Philippines: A Clear Message from the Duterte Administration to the Maute Group today!

Today the was a majority from the Senate in passing the Martial Law. This is happening while the skirmishes from the Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) towards the Maute Group in Marawi City in Lanao Del Sur. The insurgence from Maute Group in the city started at 23rd May 2017. The Government has today sent a clear message to them. Not only in the air, but also through the airways. So that the people of Mindanao should feel safe and rest assured that the state has their interest. Take a look!

AFP Spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr. made the warning as the Maute group members dug in on the eighth day of fighting. “We aired this message in the hope of ending this soon and reducing any more loss of lives and property,” Padilla said in a statement” (…) “President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in the whole island of Mindanao on May 23 while on an official visit to Russia following the attacks by the terror group. Padilla expressed confidence the joint operations of the military and the police would turn out to be successful. “For the terrorists, not surrendering will mean their sure death,” he said” (Reyes, 2017).

In his briefing for diplomats on Tuesday, Cayetano said: “Whatever you sow, you will reap. We believe that if you sow injustice, crime, illegal drugs or narcotics, then you will reap disorder or, in other words, there will be no order nor peace.”(…) “It was our hope that President Duterte would be able to institute the reforms needed by the country without declaring martial law in any part of the country. However due to actual rebellion, terrorism, and the presence of ISIS on Philippine soil, the declaration of martial law in Mindanao became a necessity,” he said” (Esmaquel II, 2017).

So the state has put out a clear message, but the funding the Maute might be more simple than ISIS. That is also connected to the grand issue for the Duterte Administration, the drug-war. The war on drugs and their powers. Like this briefing from Dela Rosa!

In a press briefing on Monday, Dela Rosa said that the Maute group—the self-styled ISIS supporter which has besieged Marawi City in Lanao del Sur since last week—were known to have “protected” drug lords as early as last year. “Even before July 1, when I assumed my post and announced that drug lords should surrender, we received information that majority of drug lords here in Metro Manila, Luzon and Visayas went to Marawi to hold a ‘drug summit.’ And they were protected by the Maute group and narco-politicians,” Dela Rosa said, during the briefing at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City” (…) “Dela Rosa, however, was quick to deny the President’s statements that the Maute brothers were former policemen in Manila dealing in drugs. “They’re not police…they just act like they are (pulis-pulisan) to protect drug lords. That may be why the President said that,” Dela Rosa said, in Filipino” (Maitem, 2017).

Therefore, this might be connection with the drug-war, but that is not sure. So the Maute Group trying to control the area for the sake of narco-politicians. Still, the official from the state is otherwise. Considering it all, this might be plausible as the gear and the units of Maute was the most professional militants I have seen in a while. Their arms and the weapons was modern and therefore someone had to provide the monies for these weapons. Still, this just speculations at this point. The narrative though together with present war on drug-cartels are clearly evident of retaliation.

Still, the key message from today is that the Maute Group should desert their weapons and stop the insurgency in Marawi city by men either supported by terrorist groups or drug-cartels. It is still clear that the Martial law can make sure they are taken down. Unless, they are surrounding to the authorities. Peace.

Reference:

Reyes, Dempsey – ‘Surrender or die, Maute told’ (30.05.2017) link: http://www.manilatimes.net/surrender-die-maute-told/330196/

Esmaquel II, Paterno – ‘Cayetano to diplomats: ‘No abuses’ under martial law’ (30.05.2017) link: http://www.rappler.com/nation/171449-cayetano-diplomats-abuses-martial-law-mindanao

Maitem, Jeoffrey – ‘Bato Dela Rosa confirms Maute Group’s drug links’ (31.05.2017) link: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/900608/bato-dela-rosa-confirms-maute-groups-drug-links#ixzz4iatxOEWs

FAO and WFP special report of 26th May 2017 explains the reasons for the famine and food insecurity in South Sudan

The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP) have gone through the basic problems of food production and general markets for it in South Sudan. Both FAO and WFP are explaining the food insecurity and reasons why. The conflict is the important factor, but there are many other reasons as well. But when people are fleeing their small-farms from rebels and the army. In South Sudan it is also the lacking rain-fall and the insecurity have been classified as famine. But to give you a sense from the report, these quotes, which explain a dire situation. This should be taken seriously, as the reports from these United Nations Organizations are the ones following the farmers on the ground and have organized supplies of specialized seeds. Take a look!

