February 17 2009: Shootout or Rubout?

Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? We know that our laws here in the Philippines are only good for 2 months or 2 weeks.

Last February 17, 2009, 3 "alleged" carnappers were killed somewhere near NIA road - EDSA. Authorities said that they pursued the said Honda Civic.

Fortunately (unfortunately for the PNP), ABS-CBN got a footage of the actual "clearing operations" after the chase. I have yet to find a copy of the video for you to view clearly of what happened but as of the moment, I can narrate to you what I saw in TV Patrol last night. It was disturbing and at the same time, shocking because we do not know if they were really criminals! How can they defend themselves now??

Here is what I saw on the news...

-Police cars rushing down the hi-way blocking the road and other police vehicles closing up on the honda civic
-The said honda civic (AED-???) was parked orderly, meaning, they pulled over as you can see in the photo above.
-Before the police forces opened the rear right door of the car, The rear windshield was already full of bullet holes.
- The one who opened the door was not in uniform carrying a heavy firearm. (correct me if I am wrong)
- One of the operatives pulled out a yet defenseless victim as you can see in the video. Defenseless and motionless in a sense that when the operative pulled him out, he looked like a doll taking the shape of the car.
- The operative shot him again. (to make sure he is dead?)

Follow-up news said that, the police shot him again because he was still moving.

There might be some people that will rejoice because this is one carnapper gang less in the Philippines but, what if they were innocent? If the police are 100% sure that they are indeed carnappers, I would be praising them now. The problem is, they don't recognize some of them which makes it scary.

This is what I am thinking. What if they kidnapped someone? The victim would have been also killed!! I mean, kidnappers will also flee when flagged down, right?

Going back, do you think the father and the daughter in the Crosswind SUV in the incident in Paranaque are criminals??

This is yet another shootout or rubout incident to be added to the list that will be unsolved because this involves police forces. Sad.

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Law: Is EO 712 legal? (Executive Order 712)

SLEx Traffic.
Photo From: http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/8662/traffic1ic1.jpg

According to Makati Mayor Binay, it is not. But to others, they just followed the orders of the President.

Last March 11,2008, Transport groups agreed to stop their strike and return to the roads after a meeting with government transport officials, radio dzBB reported.

Pending the review by DOTC of the questioned orders, rules and regulations, Mrs Arroyo, through EO 712, directed the Department of Interior and Local Government to advise local government units to suspend:

- the establishment and operations of new and existing transport terminals that charge fees and require compulsory use by public utilityvehicles.

- the enforcement of re-routing schemes that violate the authorized routes provided in the franchise of PUVs;

- the issuance of new tricycle franchises;

- the increase in local fees and charges applicable to public transportation;

- the implementation of local programs, projects, and ordinances that have impact on the cost of operations of public utility vehicles without first coordinating and getting the approval of the DOTC to ensure that these programs, projects and ordinances do not prejudice public interest by way of higher transport fares.

The President also ordered the DOTC to establish a National Land Transport Policy framework, which shall facilitate the modernization of the land transport industry through the promotion of utility services which are environment-friendly and provide assistance to the transport sector through lease-to-own programs, technical assistance, subsidies and the encouragement of the use of alternative fuels and renewable energy.

The EO 712 also paved the way for the implementation of a single ticketing system in Metro Manila in accordance with Republic Act 7924.

The DILG was also directed to establish and implement uniform track ban hours.

Fernando insisted that EO 712 is valid and legal and that the MMDA should enforce the single ticketing system for the issuance of traffic citation tickets to traffic violators.

He said that the authority of the MMDA to enforce the scheme is provided for under RA 7924, which created the MMDA.

He said that contrary to the assertion of those opposed to the scheme, the MMDA law superseded the Local Government Code of 1991 since RA7924 was signed in 1995.

Fernando said he respects the rights of the LGUs to question the legality of EO 712 before the court but he added that the MMDA will pursue implement it.

But eight local chief executives out of the 17 Metro Manila mayors have agreed to reject President’s Arroyo’s EO 712.

This decision was reached on Wednesday during a meeting called by Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.

Binay said that the MMDA has “no legislative power” to enforce the single traffic ticketing system.

News Sources:
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February 29 - Ayala Avenue, Interfaith Rally Photos (Are you included here? find iyourself now!)

Can you see yourself in the crowd? Can you find yourself? February 29,2008 Interfaith rally help at Ayala Avenue, Makai City Philippines. Suggested Readiing.> For more Philippine News.




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Erap, Eligible to Run in 2010

Joseph Estrada is eligible to run for the 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections. Raul Goco, a former solicitor general said that, Estrada did not finish his 6 year term which ended January 20, 2001. Estrada added that he left the palace to prevent blood-shed.

Goco asked Estrada to answer on that matter, Estrada told Raul Goco that he has yet no plans of running in 2010. “It is not easy to answer you at this time. But my objective right now is to unite the opposition to ensure the opposition’s victory in 2010," according to Estrada.

Estrada added, "Whoever will have the highest rating in the surveys, he or she will be the presidential candidate I will support in 2010."

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Spratly's war

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said that the Philippines should tighten its security in islands being claimed by the country in the disputed Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea.

Santiago issued the statement that echoed the reaction made by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) over Taiwanese president Chen Shui-bian visit to an island being claimed by Taiwan.

“Hindi maganda iyon dahil nagtatawag pansin s’ya...dito sa away ng mga bansa tungkol sa Spratly island. Ano kaya ang pakiramdaman naman nila kung ipadala naman natin 'yung presidente natin doon at magtuturo s'ya doon sa Spratly," said the Senate's foreign relations committee chief.

(It’s not good because he’s calling more attention to the dispute of several countries over Spratly island. How would Taiwan feel if we send our president to the island?)

Aside from heightened security, Santiago said it is about time that a law be passed to include the Spratlys inside the Philippine archipelagic lines.

"Ang Spratly at Kalayaan Islands ay napakalapit ‘yan sa ating archipelagic beltlines kaya napakatibay din ang ating kausa na sabihin na tayong may-ari n’yan at ang langis sa ilalim n’yan," she said.

(The Spratly and Kalayaan islands are located nearest to our archipelagic beltlines. That is why we have a strong cause to say that we own the island and the oil beneath them.)

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