MESSAGE BOARD

AFP unrest, The few, the proud, the marines

SMcqueen — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 16:45:44 GMT

Military Unrest, an Epidemic Says Retired Officer

The backpedaling of 1Lt. Lawrence San Juan and the arrest of six other military officers belonging to the Magdalo group may be perceived as the final blow against rebel soldiers. A retired military officer who has close ties with active rebel military forces, however says that the recent developments may have derailed some plans but has not cured the restlessness that continuously spreads within their ranks.

Col. Balutan & Gen. Gudani Capt. L. San Juan Magdalo Soldiers

BY: ABET CASTAEDA

Bulatlat

Restlessness within the military is an epidemic, a retired military officer said in an interview with Bulatlat after government authorities seized six young military rebel officers July 6 in Quezon City.

The Bulatlat source, who requested not to be named for security purposes, said the arrest may have derailed some plans of senior and junior rebel officers in active service but this does not put to rest the issues that plague the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The source did not elaborate on what plans the rebels were up to but said these do not include the bombing of the House of Representatives (HOR) in Quezon City on July 24, the day President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is scheduled to deliver her State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Outgoing AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Generoso Senga presented the alleged plans to bomb the House when he showed to the media a blueprint of the Batasan Complex that was allegedly confiscated from the six rebel soldiers upon their arrest.

The rebel soldiers will not hurt civilians who will be present during the SONA, the source said.

Grievances

In the 33-page Ad Hoc Committee Report leaked to the media in early July, at least six points of grievances were listed, to wit:

Political interference on the recovered firearms of the 1^st Marine Battalion seeking for its immediate release;
The Garci Tape Controversy vis-vis the 2004 Elections and the sacking of Brig.Gen. Gudani;
Assignment of Maj. Gen. Habacon as SOUTHCOM and Rear Adm. Danga as WESCOM;
Promotion System;
Housing; and
The Unceremonious Relief of PMC Commandant

The Ad Hoc Committee chaired by Rear Adm. Rufino S. Lopez Jr. further stated that there is reasonable basis for the gripes that were ventilated and that the events are real and if not given attention may cause repercussions within the military organization.

The report however said, the grievances mentioned and aired lack earnestness to merit attention of immense weight.

The Ad Hoc Committee also said grievances may be properly addressed through proper procedures but admitted policies are not replete in responding to the situation if there are actual grievances.

The Ad Hoc Committee was created to investigate the alleged coup on Feb. 24 and the stand off at the Marine Headquarters inside the Fort Bonifacio compound on Feb. 26. The committee investigated the participation of Brig.Gen Danilo Lim, commander of the First Scout Rangers Regiment, Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, commander of the Philippine Marines, Col. Ariel Querubin, head of the Marines in Lanao province, among others.

Charged

The committee recommended 18 officers from the Marines and 47 from the Philippine Army (PA) to be relieved from their respective posts, placed under custody and appropriately charged before the General Court Marshall for allegedly violating the Articles of War. Charges recommended range from mutiny or sedition, conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman, disrespect toward superior officer and failure to suppress mutiny or sedition.

Although 65 officers have been charged and its leaders restricted to quarters, the retired military officer with close ties to military rebels in active service said the unrest within the ranks refuses to wane.

Hanggat nandyan ang mga dahilan ng kanilang pagkadismaya, patuloy ang kanilang pag-aaklas, (For as long as the reasons for their frustrations are there, their fight will continue.) the source said. There is the issue of illegitimacy of the present administration, social injustice and corruption. There is a breakdown of government institutions, the source added.

How do you erase that from their minds? How do you remove that from their hearts? the source asked. Bulatlat

Forum: God Bless the Philippines

HUMAN RIGHTS, New dictator in the Palace

SMcqueen — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 15:59:22 GMT

State of Undeclared Martial Law

On Monday, President Arroyo will deliver her State of the Nation Address amidst the outcry over continued political killings, abductions, and militarization in the provinces. But expect the human rights situation to be excluded from the SONA, as activists say Arroyos grip on power is based on her brazen violation of the right to life.

BY DEE AYROSO
Bulatlat

Expect the human rights situation to be excluded in this years State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whom a human rights alliance said has gained the title new dictator in Malacaang.

Arroyo will deliver her SONA amidst continued killings and disappearances of activists, and militarization in the countryside. This past week, two activist leaders were killed, one wounded, and many others abducted and missing in the provinces of Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Quezon, all in Luzon island.

