US says drug rings using OFWs as couriers

Found this interesting post for January 4, 2011 in the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines – Home.

 

MANILA, Philippines—Sophisticated transnational drug-trafficking syndicates—including a West African group using overseas Filipino workers as couriers—remain the biggest challenge to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and other agencies involved in the campaign against illegal drugs, according to a report from the US State Department.

From only three in 2008, the number of foreign-based drug organizations operating in the Philippines has increased to nine, according to the department’s 2010 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report.

“The West African drugs syndicate continues to infiltrate the Philippines with their operations. There is an increase in the recruitment of OFWs to smuggle cocaine and heroin in and out of the country,” said the report which was posted on the website of the US embassy in Manila.

These drug couriers “smuggle and transport illegal drugs to China, Malaysia and Vietnam. Several Filipinos, mostly women, are jailed abroad for drug trafficking and face severe prison sentences, including the death penalty in countries such as China,” it also said.

Billion-dollar industry

The report noted that although the Philippines is not a regional financial center, the illegal drug trade in the country has evolved into a billion-dollar industry, valued at over $8.4 billion (about P368.2 billion) a year.

It said the illegal drug industry here is fueled by foreign-organized criminal activities from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan; insurgency groups that partially fund their activities through local crime and the trafficking of narcotics and arms, engaging in money laundering through ties to organized crime; and the proceeds of official or bureaucratic corruption which are also a source of laundered funds.

“Wholesale quantities of crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as shabu) are smuggled into the Philippines and continues to be manufactured clandestinely in the country,” the State Department said.

“Precursor chemicals are smuggled into the country from China, India and Taiwan through international airports, seaports, the mails, as well as via large unpatrolled expanses of the Philippine coastline,” it said.

PH transshipment point

Traffickers take advantage of the Philippines’ long and porous maritime borders to use the country as a transit point for high-grade cocaine and heroin shipments, primarily originating from India and Pakistan, the report said.

Chinese and Taiwanese remain the most influential foreign drug-trafficking groups in the Philippines and control domestic methamphetamine production, the State Department said.

Their chemists continue to establish clandestine laboratories in the Philippines for the manufacture of methamphetamine, it said.

“These traffickers typically produce methamphetamine in relatively small-scale clandestine meth labs commonly referred to as ‘kitchen-type’ labs, which more easily avoid detection by law enforcement authorities,” it said.

Shabu “ranks first in availability and remains the primary drug of choice in the Philippines,” where approximately 95 percent of arrested drug users are addicted to the illegal drug.

According to the 2009 United Nations World Drug Report, the Philippines “ranks fifth in the world in terms of methamphetamine hydrochloride seizures in the last 10 years and has remained a significant source of high-potency crystalline methamphetamine used both domestically and exported to locations in East and Southeast Asia and Oceania.”

The Philippines is also a primary source of shabu for Hawaii and Guam, said the US State Department.

But it noted that “intensified nationwide counter-narcotics operations by Philippine law enforcement agencies have apparently contributed to a reduction in drug supply, inasmuch as drug prices have been erratic in areas of increased enforcement.”

Law enforcement efforts

The Philippine government was cited for making anti-narcotics law enforcement one of its top priorities, with law enforcement agencies such as PDEA, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Customs actively pursuing counter-narcotics enforcement operations.

But though each agency is diligent in its efforts to carry out its mission, “their efforts are hampered by a lack of inter-agency cooperation at higher levels. Severe budgetary constraints also restrict operations and training,” it said.

PDEA, for instance, “remains too small to address the entire nation’s problems with the trafficking and sale of illicit drugs. It currently relies on other agencies for personnel assistance.”

“However, PDEA has established stronger regulatory guidelines and practices, and if provided necessary resources, should continue to develop into an effective drug enforcement agency,” it said.

The PNP’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force “has been an effective drug law enforcement unit and scored several successes in 2009,” according to the State Department.

NBI’s small role

Compared with the PDEA and PNP, the NBI “has played a smaller role in drug enforcement due to its very limited manpower and multi-mission focus. However, its investigative and technical expertise is vital to the overall Philippine counter-narcotics efforts, especially in more complex investigations,” the US agency said.

The State Department said Washington plans to continue working with the Philippine government in the “training of anti-narcotics personnel, intelligence-gathering and infrastructure development.”

