[SeaGypsy]

Why 1994? More like since the Franco American war.

[Tanada]

Why 1994? More like since the Franco American war.

I think you meant to say Spanish American war when we seized the Philippines? Other than a few skirmishes at sea we have never been at war with France after we declared independence from the UK.

[SeaGypsy]

Correct Tanada, my mistake. Re Ralphys post the only thing changed in 1992 was the non renewal of American base leases, mainly Subic Bay & Clark Airfield. This decision had been made in the Constitutional rewrite of 1987, under Corazon Aquino. Since then there have been no independent American bases in the Philippines, instead there have been arrangements under the 'Joint Forces Agreement'- which Duterte has threatened to cancel or suspend numerous times since becoming President & white washing Chinese occupation of the shoals.

[ralfy]

The Philippines was not independent during the Spanish-American war and likely did not involve China trying to take control of the South China Sea. That started during the late 1980s, and the Philippines started warning the U.S. during the mid-1990s.

[Tanada]

The Philippines was not independent during the Spanish-American war and likely did not involve China trying to take control of the South China Sea. That started during the late 1980s, and the Philippines started warning the U.S. during the mid-1990s.

Depends on how you define independent doesn't it? The native population celebrated when the Spanish left and considered themselves independent. Then the US Army and the carpetbagger's arrived from the USA and took over. The resulting combat involved a lot of guerilla actions against the 'American Colonizers' and took over 2 years before it was suppressed enough to declare 'peace'.

car·pet·bag·ger
ˈkärpətˌbaɡər/
noun derogatory

a person perceived as an unscrupulous opportunist.
"the organization is rife with carpetbaggers"

[SeaGypsy]

I can't make sense of Ralphys blather either, Red Horse inspired perhaps? Arguing for the sake of it. Realistically Duterte has achieved nothing positive. 7000+ drug murders & drugs are still plentiful. Chinese occupied shoals now blatantly militarised. Allies p'd off all over. Human rights in the toilet. Staying popular by bluff & bluster.

[ralfy]

The Philippines was not independent during the Spanish-American war and likely did not involve China trying to take control of the South China Sea. That started during the late 1980s, and the Philippines started warning the U.S. during the mid-1990s.

Depends on how you define independent doesn't it? The native population celebrated when the Spanish left and considered themselves independent. Then the US Army and the carpetbagger's arrived from the USA and took over. The resulting combat involved a lot of guerilla actions against the 'American Colonizers' and took over 2 years before it was suppressed enough to declare 'peace'.

car·pet·bag·ger
ˈkärpətˌbaɡər/
noun derogatory

a person perceived as an unscrupulous opportunist.
"the organization is rife with carpetbaggers"

They considered themselves independent, but they were not because they were colonized in turn by the U.S. Later, the U.S. allowed for the formation of a Commonwealth government leading to independence, and interrupted by WW2.

The Chinese began engaging in the South China seas around four decades after that. That's why one needs to look at the mid-1990s and not much earlier.

[vox_mundi]

Duterte Declares Martial Law As Bloodshed Breaks Out In Marawi City

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law for 60 days on the island of Mindanao, after clashes between the army and militants linked to so-called Islamic State (IS).

Gunfire erupted between Philippine security forces and militants in Marawi City, a city of about 200,000 people in Mindanao, in the mid-afternoon Tuesday. By the time the sun had set on the small southern city, President Rodrigo Duterte had declared martial law in the region and vowed to end his diplomatic trip to Moscow early.

In the hours between, violence and confusion consumed the community, as armed men linked with the Maute Group occupied the Amai Pakpak Medical Center and several other major buildings. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who is in Moscow with Duterte, told a news conference that militants even set fire to some of those buildings — including the city's jail, a local Catholic church and Dansalan college.

Philippine authorities assert the situation is under control — though they have told residents in Marawi City to remain indoors and summoned reinforcements from neighboring regions to redouble their efforts to reclaim the city Wednesday morning.

For now, "the whole of Marawi City is blacked out," Lorenzana said. "There is no light and there are Maute snipers all around." He noted that militants still occupy a central street in the city.

Martial law allows the use of the military to enforce law and the detention of people without charge for long periods.

[ralfy]

"Non-aligned"

https://opinion.inquirer.net/104241/non-aligned

[Tanada]

Philippine president cancels $234M deal for Canadian-made helicopters: ’There is always a condition attached’

'I am sure Canada is a bright boy. But the terrorists, ISIS, are contaminating the locals. If I cannot use the gunships, the helicopters, then I might as well surrender'

Rodrigo Duterte, the president of the Philippines, has ordered the country’s military to cancel a $234 million deal to buy Canadian-built combat helicopters.

Duterte said Friday that equipment bought by the military needs to be free of any restrictions since it could be used in fighting insurgents.

Duterte said in the future the Philippine military will not buy its equipment from either Canada or the U.S.

“So from here on now, I am directing the armed forces of the Philippines since most of the guns, bullets and whatever, weapons of war … invariably could be used against the rebels and the terrorists,” he told journalists in Davao City on Friday. “Do not buy any more from Canada. Or from the United States, because there is always a condition attached.”

He added, “I am sure Canada is a bright boy. But the terrorists, ISIS, are contaminating the locals. And if I cannot use the gunships, the helicopters, then I might as well surrender this government to them.

