Philippines: Are we seeing a slow Chinese takeover?

Certainly, the massive loans given to the “Build! Build! Build” are starting to cost. As the big infrastructure projects and other loans are taking their toll on the economy. Therefore, the Philippines and President Rodrigo Duterte are trying to collect something. It seems like the Chinese counterparts are getting lots of collateral and salvage the spent funds in Philippines. Because, as the weeks goes by and the ASEAN friends, the one with the upper-hand is China.

This is surely not how Duterte want it too look, as they are having a bargain. There has already been putting into question the control of Benham Rise and the hard-won control of the island there. Still, the Republic haven’t fought with tooth and nail to get it back. This week, it seems like there are more installations on it. The sovereign Philippines are being toyed with by China. They are being fooled and has to accept deals, because of the loans to Beijing. Manila is indebted and has to give concessions. Why else, would this week be filled with new Chinese interference and getting licenses in the Philippines?

Weather Station Controversy:

“It is currently coordinating with concerned government agencies, as well as with the Philippine Embassy in Beijing to verify the existence or non-existence of these alleged facilities,” he said. Panelo earlier addressed this concern on Monday saying Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin jr. will “do his job” once the reports have been verified. China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang announced on November 1 that Beijing has already begun operating weather stations on the artificial islands in South China Sea. “These projects are designed to observe the maritime, hydrological, meteorological conditions and air qualities, and provide such services as maritime warning and forecast, tsunami alert, weather forecast, air quality forecast, and disaster prevention and relief,” Lu Kang said in a press conference” (Janine Peralta – ‘Philippines to take action if Chinese weather stations in South China Sea are verified — Palace’ 06.11.2018 link: http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/11/06/ph-china-south-china-sea-panelo.html).

Oil Fields:

One of the projects included an exploration between state-owned Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and Chinese state-owned CNOOC Ltd., located off Calamian in southwestern Palawan province, Cusi told Manila Bulletin in a news briefing. Cusi was referring to Service Contract 57 which covers an oil and gas project awarded to PNOC’s exploration unit, and picked CNOOC as a partner. Cusi did not share details for Service Contract 72, an exploration permit held by the Philippines’ PXP Energy Corp. for Reed Bank, but clarified that the Reed Bank, another disputed South China Sea area, is not of the two” (Meanne Rosales – ‘ PH to seal 2 exploration deals with China’ 09.11.2018, link: https://powerphilippines.com/2018/11/09/ph-seal-2-exploration-deals-china/)

Chinese Telecommunication as the Third Telco:

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has lauded the entry of China Telecommunications Corp., or China Telecom, in his country’s telecommunication industry, saying the Philippines stands to benefit from the “good competition” that a Chinese company will bring to the industry” (…) “Duterte said that China “has proved to be of very incredibly high quality of electronics.” “(Xinhuanet – ‘Duterte welcomes China Telecom’s operating in Philippines’ 08.11.2018).

As we see, the sudden Benham Rise in the South China Sea and the will of China to takeover the place, while the Malacañang are preoccupied with sneering at priests, Rappler and who else who hurt their pride. They are not seeing or looking away from the sovereign implications on Benham Rise. As there are talks already of military installations, but now also monitoring equipment and a weather station. Clearly, the Chinese sees it as their land, while the PH are busy trying to find out what is happening there.

Than, you have the oil-fields in the same region, where the Chinese National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) have gotten licenses to drill oil there. Clearly, this is all intentional, as well as they are the lucky third Telecommunication Company and getting into the Cellphone business too. This is just fitting as a glove. They are both getting territory in the South China Sea, they are getting exploitation opportunities and steady profits through a cell-phone carrier. All this they have gotten for dropping some loans, that is hard for the Philippines to repay in cash.

That is why they are allowed to get these things, as collateral for the debt. This is a game the Chinese plays well. That is why this is all happening. We have seen similar efforts done in Sri Lanka. That will surely happen in the Philippines too. As the Chinese is not forgiving with their loans. They want points on the dollar. Not loose money and certainly not lose face on the investments made. Peace.

RDC: Communique Final de la Rencontre de l’Opposition (11.11.2018)

RDC: Lucha – “Beni: Les etudiants et militants de la LUCHA doivent etre liberes sans condition” (11.11.2018)

Joint Statement Of the Bahr Dar Meeting between the Leaders of Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea (10.11.2018)

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s Message after the successful Kyarenga Concert Yesterday (11.11.2018)

What a day, What a Night, What a Show! THANK YOU to the thousands of friends, supporters and fans who came down to One Love Beach Busabala last night for the #KyarengaConcert. Abaana ba Uganda mwena, I cannot thank you enough for the massive show of support and solidarity. What a night!!! Not only did you show up in record numbers, the vibe was so good. You lit the fire and kept it burning. Thank you for dancing to the songs of freedom. I enjoyed every bit of the night, and it was evident you guys had fun too. I was captivated by your sense of purpose, resilience and determination for a better Uganda. Your faces were all beaming with hope and aspiration even as we danced and sang. I want to send a special thank you to my fellow artistes who made the show even more colourful. Mwe musinga baana ba Taata. Lazima if we all do our part, and God being on our side, olutalo nga luwedde tuliyambala engule mu Uganda empya!

Zimbabwe: GoZ says it wasn’t them who tried to abduct MDC leader Nelson Chamisa (11.11.2018)

Sri Lanka: Lawyers Condemn and Reject Unconstitutional Dissolution of Parliament, Urges Election Commission to Ignore Unconstitutional Orders of the President (10.11.2018)

RDC: Alert I Enlevenent d un militant de la LUCHA a Goma – Sa vie en danger (10.11.2018)

RDC: FCC – Communique Officiel du Front Commun pour le Congo (09.11.2018)

Kenyan MP Babu Owino banned from Uganda: Planning to attend Bobi Wine’s Concert is the reason!

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are getting more and more touchy with age. He has less and less flex too. That is why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a Memo has said that the Kenyan MP Babu Owino is Person Non Grata in the Republic of Uganda.

In the Law Dictionary that means: “Latin for a person not welcome; an undesirable, unwelcome or unwanted person”.

So we clearly see the intent of the Republic, as they want to ensure the concert of Bobi Wine tomorrow doesn’t have a high-profiled foreign guests. Expect more nonsense. As tomorrows concert will not go down without any drama. There has been plenty already and expect more, because Museveni is a whiny little cadre, who has to use force and bullets. He cannot establish a pattern of trust nor of betterment of the Republic.

That is why Owino isn’t allowed into Uganda for the purpose of attending the Concert and Album Launch. Because that would enforce and also show strength to the cause of Bobi Wine. That is something Museveni cannot see, Museveni can have over Deputy President William Ruto. But not let the minions grow stronger. That is not acceptable. They are supposed to shielded and follow his command. Not create their own stage and their livelihoods. That is not how the Republic works under Museveni. No, no and no.

Owino is a lost cause here, he could have been a beneficiary and a foreign supporter. Instead he will not be able to attend and surely will be left at the airport or at the border-crossing. Where he will be told and direct back to Kenya. Because, the patrols and the Security Forces will follow the command from above high.

So, if someone is afraid of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. It is clearly the state, as they are making all the ones in association with person non grata. Just like they didn’t allow his foreign attorney to represent him after the torturing and arrests post Arua By-Election. It all fits a pattern and it is not beautiful, but a masterpiece of oppression. Peace.