“Strengthening bilateral counter-narcotics relationship serves the national interests of both the US and the Philippines,” it added. –Jerry E. Esplanada, Philippine Daily Inquirer

 

2010 in review

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

The average container ship can carry about 4,500 containers. This blog was viewed about 16,000 times in 2010. If each view were a shipping container, your blog would have filled about 4 fully loaded ships.

 

In 2010, there were 36 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 263 posts. There were 147 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 7mb. That’s about 3 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was August 13th with 400 views. The most popular post that day was Perseid Meteor Shower Tonight!.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were en.wordpress.com, facebook.com, images.yandex.ru, comeyoumastersofwar.wordpress.com, and search.aol.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for 2012 end of the world, stage design, eid al fitr, concert stage design, and perseid meteor shower.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

Perseid Meteor Shower Tonight! August 2009

2

7 reasons the world will end in 2012- is this true?? August 2008

3

Behind the Scene Heroes June 2009

4

Eid Al Fitr is National Non-working Holiday September 2009

5

TWO MOONS on 27th August August 2008
1 comment

 

Unsung Heroes: Doctors and Nurses in Uniform

Christmases and New Years have always been the same through the years: the happy holiday shopping, jolly people everywhere, yummy food here and there, fireworks, and the gory news next day. Because of this, our nurses and doctors can’t enjoy the holidays just like any of us. They are ‘on floor’ all throughout the time while the rest of us enjoy the holidays. They are ready in doctors’ or nursing uniforms, waiting for the worst.

In some hospice, administrators will also try to make a little variation in respect to the holidays by simply allowing lighter apparel. Some allows their personnel to use the nursing scrub top only while others will go as far as ordering a new set of hospital uniform scrubs.

Some professional medical practitioners also allow their profession to jive with the holiday by getting new custom pairs of medical scrubs. This way, even with the worry of having another gory emergency rooms after the holidays, they too have their own little way of sharing the happy season with the rest of us!

 

Unsolved deaths due to poor justice system: UN

from : Trade Union Congress of the Philippines – Home.

Unsolved deaths due to poor justice system: UN

November 25, 2010

FAILURE TO prosecute perpetrators behind media killings and a weak justice system are reasons violence against journalist persists in the country, making it the most dangerous place for media workers in the world, an official of the United Nations (UN) said.

“Every time there’s an act of violence against a journalist that is not investigated is an invitation for more acts to occur,” Frank La Rue, UN special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, told a group of Asian journalists during a forum at the Ateneo de Manila University Tuesday, the first anniversary of the so-called Maguindanao massace

Media watchdog Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) has recorded 175 cases of journalist killed since democracy was restored in the country in 1986.

In the same event, Rowena C. Paraan, executive officer of the International Federation of Journalists and National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) safety officer, said only seven cases of media deaths have been solved.

The closed cases, she added, only resulted in the conviction of assassins and not the masterminds.

Mr. La Rue noted rising incidents of violence against journalists around the world, wherein the Philippines topped the list following the massacre of 32 media workers in Maguindanao province on Nov. 23, 2009.

The media workers covered a group that would file nomination papers of then Buluan vice-mayor Esmael G. Mangudadatu for governor. He was up against then Datu Unsay mayor Andal U. Ampatuan, Jr., the principal suspect.

“Every time a journalist is attacked, democracy is also being attacked. In my report this October, I mentioned the importance of the protection of the journalists around the world in any situation and in any country,” he said.

Describing media killings in the Philippine as “very tragic,” Mr. La Rue added: “Every journalist is a servant of the population because he or she is transferring information to the public. Every journalist deserves to be protected by the state, and every case of violence needs to be investigated and punished.”

CMFR’s Melinda Quintos de Jesus, also speaking in the same forum, said the trend of media killing is alarming.

“Because no one gets punished, there can be no solution and the number of the fallen increases. And statistics have a way of weakening the political will for reform and mute the anger over the state of things,” she said.

For her part, Justice Secretary Leila M. de Lima assured journalists that media killings will be handled properly under the Aquino administration.

“Rest assured that you will never find greater respect and recognition for power that media wields than under this administration,” she told members of the NUJP during their 7th Congress at the Ateneo de Manila University yesterday.

