Category: The South

Next step after Bangsamoro peace deal: Philippines to pay up – drop Sabah claim

March 27, 2014 benign0 38 Comments

So what happens to the Philippines’ claim on the Malaysian state of Sabah following the signing of the Bangsamoro “peace deal” between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)? It seems this is now conveniently in the backburner as Filipinos, on cue, dance to the tune of Malacanang’s “celebration of peace”. But…

Civics, Government, Politics, Religion, The South

Bangsamoro deal: Were Filipino Muslims in Mindanao screwed by the Philippine and Malaysian governments?

March 3, 2014March 3, 2014 benign0 16 Comments

With the Bangsamoro “framework agreement” set to be “signed” this month, the Philippines is supposedly on its way towards achieving a future of peace and harmony with and amongst its Muslim minority peoples. It is, supposedly, a political win for Philippine President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino III and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak,…

Government, Politics, Religion, Society, The South

Vhong Navarro and Tent Cities as Top Stories? I guess not.

February 6, 2014January 29, 2015 Ms. Mike Portes 12 Comments

Surely, the Philippines hasn’t rebounded from the ravage of the Zamboanga stand off and the calamities that came, one after the other, but why is it, that the Vhong Navarro argumentum ad misericordiam hogging all forms of media while minimal attention is given to those in the South of the Philippines who are still living in…

Culture, Media, Society, The South

Manila government looks on as Mindanao bombing incidents remain unsolved

August 9, 2013August 12, 2013 FallenAngel 16 Comments

While the public in Metro Manila are preoccupied with the controversy surrounding the pork barrel and the leaked sex tape of Parokya ni Edgar singer Chito Miranda, it seems that the Philippine central government based in Manila can only look on and react belatedly at five (5) recent bombing incidents that occurred in Mindanao. An…

Crime, Government, The South

AirAsia Philippines in spotlight as Sabah insurgency rages

March 15, 2013March 15, 2013 benign0 2 Comments

Fledgling entry into budget travel business in the Philippines, AirAsia Philippines is currently feeling the heat as Filipino Tausugs wage a guerrilla war in the Malaysian state of Sabah. This is in the aftermath of the spread of publicity shots depicting its planes transporting Malaysian troops to the battle front in early March. The online…

Lifestyle, Money Talks, The South

Filipinos in Sabah left hanging as PNoy dithers under the weight of conflicts of interest

March 14, 2013 benign0 28 Comments

Thus endeth Malaysia’s foray into Philippine internal affairs concerning Mindanao. â€œThe Malaysian government has Filipino blood in their hands now. We can no longer rely on them to be an independent and objective third party as we pursue peace in Mindanao,â€ Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez reportedly said. This was after MalacaÃ±ang affirmed Malaysia’s continued role…

Government, Politics, Religion, Society, The South

Epic fail: Philippine and Malaysian govts continue to botch the handling of the Sabah crisis

March 11, 2013March 11, 2013 benign0 48 Comments

The fighting in Malaysia’s Sabah province could be turning into a massive humanitarian crisis the likes of which the otherwise prosperous region hasn’t seen in decades. As sketchy reports of abuses perpetrated by Malaysian security forces allegedly purging the state of Filipino nationals get traded amongst “concerned” individuals on the Net, the Philippine government has…

Government, Media, Politics, The South

THE SABAH ISSUE: The Betrayal to the Republic of the Philippines of Mr. Aquino

March 8, 2013March 8, 2013 Jose Mario de Vega 96 Comments

I concur with the statement of the Anonymous Philippines (February 28th) that President Aquino’s February 26, 2013 statement on Sabah Issue is problematic. In fact, I will even argue that the pronouncement of Mr. Aquino is unpatriotic and treasonous. Whatever little respect I have in him is completely gone the very moment I heard him…

Civics, Development, Government, Politics, The South