strictly implemented and monitored. 

Mison likewise warned foreigners not to procure fake ECC forms that are being offered by fixers, dubious law offices and shady travel agencies. He said an alien found in possession of spurious documents will be charged with violation of immigrations laws. 

The new directive came amid warnings about foreign nationals who are involved in illicit drug trafficking and cybercrimes.

Stronger Bonds with International Community

President Benigo Aquino sought stronger bonds with the Philippines and the international Community as they face the new year.

The President thanked the international community anew for the help they gave to Filipinos affected by calamities.

"As President, I am filled with happiness and hope, knowing full well that the New Year provides many opportunities to deepen our cooperation and strengthen the partnerships we have forget, " he said.

He added the Filipino people remember who their friends are, and will look for ways to repay those who stood by them in the most difficult times as part of "utang ng loob".

The President referred to the help from the international community to victims of last year's calamities, including the magnitude-7.2 quake that shook Central Visayas, and super typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan), which devastated Eastern Visayas and Southern Luzon.

Newly Crowned Miss International 2013

The year 2013 certainly ended on a sweet note with the crowning of Miss Philippines Bea Rose Santiago as Miss International 2013 in Japan on December 2013. During an interview with talk show host Boy Abunda in BANDILA, the model-turned beauty queen admits to undergo some lifestyle changes such as eating healthier meals and excercising almost every day.

Allow me to quote Bea:

"The whole world saw how my country suffered. One by one other countries helped. You have opened my heart and eyes on what we can do to help each other. I will uphold international camaraderie to sustain the spirit of sympathy and to continually share the message of hope. I believe that whatever calamity may come to us , as long as we have each other there will be hope!"

Very well said, Miss International 2013!

BI to Require Foreigners to Report Personally

Year after year the same procedere: Annual report for foreigners staying in the Philippines permanently. I have no problem with it.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is requiring all foreign nationals to report in person as a requirement for their continued stay in the country.

In the recent memorandum circular signed my Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison, foreign nationals staying in the Philippines are required to appear in person at the BI offices within the first 60 calender days of 2014.

Foreign nationals are asked to bring their ACR-card or paper-based ACR and accomplish an application form that can be downloaded from www.immigration.gov.ph or personally get a copy from any BI offices nationwide.

Mison said that foreign nationals  who are under 14 years of age or about 65 years old, imbecile, staying in a penal institution or confined in a hospital are not required to appear in person but those who can show sufficient proof of physical incapability to report in person can likewise send a representative to apply. 

Important: Application forms should be duly notarized before the heads of departments and divions of the BI.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! FROHES NEUES JAHR 2014!

"Shooting stars" from the brilliant Quadrantid meteor are kicking off a new year of skywatching for Filipinos.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Acting Administrator Dr. Vicente Malano, the annual Quadrantid meteor show will be active from Jan.1 to Jan. 7.

He said the observation of its peak activity is Jan. 3-4 in which meteors or "falling stars" can be seen at the rate of at least 40 meteros per hour. The meteor shower will appear to radidate from the constellation of Bootes, which is below the Big Dipper constellation, in the northeast horizon.

Malano explained that the meteor shower hits the Earth's atmosphere at the rate of about 40 kilometers per second!

Good luck with your skywatching!