“I do not question your logic. Your logic is your logic. My logic is mine. It’s based on the reality on the ground.”

The decision sparked a surprisingly sharp response from the Trudeau government, which only a few days earlier had been defending the deal.

“The president’s troubling comments only underscores the confusion and contradictions that have emerged recently on the intended end use of the helicopters,” International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said in a statement.

“That is precisely why I ordered a review and that process will continue.”

The Canadian Commercial Corporation, a government agency, brokered a deal to supply 16 Bell 412 helicopters to the Philippine military. The helicopters were to be built at Bell’s plant in Mirabel, Que.

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said in Saguenay, Que., that he was disappointed with word of the cancelled contract, in particular for employees who he said must be worried at the news.

Couilllard said the Mirabel installation was a successful operation that could continue to count on the province’s support.

Human rights advocates had expressed disbelief that Canada was selling the aircraft to the Philippines considering the country’s poor human rights record and its controversial leader Duterte.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also raised concerns about extrajudicial killings while visiting the country in November, specifically those related to Duterte’s violent crackdown on illegal drugs.

The international criminal court revealed Thursday it had launched an initial inquiry into allegations of crimes against humanity committed by Duterte. The allegations relate to extrajudicial executions committed during the president’s war on drugs, which has killed thousands.

The Liberal government, however, says it was unaware that the helicopters were going to be used for military operations. It stated the original purpose of the aircraft was for search and rescue and disaster relief. Liberal sources blamed the previous Conservative government for initiating the deal. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland indicated she was ready the block the sale if needed.

But the Philippine government never hide its intention to use the Canadian-built helicopters in military operations, even going as far as displaying the first batch of those choppers armed with machine guns during an official ceremony in 2015 attended by Canada’s ambassador to that southeast Asian country.

Philippines Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla, military chief of plans, told journalists this week in Manila that the aircraft “will be used for the military’s internal security operations.”

It was that statement that prompted the Liberals to order a review of the deal.

The Philippine military is keen to boost its capabilities as it fights Communist insurgents and Islamic extremists. It says it would use the Canadian helicopters to transport and supply troops and ferry wounded soldiers out danger. Other uses would be for disaster relief.

Last summer the Philippine air force used its older combat utility helicopters during intense fighting in the city of Marawi, a predominately Muslim city.

LINK

[Tanada]

Bicol Region to produce 'Golden Rice' seeds, grains

GOLDEN RICE. Dr. Victoria Lapitan, DA-PhilRice Ligao station director, says on Tuesday (June 7, 2022) Catanduanes is one of the seven provinces in the country selected as priority areas for the Golden Rice program. She assured the public that Golden Rice is as safe for consumption as ordinary rice with the added benefit of beta-carotene in the grains.

LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute in Bicol (DA-PhilRice-5) will start the production of seeds and grains of "Golden Rice", a palay variety developed by the International Rice Research Institute in the province of Catanduanes.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Dr. Victoria Lapitan, DA-PhilRice Ligao town station director, said Catanduanes is one of the seven pilot provinces selected in the country to become priority areas of the Golden Rice program.

"For Luzon, we have Quirino and Catanduanes. For Visayas, we have Antique and Western Samar, and for Mindanao, we have Agusan Del Sur, Lanao Del Norte and Maguindanao," Lapitan said.

She said while Catanduanes is a rice surplus-producing province, the 2015 updating survey of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute showed that malnutrition continues to be a severe problem in the province.

“Golden Rice is rich in Vitamin A that it could address the Vitamin A deficiency that leads to malnutrition," she added.

Lapitan said they aim to ensure the availability, affordability, and accessibility of safe and nutritious rice to all Filipinos at all times.

The PhilRice-5, she added, attends to the needs of both Regions 5 (Bicol) and 8 (Eastern Visayas).

She said identified farmer cooperatives from the towns of Virac and Viga in Catanduanes will receive Golden Rice for free.

“Selected farmers from towns of Viga and Virac are set to plant Golden Rice this wet season, they are identified for grain production that will be planted on two hectares. Forty kilos of Golden Rice seeds will be planted on a hectare of rice land and during harvest time when milled, rice will be available to the identified target communities,” Lapitan said.

She noted that Golden Rice is planted like the other ordinary rice and will only take 108 to 110 days to be harvested.

"One hectare of irrigated land planted with Golden Rice will have a yield of about 3.5 tons of palay. So for Catanduanes, we are expecting at least 7 tons of palay that will be milled," she said.

Seed production will be supervised by PhilRice in Ligao and Samar stations in 87 hectares of rice farms that will be available for other farmers.

"The branch station will also conduct capacity building, and oversee monitoring and evaluation in Catanduanes to ensure the success of the pilot project," Lapitan said.

PhilRice said when consumed as part of the daily diet, Golden Rice can give young children 30-50 percent of their estimated average requirement of Vitamin A.

The addition of beta-carotene in its grains--which is converted by the human body as needed--is intended to address Vitamin A deficiency that can lead to a weak immune system, impaired cognitive development, and poor eyesight.

Lapitan assured the public that Golden Rice is as safe for consumption as ordinary rice with the added benefit of beta-carotene in the grains. (PNA)

Government Press Release