Hyperinflation:

Hyperinflation and limited import capacity due to insecurity and shortage of foreign currency have severely impacted market functioning and the availability of food commodities. Cereal prices increased up to ten times in 2016 following the sharp devaluation of the local currency and the increasing transport costs. The number of traders and the level of their food stocks have declined sharply during the second semester of 2016, with strong reduction in food availability and variety” (FAO & WFP, P: 7, 2017).

Food Insecurity:

Food insecurity has reached new records during 2016 (67 percent of the population at harvest time, with over 14 percent severely food insecure), twice the pre-conflict levels and a marked worsening from the same time last year, when food insecurity stood at 49 percent (12 percent severely food insecure). Only one-quarter (26 percent) of the households were found to have acceptable food consumption. The coming lean period of mid-2017 will likely see food insecurity levels rise further” (FAO & WFP, P: 7, 2017).

Cereal Production:

As in previous assessments, post-harvest losses and seed use for sowing in 2017 are assumed to account for 20 percent of total production, leaving a net amount of about 826 000 tonnes available for local consumption. This result is about 10 percent below the output obtained in 2015 and slightly below the last five-year average production estimates. The decline in 2016 is essentially due to displacements of farmers and disruption of farming activities following the increased insecurity and violence since July” (FAO & WFP, P: 23, 2017).

With a projected population of about 12 million in mid-2017, the overall cereal deficit in the January-December 2017 marketing year is estimated at about 500 000 tonnes, over 30 percent above the deficit estimated for 2016” (FAO & WFP, P: 7, 2017).

The Conflict of 2017:

Conflict in 2017 – The major factor influencing the general food security situation during 2017 remains the violent conflict that started in late December 2013. Not only this has not been resolved, the intensity of the conflict increased in mid-2016 (July) and is continuing into 2017. While conflict affected mostly the Greater Upper Nile Region (states of Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei) during the initial stage of the conflict. However, this has spread out across the country and in particular spread into the major producing areas of the country, such as Western and Central Equatoria and neighbouring areas of Eastern Equatoria. Western Bahr el Ghazal has also been affected by fighting. These situations have geographically wider repercussions: disruption of farming leads to drops in national crop production, while its impacts on markets and trade routes lead to problems in the supply of staple foods to the more remote areas of the country” (FAO & WFP, P: 36, 2017).

In January 2017, 32.3 percent of the population of South Sudan (about 3.8 million people) was classified in the IPC Phases 3 (Crisis), 4 (Emergency) and 5 (Catastrophe). In the lean period of mid-2017, this proportion is likely to rise to 46.7 percent (5.5 million people). The most serious situations are in Unity State (where the population in some counties is facing famine or risk of famine) and Northern Bahr el Ghazal – over 50 percent of the population is in IPC Phases 3 to 5. The situation is expected to worsen during the lean period of 2017 (up to July)” (FAO & WFP, P: 9, 2017).

This is all worrying and the conflict edges the crisis with natural effect. From the problems with production of cereals, to hyper-inflation together with the areas where the Republic are classified as famine. All of this is combination of downward spiral no nation want to be hold-in. The Republic of South Sudan and it’s citizens are in turmoil as the farmers cannot plow their dirt and raise their seeds. All major cultivated areas got affected by the crisis and conflict, this ha by all means been reasons for the food insecurity. If people don’t see it and isn’t worried that the production area for food has been the battleground between government and rebels. So the farmers there would be in crossfire. So if these areas and states doesn’t see peace, than the production will not rise to the needed levels. That should be key importance and be needed policy by the government to make sure they are producing enough food for their population. Peace.

Reference:

FAO & WFP – ‘S P E C I A L R E P O R T – FAO/WFP CROP AND FOOD SECURITY ASSESSMENT MISSION TO SOUTH SUDAN’ (26.05.2017)

Burundi: Decret No. 100/107 du 26 Mai 2017 Portant Revocation de Certains Officiers de la Force de Defense Nationale (26.05.2017)

 

Deliberately without thinking, Mwenda ‘spilled the beans’ of the NRM Police State!

