Alleba Politics

Ces Drilon’s abductors have demanded that the ransom of 15 million be paid at lunchtime today. Then, they extended the deadline to “indefinitely.”
With the extension is a promise not to harm Drilon and the others kidnapped with her, Jimmy Encarnacion, and Octavio Dinampo.

What does “indefinitely” mean for the abductors? Does it mean they’ll wait until Drilon’s family will pay? Does it mean they will wait until they longer have patience? What then if Drilon’s family refuse to pay the ransom indefinitely?

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Perhaps one of the more shocking events during the “Makati stand-off”, is the arrest of countless journalists, including the attempted arrests of popular TV news reporters Pinky Webb, Ces Drilon, and Sandra Aguinaldo. While I buy the argument that it was the police’s responsibility to clear the area and take everyone for “processing,” I don’t think that they did it properly and legally. Rather, (coupled with the declaration of a curfew) it seemed like Martial Law all over again.

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1) Trillanes, Lim, Guingona, et all being escorted by jail guards on their way to having a mutiny.

2) Trillanes, et al having sympathizers.

3) Mutineers’ supporters’ website being hosted by BraveHosting.

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I woke up late and went straight to work. I’ve been getting my news updates via Twitter, Inquirer.net, and ABS-CBNNews.com, and various blogs. Although it’s not supposed to be laughing matter, the Magdalo mutiny has been reduced to a comedy of epic proportions.

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Enough is enough. This was a staged coup d’ etat, uprising, mutiny, whatever you would like to call it. One thing is for sure… Antonio Trillanes IV, Danilo Lim, and their co-conspirators must rot in jail.

In their editorial today (July 17, 2007) the Philippine Daily Inquirer describes the Human Security Act of 2007 (HSA) as a scary law:

Its enforcement could be twisted to serve the political ends of the enforcers. Given the records of the principal enforcers — Acting Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo — there is reason to be afraid that abuses would be committed in its enforcement.

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Today, the Human Security Act of 2007 (HSA) takes into effect. HSA was formerly known as the Anti-Terrorism Bill which was vehemently protested by various personalities and organizations.

Among others, HSA allows wire-tapping:

SEC. 7. Surveillance of Suspects and Interception and Recording of Communications. – The provisions of Republic Act No. 4200 (Anti-wire Tapping Law) to the contrary notwithstanding, a police or law enforcement official and the members of his team may, upon a written order of the Court of Appeals, listen to, intercept and record, with the use of any mode, form, kind or type of electronic or other surveillance equipment or intercepting and tracking devices, or with the use of any other suitable ways and means for that purpose, any communication, message, conversation, discussion, or spoken or written words between members of a judicially declared and outlawed terrorist organization, association, or group of persons or of any person charged with or suspected of the crime of terrorism or conspiracy to commit terrorism.

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Despite pressure from Malacañang, Region XI Peace and Order Chair Rodrigo Duterte (also Mayor of Davao City) has strongly opposed the proposal to hold Balikatan war exercises in the Davao Region. Duterte asserts that such exercises will only invite terrorists attacks on one of the most peaceful regions in Mindanao.

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A day after the May 15 elections, the Philippine Daily Inquirer headline announced that elections were not held in several towns in Lanao del Sur. Today, troops were deployed to secure the the “special elections” to be held tomorrow in 13 towns in the province.

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Sunstar Davao reports that the Dabawenyos have chosen Genuine Opposition (GO) senatorial candidates over those of Team Unity (TU). Curiously, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s support of TU didn’t translate into votes. There is no doubt that Duterte is very influential in the city as reflected in the results of the Davao City local elections results. But this time, his influence and support weren’t enough to deliver the goods.

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