Such annihilation campaign and rights abuses of the Arroyo administration are being used to quell dissent and keep Arroyo in power, said the Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples Rights or Karapatan. And the broadness, intensity and brazenness of the attacks on civilians by state security forces under Arroyo has equaled that during Martial Law, it added.

MARTYR: Mercedes Montabon cries over the picture of her son Marvin, 21, who was shot and burned to death by soldiers in their hut in Tarangnan town, Samar province, on March 14, 2005

BULATLAT FILE PHOTO

The rights abuses under Arroyo has made her the next dictator after Ferdinand Marcos, said Marie Hilao-Enriquez, secretary general of KARAPATAN.

President Arroyos desperate pursuit for political survival has virtually turned her into a new dictator and the nation in a state of undeclared martial law. The only way out of the worsening trend of killings, abductions and other gross human rights is the removal of the Fake President from office.

The governments annihilation campaign has taken the form of killings, disappearances, political persecution and attacks on civil liberties.

Enriquez presented Karapatans documents from 2001 to July 21 this year, showing 711 killed and 175 abducted and missing. There were also 350 victims of frustrated killings, most of whom identified their attackers as belonging to the military and police. The latest killed was Arnel Guevarra, an activist who was killed in Malino village, Mexico town in Pampanga evening of July 21.

Enriquez said Arroyos political persecution of her opponents has so far twisted the meaning of rebellion or to take up arms, as the government filed charges even against progressive party-list representatives and legitimate personalities. Arroyos calibrated preemptive response and revival of the Marcoss Batas Pambansa 880 also violated the peoples right to freedom of expression, she said.

On the offensive

Karapatan documents show that 2006 has been so far the worst year for human rights under Arroyo. Of the total human rights violations committed in five and a half years under her regime, 38 percent of the cases were committed from January to July 21 this year. The violations include killings, disappearances, harassment and other abuses. It also includes 262,908 people who have been forcibly evacuated and displaced, mostly in the saturation drives by government troops.

In the first half of 2006, there were 62 cases of disappearances and 115 killings documented, compared to last years 56 disappearances and 184 killings.

In 2005, the killings and attacks waned from June to August when Arroyo was put on the defensive at the height of the Hello Garci scandal, the ouster calls and the impeachment process. The assaults however, resumed as soon as the impeachment efforts failed in the House of Representatives.

On June 17, Arroyo declared an all-out offensive against New Peoples Army (NPA) rebels and a deadline to finish off the insurgency in two years. Oplan Bantay Laya, or the governments end-game strategy meant to curb the insurgency movement by 2006, as well as the retirement date of Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan this September, had made it all the more worse for the state of human rights, as civilians received the brunt of the governments attacks.

Counterinsurgency efforts have sent Army troops not only to remote, hilly villages, but even in communities in town centers, in search of rebels and their sympathizers. Mere census-gathering has become a way for soldiers to instill fear in the people, as soldiers in full battle gears intimidate household members to admit if they let NPA rebels into their home.

In Lopez town in Quezon, soldiers stop and frisk people at checkpoints, and have required each household to submit a family picture. On July 13, in Parista village, Lupao town in Nueva Ecija (115 kms north of Manila), soldiers conducted a census at the house of Tessie Abellera in the morning. By evening, Abellera, a former political detainee and Bayan Muna leader, and her son Rodel, were abducted by five armed men suspected to be soldiers. A week later, on July 20, Philip dela Cruz, 45, was also abducted by two M16 rifle-armed men in military uniform at 5 p.m. in the same village. Bulatlat

Forum: God Bless the Philippines

SINUNGALING, OPORTUNISTA AT NANDAYA LANG SI GLORIA

SMcqueen — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 15:25:26 GMT

ANG SINUNGALING, OPORTUNISTA AT NANDAYA

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo seems to have picked up on the theme of her State of the Nation Address in 2005: A tale of two Philippines.

Last year, the tale was about one nation, in part fractious, in part united.

This time the tale is about a future, hitherto unknown Philippines, and that of the present.

The President, however, missed out on the latter, avoiding elaborating on the new round of impeachment cases filed against her and the lingering political crisis resulting from doubts cast on the legitimacy of her presidency.

In the beginning of her speech on July 24, she said she was not going to talk about politics but what people want to hear.

She, however, still pushed for Charter change by way of promoting infrastructure and other public projects that can be achieved under a federalist system of government.