It takes to two to tango, and it takes many hands to destroy a community, but it does not take many to usher in policies. Therefore, in the mix of Ugandan politics and with time the Police has added significance, as the IGP Kale Kayihura has many times told how to hold consultant meetings and even been teaching journalist how to do their jobs. This is in the effort to stifle the opposition and their mission to prove their viable candidates over the only man with a vision. Mr. President, His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, he who Kayihura is so loyal too. So certainly, the Independent and Mwenda without thinking in his praise of the political police sessions and the use of the Police Force to either create an unlawful arrest, harass them and even obstruct political dissidents in their rallies. Let’s take the words of Mwenda himself for a minute.

“Hence, Kayihura’s most critical role has been to transform the police into an arm of the NRM. He secured for Museveni the loyalty of a major security institution that had been independent of NRM politics, hence reducing the role of the army in quelling protests. Kayihura did for Museveni what Central Bank governor, Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile did for IMF. Mutebile converted Museveni into a free market ideologue, thereby turning a Marxist revolutionary into an agent of imperialism” (…) “This masterstroke significantly shrunk the role of ISO and CMI in the soft game of consolidating Museveni’s power. Kayihura’s success here has come at the price of reduced emphasis on criminal investigations, hence negatively impacting the rate of its professional development in the force. However, overall Kayihura’s strategy has bolstered the position of the Uganda police politically, making it a powerful centre of power” (Mwenda, 2017).

The thing that strikes me and should strike anyone who cares about justice or free and fair policing. Is that he is saying it is a good thing, that the Police Force is embedded with the ruling regime. The development under IGP Kayihura is so that the Police get better control because they work directly for the NRM. Not that Police works for the Ugandans or after its supposed constitutions and laws, but for the mercy of the NRM. That is unique and shows how oppressive the mind of Mwenda has become. If not he has become subdued by the NRM and is now the grand apologist.

This sentence should boggle anyone with a sound mind: “Kayihura’s success here has come at the price of reduced emphasis on criminal investigations”, well Mr. Mwenda is not the Police Force supposed to catch criminals and do criminal investigations. Certainly, if it was an arm of a Political Party it would have other functions, but the UPF or Police Force are supposed to solve criminal activity and monitor that. They should not need to look and see, if Olara Otunnu are buying cassava, Norbert Mao feeding his chickens or be part of the convoy of Jennifer Musisi. That is just me though. Peace

Reference:

Mwenda, Andrew – ‘THE LAST WORD: Why Kayihura remains IGP’ (22.05.2017) link: https://www.independent.co.ug/last-word-kayihura-remains-igp/2/

Only in the DRC: President Kabila are now twice Registered for a Non-Existent Election!

Well, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the one who is on his unofficial third term President. He is running the country on a new cabinet, but not on a new mandate. As per today, the Constitution isn’t allowing him to re-run. He was temporary before his first term for a few years. He was running the Republic without elections between 2001 and 2006. Than he finally got elected in 2006 and than again in 2011. He was supposed to have ended his term in 2016, but that train has passed it due-date by a few months already.

President Kabila is already 160 days overtime, he is 5 months and 9 days. That is well over the supposed time. That is not counting the days he was in-charge without an official election between 2001-2006. So he has a history of running the 3rd Republic without any mandate. That is what he does today!

So the first he registered for an election without himself at the helm was back on the wonderful day of 6th May 2016. It is easy to forget that Kabila did that on a computer looking smart and ready. Vigilant like always, the vagabond ruling Kinshasa and the provinces as well. Today on the 28th May 2017. He was doing the same maneuver. Registering himself for an election. This time without CENI having set any dates, any regulations or credentials needed for candidates. Therefore this exercise was more PR than real. Surely paid lobbyist Bob Dole and others, who are working to better the image in the United States can smile. Since this act will make it more sincere that President Kabila wants to honor the promises of the CENCO agreement of 31st December 2016. So twice now, Kabila has registered himself to something he doesn’t plan to do. Because if he does, that means he loses and someone else will run it.

