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Month: August 2007

Radio snafu doomed Marines, probe shows

Published by Ellen on August 2, 2007

Wrong frequency forced gunships, bomber to hold fire

by Ellen Tordesillas, Victor Reyes and Raymond Africa
Malaya

Read this story in the Inquirer.

The military investigation on the Basilan ambush last July 10 has found that “miscommunication” led to the failure of aerial support for the embattled Marine soldiers.

A source privy to the investigation said the affidavit of a radioman to Maj. Nestor Marcelino, operations officer of Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) 8, revealed “there was ‘no contact’ with the aircraft because the First Marine Brigade gave the wrong frequency to WestMinCom (Western Mindanao Command) which was later transmitted to the pilots.”

The battle which started at 10 a.m. and lasted until 6 p.m. resulted in the death of 14 Marines, 10 of them beheaded later.

Continue readingRadio snafu doomed Marines, probe shows

Wahab Akbar

Published by Ellen on August 2, 2007

Update: Not-so-great Basilan solon laments link to atrocities

Thanks to Newsbreak for posting the speech of Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar last Tuesday.

I’m recalling this story told to me by a high-ranking military officer involved in securing the release of the Sipadan hostages during the term of President Estrada.

Robert Aventajado, personal representative of Estrada for the negotiation on the hostages, was to go up to the lair of the Abu Sayyaf in the mountains for a meeting with the leaders, Abu Sabaya and company.

Continue readingWahab Akbar

Palace mulls crisis powers for Arroyo

Published by Ellen on August 1, 2007

Update: Solons cross party lines in rejecting extra powers

Arroyo emergency powers won’t solve drought- green group

The looming energy crisis brought about by the extended dry spell might push Malacañang to ask Congress to grant special powers to President Arroyo, ABS-CBN News reported Wednesday.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President would need an emergency prerogative to procure fuel for power plants.

“[Special powers are needed to authorize] for example, the acquisition of materials, resources, equipment without bidding,” Ermita said.

Continue readingPalace mulls crisis powers for Arroyo

Magtiyong garapal

Published by Ellen on August 1, 2007

Mukhang naghahanda na itong mga Arroyo ng kanilang exit, kung saka-sakaling hindi maipilit ni Gloria Arroyo ang kanyang sarili sa sambayanang Pilipino habambuhay.

Kaya naman kinurner nila ang mahalagang kumite sa House of Representatives na may kinalaman sa enerhiya at kapaligiran. Nakuha ni Mikey Arroyo, congressman ng Pampanga, ang chairmanship ng energy committee at ang kanyang tiyo, si Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo ay nakuha ang chairmanship ng committee on natural resources.

Tama lang ang pagbatikos ni Bayan Muna Teddy Casiño ng ganitong garapalan. Unang-una ano ba ang qualifications nitong dalawang Arroyo mamuno ng napaka-mahalaga na mga kumite na ito. Maliban sa magaling sa mga bagay na maaring mapagkwartahan.

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Mikey, Iggy Arroyo corner energy related committees

Published by Ellen on August 1, 2007

No wonder the upright Popo Lotilla was shunted out of the Department of Energy.

by Wendell Vigilia

All in the family.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño has questioned the appointment of two Arroyos as chairmen of powerful committees at the House, saying this could betray the legislative duty of check and balance.

During the plenary session on Monday night, Casiño questioned the assignments of Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo (Pampanga) as chair of the committee on energy and his uncle Rep. Ignacio (Iggy) Arroyo (Negros Occidental) as chair of the committee on natural resources.

Continue readingMikey, Iggy Arroyo corner energy related committees

Out of whack

Published by Ellen on July 31, 2007

It was not only very wrong. It was stupid.

The argument by the Department of Justice which was upheld by Judge Oscar Pimentel’s pitting the more than 11 million who voted for detained Antonio Trillanes IV for senator against 85 million Filipinos was simply out of whack.

The exact quote by DOJ prosecutors is: “As the prosecuting arm of the government, it’s shield and sword of law and order represents not only the 11,138,067 voters who voted for him but the People of the Philippines, with all its 85 million citizens and counting.”

Continue readingOut of whack