In 2004 President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo made a big mention in her State of the Nation Address (SONA) the successful rescue of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Angelo dela Cruz from his abductors in Iraq. She underscored the theme People First." One life was worth defending, she then stressed.

When President Arroyo faced Congress on Monday, she only made a brief mention of the efforts of her government to bring back 500 more OFWs from Lebanon.

This time she needed to tell not only the story of one Filipino, but 34,000 who are now caught in the war between the militant Hezbollah and Israeli

forces in Lebanon.

ANG DRAMA NI GLORIA

As in her SONAs in 2001 and 2004, Mrs. Arroyo once again brought with her to Congress ordinary Filipinos who are supposedly the beneficiaries of her government.

In 2001 she had Jomar, Jason, Erwin young boys from the urban poor community of Payatas in Quezon City. She promised to fulfill their dream to receive education, food, housing and health service.

In 2004, she presented Angelo dela Cruz, the OFW rescued in Iraq from Taliban captors.

In the 2006 opening of Congress, part of her showcase was the grandfather and grandson tandem of Ginoong Ama Balunggay and Jacob from Tabuk, Kalinga, Mountain province. Balunggay supposedly received a land title from government, which he handed and offered to his grandson.

Also present in the gallery and summoned to stand one after another by the President were two of three mountaineers who made it to the top of Mt. Everest in May (except Romeo Garduce), 2005 Miss International Lara Precious Quigaman, boxer Manny Paquiao, and athletes who bagged honors in the recent Southeast Asian games.

ANG PROBLEMA NI GLORIA

Forum: God Bless the Philippines

July 1, 1867 - Happy Birthday, Canada!

Vbyssey — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 11:47:51 GMT

July 1, 1867 - Happy Birthday, Canada!

Canada Day has been called a few names in the past. It used to be known as Dominion Day, the First of July, Confederation Day and July the First.

Canada wasn't born on July 1st, but the holiday celebrates the events that took place on this day.

On July 1, 1867, the British North America Act created the Dominion of Canada (federal government). This Act stated that Canada would become an independant dominion (territory) of England, which is why Canada Day was originally called Dominion Day.

The British North America Act (BNA Act) was passed by the British Parliament in 1867 and came into effect July 1 of that year, bringing together the colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Canada into a new political entity. The two divisions of the Province of Canada, formerly Upper and Lower Canada, became Ontario and Quebec, respectively.

The Act also made provision for the admission of additional provinces. Although it was a British statute, the BNA Act was drafted entirely by Canadians at the Quebec Conference of 1864 and passed without amendment. The preamble of the Act called for, a Constitution similar in Principle to that of the United Kingdom. The Act specified the composition of the Senate and House of Commons and the most important elements of the provincial constitutions.

The Act was superseded by the Canada Act, also called the Constitutional Act of 1982, which made Canada a fully sovereign state. The British Parliament approved it on Mar. 25, 1982, and Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed it on Apr. 17, 1982.

Forum: Welcome to the Board

June 19, 1861 - Dr. Jos Rizal

Vbyssey — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 14:38:21 GMT

Dr. Jos Rizal

JOS PROTACIO RIZAL MERCADO Y ALONSO (born 19 June 1861, Calamba, Laguna, Philippines- died 30 December 1896, Manila, Philippines), patriot, physician and man of letters whose life and literary works were an inspiration to the Philippine nationalist movement.

Forum: Welcome to the Board

June 12, 1898 - The Philippine Declaration of Independence

Vbyssey — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 17:12:34 GMT

June 12, 1898 - The Philippine Declaration of Independence

The Philippine Declaration of Independence occurred on June 12, 1898 when Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain after the latter was defeated at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.

The declaration, however, was not recognized by the United States or Spain, as the Spanish government ceded the Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris.

The Philippines celebrated its Independence Day on June 12, although its independence was only recognized on July 4, 1946 by the United States.

Forum: Welcome to the Board

D-Day, June 6, 1944 - The Valour of Friends and Foes alike!

Vbyssey — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 13:26:05 GMT

D-Day, June 6, 1944 - The Valour of Friends and Foes alike!

The Normandy Invasion (also called Operation Overlord) in WWII was launched on June 6, 1944 with the simultaneous landing of U.S., British, and Canadian forces on five separate beaches in Normandy, France.