This is something Kabila knows and the world already knew. If the know the DRC and its situation this wouldn’t be surprising. At this point Kabila acts like he own the Republic and the Republic owes him a big deal. Therefore, he cannot leave and has no plans of exiting the throne that he inherited from his father. It seems like the time and present moment, that the instability and insecurity is also facilitated by the government. To create problems and make it worse. This to be able to postpone the elections and keep his ruling fist. It does seem plausible that by all means he wants to stay in power. Therefore, he has even been seen in the city of Lubumbashi with tanks in recent year, to prove to Moise Katumbi and his supporters. That this place is also ruled by Kabila.

I have no faith that Kabila will honor any agreement that doesn’t extend his rule. Not because he deserves to stay as the President. But because he has shown no signs of giving the mantle to anyone else or put some ready for succession. No-one has even been groomed, only people been doomed for wishing to become Presidential Aspirants, therefore they have ended in exile in Belgium. The nation that took DRC and built massive mansions on their looted fortunes. This is ironic, but the truth. Certainly, Kabila will not back-down and give-up quickly. He has no plan to give in. Peace.

[The Arms supplier to SPLA] President Museveni are involved in developing a work-plan for peace in South Sudan!

Entebbe State House 26. May 2017

There are something very wrong when an arms supplier of two decades like President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda, are involved in the mediation and peace negotiation in South Sudan. Even if President Salva Kiir Mayardit are wanting him. They have had a longstanding relationship, which is the proof of the arms trade and helping each with armies when needed be. Therefore the impartiality with having Museveni isn’t there. Museveni will secure Kiir and his fraction as that pays him in the long-run and not necessary the best for South Sudan. Just take a look!

On the 26th May at the State House:

Chaired a meeting of three different South Sudanese factions, seeking to reunite the South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. The meeting at State House, Entebbe was attended by representatives of the SPLM in government, SPLM in opposition and former detainees. This followed a request by His Excellency Salva Kiir that I help in the mediation process. The meeting agreed to establish a working committee that will develop a workplan on implementation of the Arusha Accord, end the war and plan for peace. The meeting tasked as me as mediator, and new chair of the East African Community to determine time and venue for the next meeting, which I will do” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 26.05.2017).

The relationship between Museveni and the conflict in South Sudan, can go back in to old libraries like the report from the Independent paper in the United Kingdom:

The Nigerian-owned Boeing cargo plane was forced to land at Larnaca on Tuesday during a flight from from Tel Aviv to Entebbe in Uganda. According to the Cypriot civil aviation authorities, it was carrying weapons to Uganda. A senior Ugandan official said yesterday it was the first his government knew of the consignment, and there is speculation that the weapons may be destined for the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, struggling for survival in southern Sudan” (…) “The Sudanese government seems to regard Uganda as a supplier of the SPLA. Reliable sources in the area say Khartoum has been supplying dissidents elements in Uganda who have mounted random attacks near Sudanese refugee camps in northern Uganda” (Dowden, 1994). So Museveni has supplied the SPLA weapons for over 20 years and the recent reports show similar activity with Ukraine plane and pilot, instead of being a Nigerian one like the old report. Therefore, with the history of supplying weapons and ammunition to the SPLA. There isn’t like Museveni has chosen side in the conflict. The National Dialogue, which isn’t allowing Dr. Riek Machar and therefore excluding the real SPLM-IO, as well as the newly forged rebel-groups. Which is either dissidents of the SPLM-IO or the SPLM/A in the recent year.

So with the sanctions of who is taking part of the National Dialogue, it will not be sincere, since all of the parties are not involved. The rebels and their leaders are not in communication with the government. Therefore, President Kiir has an ally in the negotiation instead of mediator without any inside agreements. That means that President Museveni will be on the side of Kiir and not on a genuine peace-talks.

Like the interview of SMC in mid-May:

Q. What about IGAD efforts now in South Sudan?

A. For the South Sudan crisis the IGAD was also supported by the international community. In fact the agreement is ‘IGAD-plus agreement’. The IGAD on the one hand and on the other hand, the members of the international community including the TROIKA and a number of other countries were involved in bringing the government of South Sudan and the SPLA together in agreement. So on the ground there is an extensive understanding and cooperation between the IGAD and the international community” (SMC, 2017).

