Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Joe America is alive and well, guys

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Joe has just sent me the following message through his e-mail,  since I e-mailed him eons ago:

“We are fine. No services. Web pages won’t load still. Kinda shut me up. :)

More when we are connected.”

We’re all waiting for your next post, Joe. And tell us if you need any of our help.

I kinda miss you, Joe.

I need someone to quarrel with – Raissa

Comments

  4. One of the men from Village 88 sent his children back to Biliran after their Barangay was wiped out by Yolanda.

    It was an unexpected happening for 88…that fateful day of Novemer 8.

    • TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – The coastal Village 88 of San Jose, Tacloban City is where at least a thousand died of a population of 11, 000, after typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) swept into the Visayas.

      This documentary tells the story of the men of Timex compound, Village 88. Their narratives are the same as many others in Village 88 and in many villages across Tacloban City, men and women who sleep in the dark surrounded by the bodies of friends and the ghosts of family.

      Eighty-eight is the interwining narrative of three fathers: Ramil Navarro, who stayed home with his wife and young daughter, the same as his brother-in-law Edwardo Aboganda, and their neighbor William Cabuquin, who sent his children away but gave in when his wife asked to stay.

      (More on the rappler site supplied above)

  7. OFF TOPIC…….. Philippines Aid Scandal by Simon Parry, December 8, 2013, Mail on Sunday

    Food Flown from Britain ends up in shops hundreds of miles from typhoon

    Crucial aid sent from Britain to help the victims of typhoon-ravaged areas of the Philippines is being siphoned off and sold for profit by corrupt local officials.

    Emergency supplies delivered by military helicopters have turned up on the shelves of shops in affluent districts of the capital of Manila – hundreds of miles from the disaster zone.

    And shelter equipment purchased using British donations has been locked up in government warehouses and stockpiled alongside rice and other food intended for victims of last month’s catastrophe, The Mail on Sunday has learned.

    Alarming evidence of the thefts has been provided by expat Keb Darge, 56, who says he faces death threats for stopping local officials stealing aid in Eastern Samar,one of the worst- hit areas.Mr Darge’s wife , Edith, has lost 15 members of her family when the storm struck their village of Hernani. Since then the couple have offered shelter and fed families in their home, which is solidly built and powered by a generator. Mr Darge has also searched for missing friends and cleared bodies from flooded areas.

    And Mr Darge’s allegations of corruption were backed up by a Japaneses aid worker, Shiratori Koti, who said local administrators were diverting goods to their homes.

    There are also concerns that supplies are simply being wasted. Mr Darge described finding 800 beefburgers – apparently flown in from the US aircrqaft George Washington – dumped by the roadside.
    …………………………………………
    It’s so unbelievable how some local officials of the worst – hit areas of the typhoon are so callous, exhibiting no conscience at all, so cold hearted, so lacking of compassion to the pains, sufferings, severe starvation being endured by the victims of the typhoon. I’m so shell – shocked. These bloody hell kind of politicians should be thoroughly investigated by Team PNoy. If found guilty, shot them outrightly. By depriving the victims of the necessary food and shelter equipment, they are causing unaccountable deaths / more deaths. these politicians lives should be also snuffed out , the way they snuffed out the lives of some victims of the typhoon.

      • This is not new news. What would be surprising will be the absence of relief goods ib store shelves.

        Shameful as it is, immoral Filipinos abound beginning with Enrile(he is the poster boy of selfishness). They only think of their personal interest.

        Until enactment of a tough deterrent law like lifetime jail or death to punish looters, hoarders and sellers of relief good, problem will remain unabated or a ritual post disaster.

        Of course, such law could not be legislated because the lawmakers themselves are the primary violators. Why should the Filipinos be ashamed when they voted these people to run their government? Duh!

        It’s always fun in the Philippines even in times of calamities

        He he he!

    • @letlet,

      before we react can we at least verify this info? Where are the goods being sold? Can an enterprising journalist dig up this matter and trace back how the “donated” goods ended up in the stores? Can netizens help in the uncovering of the whole story?

      If true the news story is really embarrassing. But it will be tragic if we Filipinos, acting as a intelligent people, can not do anything about it.

    • Legarda: Increase Preparedness, Reduce Disasters

      Senator Loren Legarda today reiterated the need to shift from reactive efforts to proactive strategies in strengthening the country’s defenses against disasters and climate change.

      Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Climate Change and on Environment and Natural Resources, reiterated her call for greater focus on disaster prevention following an article by Joe America titled, “The Philippines: The Most Dangerous Land on the Planet”, which was posted on news websites.

    • GMA News bannered Joe America’s blog post “The Philippines: The most dangerous land on the planet” with this:

      Expat blogger Joe America puts some perspective on the Bohol and Cebu quake, opining that the battle against natural disasters is a question of prepardeness and being better equipped than the enemy: “This is civil defense. And we ought to use a military approach.”

      • Preventive measures have been my advocacy all along to reduce casualties.
        cynical and positively true:
        Filipinos are stupendously stubborn, suspicious and untrusting of government officials and police especially those watching over their properties.

        Solution: Enact legislation on mandatory evacuation for signal #4 and above, punishable by incarceration of violators or those refusing to be evacuated and death by firing squad for looters on properties of evacuees.

        Latter must be enforced since incarceration is not a deterrent for looters during times of calamities. it’s also a guarantee to businessmen that justice is swift and tough.

        Added benefit is reducing the population by ridding scumbags taking advantage of the crisis. He he he

      • preparedness is common sense for the public. but looting is common sense for lawmakers. preparedness and looting are mutually exclusive.