Utah Beach

The westernmost beach of the five landing areas was assaulted by elements of the U.S. 4th Infantry Division and was taken with relatively few casualties. In the predawn hours of D-Day, units of the 82nd and 101st airborne divisions were airdropped inland from the landing beach. They suffered many casualties from drowning and enemy fire but succeeded in their aim of isolating the seaborne invasion force from defending German units.

Omaha Beach

The second beach from the west was assaulted by units of the U.S. 29th and 1st infantry divisions, many of whose soldiers were drowned during the approach from ships offshore or were killed by defending fire from German troops placed on heights surrounding the beach.

U.S. infantrymen wade from their landing craft toward Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

U.S. Coast Guard/National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Gold Beach

The centre beach of the five designated landing areas was assaulted and taken from defending German troops by units of the British 50th Infantry Division.

Special Service troops of 47 Royal Marine Commando land at Gold Beach near Le Hamel on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

The Trustees of the Imperial War Museum, London

Juno Beach

The second beach from the east was assaulted by units of the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division, who took heavy casualties in the first wave but by the end of the day succeeded in wresting control of the area from defending German troops.

Reserve troops of the Canadian 3rd Division coming ashore at Bernires, Nan sector, Juno Beach, on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

National Archives of Canada, Ottawa

Sword Beach

The easternmost beach was assaulted by units of the British 3rd Division, with French and British commandos attached. Shortly after midnight on D-Day morning, elements of the 6th Airborne Division, in a daring glider-borne assault, seized bridges inland from the beach and also silenced artillery pieces that threatened the seaborne landing forces.

The Longest Day

Many men came here as soldiers

Many men will pass this way

Many men will count the hours

As they live the longest day

Many men are tired and weary

Many men are here to stay

Many men won't see the sunset

When it ends the longest day

The longest day the longest day

This will be the longest day

Filled with hopes and filled with fears

Filled with blood and sweat and tears

Many men the mighty thousands

Many men to victory

Marching on right into battle

In the longest day in history !

Forum: Welcome to the Board

Asian Spirit flies to Laoag City

Vbyssey — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 16:42:15 GMT

Asian Spirit flies to Laoag City

Asian Spirit has started its Manila-Laoag flight using its 100-seater British Aerospace 146 jet aircraft (BAe146-100). The air carrier will be flying four times weekly from Manila (TU/TH/FR/SU).

BAe 146-100 - The 70/84-100 seater British Aerospace (BAe) 146 regional jetliner was manufactured by British Aerospace Systems. Its first flight occurred in September 1981 with deliveries commencing in 1983. The aircraft is powered by 4 Honeywell ALF 502 turbofan engines. It has the best short take-off and landing capability and requires only 1,100 meters of runway. The BAe 146 is certified and capable to operate in all-weather, day and night operations. A total of 221 BAe 146s were built between 1983 and 1993 when it was succeeded by the Avro RJ Series. See: BAe 146

BAe 146-100 -

Forum: God Bless the Philippines

Fly to Batanes

Vbyssey — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 13:18:30 GMT

Fly to Batanes

Asian Spirit, the countrys fourth flag carrier (it received its congressional franchise in January 2002) has launched its revised Manila-Tuguegarao-Basco flight frequency. It also has a twice weekly (Monday and Friday) Manila-Basco direct flight. The airliner will use its BAe ATP (Advanced Turboprop) for these flights.

The airliner operates a fleet of aircrafts that include:

BAe ATP - The 70-seater Advanced Turboprop (ATP) aircraft was manufactured by British Aerospace Systems. It first flew on August 6, 1986, while the first production aircraft flew in February 1988. A total of 62 ATPs were built before production ended in 1994. The aircraft is powered by Pratt and Whitney Canada (PW 126) advanced turboprops, driving six-bladed low revving propellers that deliver a quiet jet-speed performance. See: BAe ATP

BAe ATP -

DHC 7 - The 48-seater De Havilland Dash 7 aircraft is a high wing monoplane manufactured by De Havilland of Canada in Toronto (Downsview). It first flew on March 27, 1975 and remained in production until DHC was purchased by Boeing in 1988. The aircraft is powered by four (4) Pratt and Whitney turbo-prop engines, mode PT6A-50, each engine packing 1120 horsepower. The Dash 7 was designed for short take-off and landing and can operate from a minimum of 600-meter runway. The aircraft is certified for day and night, all-weather condition flying. See: DHC-8 Q Series

DHC 7 -

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Proud of Mayor Juan Caballero and his police force

Vbyssey — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 18:41:33 GMT

Proud of Mayor Juan Caballero and his police force

Re Jacks report (Taiwanese fishermen fired at . . .) that follows at end of message: Manango ya! Mamaltog dana sawen sa dundao! I hope the Taiwanese who are getting rich because of Ivatan aquatic resources will not buy their way through the national government.