She admitted that pinning down the perpetrators of media killings will not be easy.

“The Maguindanao massacre trial, for instance, is a very complicated case involving 196 accused, a number of whom remain influential and powerful even while they remain under custody,” she said.

Liaison for prosecutors

Meanwhile, Ms. de Lima has named Justice Undersecretary Francisco F. Baraan III a liaison for prosecutors handling the massacre trial.

Mr. Baraan’s designation as supervising undersecretary for the prosecution panel — both government and private — in the trial was contained in a one-page department order issued Nov. 22 and released yesterday.

“Usec. Baraan shall regularly meet with the prosecution panel, attend case briefings and make appropriate recommendations for the efficient prosecution of cases,” the department order, which was effective immediately, read.

In earlier interviews, Ms. de Lima said the appointment of a supervising undersecretary is an affirmation of her commitment to hasten the trial and see the prosecution of the accused. — Darwin T. Wee with inputs from NRM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch Not and Enjoy the Trip

1. Die Hard 2- John McClane (Bruce Willis) is at odds with terrible mercenaries who take over an airport’s communication system, who threatens to make the planes crash if they don’t get what they want
2. Lost, Season 1- Show begins with a plane crash and a bunch of people trying to survive on a deserted island.
3. Snakes on a Plane- 2 reasons: 1- killer reptiles on the flight, 2- bad movie
4. Turbulence- a stewardess needs to fly a plane overrun by criminals, ward off a serial killer, and touch down in LA just in time for the Christmas holidays
5. Fearless- this 1993 film features every graphic and traumatizing plane crash scene which max Klein (Jeff Bridges) survives. It eventually changes him into someone who feels indestructible.

 

Slowing Health Procedures

How many times have you mistaken a nurse or an attendant for the doctor? Maybe as many times as I did, which in my case, I greatly blame to the irresponsible use of almost the same uniform, especially the scrubs when attending patients. I wonder why there are directors who let this happens when there are a lot of medical scrubs for sale in the aftermarket these days. All it takes is a little twist in the budget but the result will be dramatic in terms of efficient operations.

Although, I also believe that there are things to be considered regarding medical and other health practitioners’ uniforms. Among these is cleanliness in how they will appear, but is this big enough to worry about than the real effect of confusions when everyone is in white garbs and scrubs? This slows down the medical process when all it takes is replacing some of the uniforms even with medical uniform retail for the meantime.

In fact, this doesn’t have to be an issue. There are a lot of medical uniforms online for the purpose. For best deals and choices, one great place is the Blue Sky Scrubs dot com.

 

Blood Bath Yesterday, Pride of Beauty Today

Miss Philippines Venus Raj takes the Philippines to the top 10 of the prestigious Miss Universe 2010 as of posting. It is not certain if she is already aware of what is happening in her country but she knows that her best friend, Melody Gersbach died last Saturday in a vehicle accident. She was shaken of the news but still holds out pretty nicely. Taking her country to top 10 proves how strong and courageous the young Filipina is.

We hope she wins because the Philippines needs her in promoting the country after what happened at the Quirino Grandstand yesterday. As we await the top 5, we also hope for the peace in the country and the world.

 

Provoked Aggressor, Hostage Situation Mishandled

The Hong Thai bus standoff yesterday was a mirror of how the Philippines can handle a very bad hostage situation. The hostage drama was on for 10 hours, the negotiator was not at all persuasive, and the worst, the police seemed not ready. ABS-CBN media men were even caught live laughing and swearing when a round of shooting happened.

The Negotiator

In any hostage drama, the negotiator has to be very sincere and persuading with an eye for the smallest detail. In this case, Chief-negotiator Orlando Yerba Jr should have been the man for the job but what went wrong? The negotiator basically failed to give former Police Superintendent Ronaldo Mendoza the hope he needs. He also failed to establish an ocular inspection on-site. In fact, he forgot to instruct the police that the bus has a television where the aggressor might be able to see what’s happening around him. He might have even seen how his brother was forcefully arrested, provoking his temper.

Too Long a Drama

The Hong Thai bus full of Hong Kong nationals and 4 Filipinos were supposed to visit the Manila Ocean Park around 10 in the morning before former Police Superintendent Ronaldo Mendoza alight and took over. Negotiations started and ended with no promise of hope for the aggressor, who set a 3 p.m. dead lock. The deadline extended again and again, but it was at 8:30 in the evening when the police decided to seize the bus.

