I’m a non-muslim resident of Mindanao. I chanced upon your blog while searching for posts on the BJE. Frankly sir, I find your opinions here very sensible and pragmatic.

As far as Prof. Dinampo is concerned he is reacting based on what he knows is right but I don’t think we can say the same with the Isnajis.

There are reports that negotiators in the kidnappings by the Abu Sayyaf are getting a cut on the ransom and actually getting rich in the process. Could this be the reason why the Isnajis allowed themselves to be humiliated?

Fr. Tony Martin created two of the largest & most successful cooperative institutions in the Philippines, the Visayas Cooperative Development Center (VICTO) & the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO).

At the height of his career in the Philippines in 1979, he was struck down by his former colleagues who wanted to take his place. Learn about his story at :

www.anthonymartinmemorial.com

AMMF-Toronto, Canada

There are some politicians helping the Isnaji’s in their case. Simply this politicians do not want their names published in the media regarding the ransom money and helping a muslims like the Isnaji’s. Abbas statements jeopardize the isnaji’s from being helped by these powerful politicians. You should think broader my brother.

 I am proud that we have a profeesonal Moro like you and such a great blog you have here. But you should support the Isnaji's. Alvarez Isnaji is one of the greatest Moro leader we have. He had fought in war before, a Top leader in MNLF, a cleric and a good politician. He never forget his cause to fight for us the Bangsamoro people. You must know that the GRP are trying to destroy us the Muslims. Support your fellow muslims. Because we are brothers.Allahuakbar3x....

For centuries, the Filipinos were second-class citizens. Thus, they could not seem to equate themselves with the colonizers. I have seen so many Filipinos, even top government officials, who got tongue-tied when speaking to white foreigners. I saw one high ranking official who practically froze for a minute or so when spoken to by a foreigner.

Yes, good quality products are reserved for foreigners. The poor Filipinos can expect only mediocre products.

My Indonesian and Malaysian friends could not understand why the Marlboro cigarettes they bought in Manila tasted like paper. I could not explain to them that even foreign products have to downgrade their quality in order to be sold to the Filipinos. I just told them that there are two kinds of cigarettes in Manila: the local ones which taste funny and the “blue seal” which are the imported ones.

They kept on asking why the local ones are not the same as the imported ones. Marlboro should taste like Marlboro wherever they were made. I could not answer them more. It would have taken a long time.

When I compare Filipino films or novels to foreign ones, people immediately tell me that it is unfair to compare Filipino works with foreign ones. This really shocks me. Every writer, every artist has the right to be judged according to the world’s norms. I don’t want my writing or whatever that I do to be judged merely according to Philippine standards. I want my work to be compared to the world’s best. Nothing less than that.

Oh well, what can we do?

Thanks for your comments. Ciao.

I enjoy reading your blogs and look forward to more.

Regards.

Your example is a NON SEQUITUR. It is SOP for VIPs to have their passport handled by airport officials. And if once your passport was not stamped, then it was just stupidity on the part of the official. Or, you are not a real VIP but only had some friends in the airport who facilitated your entry.

The difference between you and Lozada is that he did NOT ask for a VIP treatment. He specifically told his handlers that he wanted to pass by Immigration.

If you are looking for similarities, then think of Ninoy Aquino. He, too had a “VIP welcome”.

Besides, did you pass through the Departure Area, too? If you did, then please tell us your name and circumstance so we could report it to the Senate. They would be interested in that.

The fact that Valeroso was carrying Lozada’s bags, including his very important laptop PROVES that there was abduction and coercion. Lozada said that he never parted with his laptop when traveling. When I traveled with my laptop, I saw to it that nobody else would carry it as it was very fragile and contained important documents.

Atienza’s involvement proves nothing or everything depending on which side of the fence you are in. As for Gaite, his testimony at the Senate about the 500,000 pesos made it clear to all right-thinking people that he was not telling the truth. See my later post on Gaite.

Gaite gave 500,000 pesos to a man whom he barely knew and who had an arrest warrant from the Senate, which was publicly announced. Is that the action of a man who believes in the rule of law? C’mon, open your mind to the truth!

How stupid can you be to think that government people are not capable of abducting and killing people. Have you forgotten Bubby Dacer and Jonas Burgos? And how about Ninoy Aquino? Like Lozada, he had a “VIP welcome” from the government.

In the “Hello Garci” tapes, a COMELEC Commissioner talked about kidnapping some Moro civilians!

I know of people, including relatives, who were abducted, tortured and even killed by police and military people like the ones who abducted Lozada.

I don’t know what exactly is Lozada’s and Neri’s agenda but from what I’ve heard and seen, I believe there was an abduction and a rub-out attempt.

As for Lacson, I never voted for him. Why don’t YOU tell us the REAL story.

And believe you me, I always think out of the box.