So even if it is a ceasefire now, the attacks and skirmishes still happens in different states. The situation is still dire and my faith in the National Dialogue isn’t there. As the IGAD-Plus Agreement haven’t been respected, by neither party. As the turmoil and crisis is in the matter of the current leadership. Both from the rebels and also from the central government.

With all this in mind, what will be President Museveni motives to make a work-plan for the mediation and implementation of the Arusha Accord. Will it be to generate a real peace or for the help of his friend in troubling time. With the knowledge of the connection between Ugandan Army and the SPLA, Museveni is more important to keep Kiir as an ally, than generate a real peace. The National Dialogue is flawed and it doesn’t help that you have a partial motivated leader like Museveni helping out. It is not to give the mediation any credibility. Since the weapon-brother and the ammunition supplier of the SPLA would not be sincere in wishing peace. He has made sure that President Kiir could battle his enemies and had enough bullets to silence them.

I never had faith in Museveni to deal with this, might the rest of the world do, but then they are naive and not thinking of the implications of selling guns and than discussing peace afterwards. It doesn’t seem to be real and fit. Like a beer producers are promoting careful drinking is insincere as they are in the business of trading the brew and not safety. Peace.

Reference:

Dowden, Richard – ‘Israeli weapons ‘bound for rebels’ in southern Sudan: Arms may be destined for SPLA fight against Khartoum’ (19.03.2017) link: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/israeli-weapons-bound-for-rebels-in-southern-sudan-arms-may-be-destined-for-spla-fight-against-1430077.html

The Sudanese Media Center (SMC) – ‘Interview: IGAD Special Envoy in Khartoum Lissane Yohannes’ (15.05.2017) link: http://smc.sd/en/interview-igad-special-envoy-khartoum-lissane-yohannes/

Trump cannot ride a golf-cart away from the Russian Probe

While President Trump been apart of the G-7 in Taormina on Sicily in Italy. This while it is a mounting speculation and revealing stories into the Russian Probe, which is into the Trump Campaign 2016. Surely, we can mock the man who doesn’t have the energy to walk by road of the conference and had to ride in a golf-cart while rest of the world was walking together. Also, the impressive act of not having a press conference after the G-7 conference as the rest of the world leaders did. He had nothing to report of his work. President Trump could have spoke about how he didn’t wanted to commit to Paris Agreement on Climate Change, but he doesn’t have the courage to do so.

The United States President had to act special, that is because he is special. So special that the more you look into his campaign team and his cabinet, the more support and help from Russia. The intelligence that he leaks to friends and foes has to come while he is gone. Since the leaks of revelations are coming. Even that the Trump Organization doesn’t want to disclose the revenue they are getting from Foreign Government Entities because of the different nature of the billing. Like a giant Limited Liabilities Companies want to keep their revenue secret. Because the Trump Organization got it all to hide. Like the IRS Tax Returns of President Trump has also never been released and seems forgotten in all the scandals, but the truths in the earnings of the President would reveal lot of ghosts that he cannot hide.

President Trump and his team has had many of them either been connected, been in talks or been on paid visits in honors of Russian delegations. When Jared Kushners planned a back-channel of secret communication with Moscow, proves there are so many stories not told. Because there enough known people who has been implicated in the Russian Probe and had connections with them. This being Donald Trump Junior, Paul Manafort, Carter Page, Ivanka Trump, Jeff Sessions, Michael Flynn, Rex Tillerson, Roger Stone, Wilbur Ross, Steve Bannon, Michael Caputo, Michael D. Cohen and Felix Sater.

So when you such a giant group of people either connected or having conversations during the election. While new revealing damaging stories and allegations keeps pumping to the public sphere. You can wonder what sort of damage control and plans the President has other than being in Europe driving a Golf Cart. There has to be other ways to figure it out. He has hired a lawyer and planned a war-room in the White House. While he has sent his sons from the Trump Organization to figure out how the Republican Party can deal with the hazardous situation. Which, is special since the father and their sons shouldn’t be connected through their blind-trust. But that is just a lie, a big fat-lie and he takes the American as big-fat jack-asses. Who he can play around with the “No Comment” McMaster who got the job Flynn had for 20 days.