Puhh—leeezzzzz

It was a hostage drama turning into a comedy when the police started to move around before it ends up into a blood bath. Some questions are in my mind: 1) why did the police waited for nighttime to operate when they know, if former Police Superintendent Ronaldo Mendoza was serious and dangerous, will be to their disadvantage? 2) Why are they not in battle gears? 3) Did they learn to tie a rope in the training? 4) Why do they cluster around and not taking the situation seriously? 5) Was there a commanding officer in the site? Where’s that guy?

Freedom, oh freedom

You want to be free as a bird? Two things: be a Filipino and become a media man

 

Why Kris wants the Yap dropped from baby James

Moms would not want their kids stripped off their dad’s name but not in the case of Kris Aquino. In fact, she is really filed a motion that will take the Yap off from their only son. What could have fueled this desire? Is it part of the plan of securing the family name for baby James political career or pure greed?

Remembering that Kris Aquino is among the most influential showbiz personality today and how she prepped up his brother to win the presidency might have gotten into her head. She might have realized how influential their family name had been and still is. His brother at 50, still a bachelor, and has never been heard of to do something extraordinary throughout his political career is now Pnoy—thanks to Kris and the legacy of being born an Aquino. He might not marry and surrounded with married sisters, there’s no one else to bear the family’s name. If the courts decide to favor Kris, baby James might be in what his uncle always says ‘matuwid na daan’ (right path). Clever!

Another reason I can think of is pure greed. Remember how Kris Aquino damaged the political and showbiz career of her ex-lover Joey Marquez? She appeared on tv, crying and looking helpless after Marquez left her. She claimed that Marquez infected her with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), which drama-loving Filipinos that we are, accepted and sided with her. Even not proven, this has sent Marquez to bonkers. Now, she wanted to do it all again—by coming forward and announcing to the public how James had been unfaithful in their marriage. Seeing James unaffected, she now wants to hurt the ego of his ex-husband by taking off his last name from their son and claiming their marriage is null. Ill advised by her lawyers or being a brat?

 

Quakey Day in South RP

An early 7.3 magnitude earthquake awakens the southern parts of the Philippines. The tremor had an epicenter at 100 kilometers southwest of Cotabato or at 120 south of Pagadian. A depth of 604.5 kilometers was recorded by both the US Geological Survey and the Philippines institute of Volcanology and Seismology at 6:08 in the morning.

Another earthquake was recorded at 6:19 a.m. This time it’s rated at 5.4 magnitude and 594.8 kilometers depth with 95 kilometers west southwest of Cotabato or 115 kilometers south of Pagadian epicenter.

USGS recorded a third quake with a magnitude at 7.6 by 6:51 a.m. Its epicenter was 115 kilometers southwest of Cotabato or 145 kilometers south of Pagadian. The tremor has a depth of 576.3 kilometers. Phivolcs, on the other hand, recorded this third quake at a magnitude of 6.8 a minute later.

The fourth quake was recorded by the USGS at 7:15 a.m. with a magnitude of 7.4 but Philvocs at 6.7. The epicenter was estimated 120 kilometers south or Pagadian or 120 kilometers west south west of Cotabato with a depth of 616.7 kilometers.

An aftershock was felt late, at 8:50 a.m., with a magnitude of 4.9 and estimated epicenter of 100 kilometers southwest of Cotabato or 142 kilometers south of Pagadian. Another aftershock rocked the south by 9:44 a.m. with an estimated 91 kilometers southwest of Cotabato or 136 kilometers south Pagadian. It has a depth of 592.2 kilometers.

The series of quakes were also felt as far as the Bicol Region in Luzon and the metropolitan Manila. Phivolcs director Renato Solidum explained that the depth of an earthquake affects the area where it is felt. The deeper the epicenter is, the larger the area it reaches because the depth amplifies it. Also, deep epicenter earthquakes are usually none damaging because the shakings often diminish at the surface but strongly felt nonetheless. These series of earthquakes, he reports, as effects of Molucca sea plate and Mindanao Island movements. It should be remembered that the Philippines is one of the countries sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire and thus, frequent seismic and volcanic activities can be felt.