While we do know that the sacked former FBI director James Comey after he asked for more funds into the FBI Probe, after leaks of Trumps asking for loyalty and calling for the same. Trump also had the arrogant feature of asking Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, also Director of National Security Agency Michael Rodgers was asked about the Russian Probe and working into the Flynn case. Therefore, he has tried his best to stifle two cases, as they are damaging to him. This all leaves behind all sort of obstruction of justice.

As you thinking this is bad enough, Mitch McConnell the Majority Leader of the Senate, has himself gotten massive donations from Russian donors, as well as Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and even John McCain. Scott Walker of Wisconsin also got a massive donation from Pro-Putin backers. So there are so many people involved and having their own issues to explain over no-problem money from Russia. Former Trump appointee like Flynn, who has had his connections to the Russian under scrutiny as well.

Like the leaked conversation between GOP leaders from June 2016 meeting at Capitol Hill:

Ryan: Russia is trying to turn Ukraine against itself.

Rodgers: Yes. And that’s…it’s sophisticated and it’s, uh…

Ryan: Maniacal.

Rodgers: Yes.

Ryan: And guess…guess who’s the only one taking a strong stand up against it? We are.

Rodgers: We’re not…we’re not…but, we’re not…

McCarthy: [unintelligible]…I’ll GUARANTEE you that’s what it is.

[Unintelligible]

McCarthy: The Russians hacked the DNC and got the opp research that they had on Trump.

McCarthy: laughs

[Crosstalk]

Ryan: The Russian’s hacked the DNC…

McHenry: …to get oppo…

Ryan: …on Trump and like delivered it to…to who?

[Unintelligible]

McCarthy: There’s…there’s two people, I think, Putin pays: Rohrabacher and

Trump…[laughter]…swear to God.

Ryan: This is an off the record…[laughter]…NO LEAKS…[laughter]…alright?!

[Laughter]

Ryan: This is how we know we’re a real family here.

Scalise: That’s how you know that we’re tight.

[Laughter]

Ryan: What’s said in the family stays in the family”

Certainly this transcript is one conversation is damaging for the Republican party. Together with the revelation of donations, as well as the new stories coming. Day after day, the peeling of onion continues. This together with the use of a non-sanctioned phone-line and with an Android might also make the reveling stories coming. Also, that like Clinton, President Trump had no issues having his own private server. With the knowledge of the back-channel to Moscow through the Russian Embassy in United States. It is clearly a lot of questionable actions and activity, as well as the undisclosed meetings and funding. That will surely say much more about the connection between Russian and the Trump Campaign. Together with the already exposed memos, conversations and payments to the Trump-aides.

Even an article in July 24, 1987 said this:

Do Russians have a Trump Card?

The Soviets are reportedly looking a lot more kindly on a possible presidential bid by Donald Trump, the New York builder who has amassed a fortune through real-estate speculation and owns a controlling interest in the notorious, organized-crime linked Resort International. Trump took an all-expenses paid jaunt to the Soviet Union in July to discuss building the Russians some luxuries hotels. The Soviets “treated me beautifully,” he told reporters. “The government would like me to build a major hotel in Moscow in quality and in style like Trump Tower” – the garnish structure which Trump built on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue” (Kathleen Klenetsky – ‘Elephants & Donkeys’ – 24.07.1987).

That Trump possibly will re-hire campaign managers like Cory Lewandowski and others wouldn’t be surprising, as well as he is hiring Marc Kosowitz to fight his cause and external information from the White House. Certainly, the Trump administration has so many leaks and so little control. That they need to find a way to control, because the running investigations both at the Hill from the Senate and the Special Investigator Robert Mueller. Who cannot be fired by the President like he did with James Comey and might do to others.

There aren’t indications that the Republican Party didn’t know and hasn’t stopped Trump to do this. As Paul Ryan wanted to keep it in the family. As well as the Trump Administration and his men has met with Russian ambassador and even cashed in on their connections to Russia. That might be the most important reason for the secrecy of all the revenue of the Trump Organization and the tax returns of the President. Who cannot hide it anymore, as there will clearly be asked to deliver it to either the investigation at the Hill or the one by Mueller. We can also see when the leaked documentations will come for more flesh to the bone.

We don’t know much yet, but what we do know.. is that this will get ugly. It will get nasty and the Presidency will not back-down. When it comes to Trump and investigations he uses all tricks and finding ways in courts to not answer questions. The transcripts of the his interrogation there, showed that he was not interested in giving any information or trying to be honest to the judge. Therefore, expect the same behavior when it comes to colluding, collaborating and direct communication with the Russians. Peace.

President Duterte will take responsibility for the Martial Law in Mindanao!

Acts of violence– Whether on a large or a small scale, the bitter paradox: the meaningfulness of death–and the meaninglessness of killing.”Dag Hammarskjöld

The declared martial law in Mindanao and the repression of the Maute Group in Lanao del Sur and in the city of Marawi. The official date for the Martial Law were on the 24th May 2017. This after the Maute group really went in and created havoc in the city. Therefore the speech President Rodrigo Duterte had to the army in Lanao del Norte as he wanted to show his presence and his support to the soldiers who are fighting the terrorist group. Even though like normal, the language and rhetoric is harsh and rough, but to inspire and give hope. He showed courage as he take it all on him and says so. There would be many leaders who would flip the blame to someone else. The President said the things very clear, the Marial Law is suspending many civil functions, but it is done so the state have power to stop the guerrilla and militants can be stopped by force.

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, May 26, rallied government troops to win the war against terrorists in Mindanao, and assured them that he “alone” would be responsible for the “consequences” of his martial law declaration in the region” (…) “Sasamahan ko kayo (I’ll be with you all the way). If you go down, I go down. But for this martial law and the consequences of martial law, and the ramifications of martial law, I and I alone would be responsible. Trabaho lang [kayo]. Ako na bahala (Just do your job. I have your back),” he said” (…) “”Ang utos ko sa tropa, lahat ng tao na hindi authorized ng gobyerno na magdala ng baril at lumaban, patayin ninyo; ubusin na lang ninyo. Kasi ganoon din ang laban (My order to the troops is to kill all those who are not authorized by the government to carry firearms, who fight back; kill them all. Because that’s what’s going to happen anyway). They will come back to fight for another day,” he said” (…) “Go for it, at may full support kayo sa akin (and you have my full support),” the President added” (Rappler, 2017).

That President Duterte takes responsibility is a clear indication of how he acts, as the representative he is of the people and not someone above the law. Even if he suspends it for the cause of fighting terrorism in Mindanao. Therefore, the public should rest assure. His support of the soldiers in this critical time is also positive as the results and the ending of the Maute Group is now main priority, as the troubles their previous activity and now also all the destruction and killings do in Marawi City.

Though, as the long-gone United Secretary Dag Hammerskjold said.. all killings are meaningless, the deaths of Marawi is the same, all of the men and woman on both sides of battles dies over nothing. They die over pride and wanting to occupy already established territory of the Republic of the Philippines. So the deaths these days are all victims of the pointless death. Even if I support the Martial law and support the attempt to stop the ones creating anarchy and destroying society in Lanao Del Sur. Still, the killings will only hurt the loved ones and the people who shared their lives.

We can hope that the Philippine Army can take the militants down and stop their vicious attempt of trying to force their caliphate in the Mindanao. That is why the army has to address it by guns and arms to make sure their legitimate and righteous rule continue. So that the Republic still has control and has peace inside their borders. This is the main objective and also to gain control of Mindanao and not having insurgency there. That is why the Martial Law and its objective is important to support, even as the killings are all pointless. Though some are needed to secure daily life and the rights of the people. Even with the sudden suspension of many of the common liberties. That is the price to pay to get rid of militants.

The ones going against the Martial law in this effort, is not living in the area or wanting to understand the massive assault on the Marawi City that has been done. As the technical operations and planned skirmish to really take control and install fear that the Maute Group did. That is why the army has to answer and also the state. Even if it cost a bit of liberties and also makes sure the civilians get to flee from the battle-zones of the Mindanao. Peace.

Reference:

Rappler – ‘Duterte: ‘I alone’ responsible for martial law aftermath’ (26.05.2017) link: http://www.rappler.com/nation/171019-duterte-responsible-martial-law-aftermath

USA: Joseph Lieberman letter to President Trump asking to be withdrawn as a nominee for FBI Director (24.05.2017)

USA: Jason Chaffetz letter to Acting Director Andrew McCabe on Comey’s Memos (25.05.2017)