It was Philippine waters and not the high seas, and they were police officers and not pirates.

Its the Philippine government who should be

protesting the violation of its sovereignty

I would like to congratulate Mayor Juan Caballero and his police force for doing an excellent job of protecting our Philippine/Ivatan waters and fishing grounds from foreign intruders. Actually, its the Philippine government who should be protesting this continuous violation of Philippine/Ivatan sovereignty.

All we gave the Batanes Coast Guard Command was a sidewalk

(once a garbage site in better times long gone)

Im not certain of the specific objectives of the Philippine Coast Guard created under R.A. 5173 (e.g. to enforce or assist in the enforcement of all applicable laws upon the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines ...) and the specific functions of its station in Basco (e.g. to prevent and suppress illegal entry, smuggling, other customs frauds and violations of other maritime laws that may be committed within the waters subject to the jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines ).

I guess even if its within its responsibility to guard our coasts, it just doesnt have the resources. In addition, all we gave the Batanes Coast Guard Command was a sidewalk (once a garbage site in better times long gone) down towards Pantalan or Basco port.

Since our national government cannot protect our territorial waters, then if the resources of the local governments allow, I hope the governor and mayors will provide the deputized local police forces with a number of heavily armed speedboats to do the job.

The Conquistadores lost their ... and

never set foot again on Isabtang soil

If the Taiwanese wanted a fight, then they picked the wrong people. Lets not forget Mayor Caballero and his people are descendants of Aman Dangat (Namadangat means Crown), the Malakdang king who gave the Spaniards hell (the Conquistadores lost their ... and never set foot again on Isabtang soil ... and it was the cross and not the sword that won them over).

The Isabtangs are also the same people that finished off the Japanese garrison in San Vicente de Sabtang while the rest of the country cowered in fear. Then shortly after the Japanese defeat, they declared independence and proclaimed the Commonwealth of Sabtang.

These Isabtangs are something!

More power to the Mayor, and more firepower, please

We are proud of Mayor Caballero or Johnny Boy and his police force. Now, from one Ivatan to another, and from one Caballero to another, a snappy salute to him and to the members of his police force - Sabtangs finest!

Well done! The police force deserves the best a grateful people can afford: like some heavily armed and well-equipped (radio communications) speedboats.

More power to the Mayor, and more firepower, please. Well always stand on guard with His Lordship for our rights and the territorial integrity of our country!

Batanes News,The Valley Times and www.Ivatan-Yamis.com by Jack E. Castao, January 27, 2006. Edited by Papo Nestor.

Taiwanese Fishermen Fired At In Philippine Waters

BASCO, Batanes (01/27/06)- A Taiwanese fisherman was allegedly shot and killed by local policemen in the high seas on January 15, 2006.

This is the allegation of the Makati City-based Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), who have initiated an investigation of the said incident.

A team from the Regional Police Command in Tuguegarao, who arrived here last week, said there is nothing to investigate since no proof of the incident could be presented by the Taiwanese government. Local police, however, admitted having fired warning shots on a fishing boat January 15 that attempted to ram them.

Police reports on file in the provincial police headquarters show that since Jan. 12, authorities in the island-municipality of Sabtang, 35 nautical miles southwest of this capital town, have been sighting foreign vessels fishing within its municipal waters. It should be noted that the Philippines is a signatory to the international body, which recognizes many nations vast ocean economic zone and the 12-Mile political territorial zone.

On January 15, Sabtang Mayor Juan Caballero organized a team composed of local police and "bantay dagat" to intercept the foreign vessels off the western coast of Sabtang. SPO1 Alejandro Fabre headed one of the teams and the other by PO3 Danilo Alasco.

Fabre claimed in a statement he submitted to investigators that when one of the vessels tried to speed away; his team gave chase and fired warning shots.

As the local police were steaming abreast with the foreign vessel, the latter maneuvered and tried to ram the police's small motorboat. Fabre further claimed, that this prompted him to fire directly at the engine room of the foreign vessel.

Fabre's team returned to the Port of Sumnanga to seek protection, as the vessel might succeed in ramming them.

On Jan 16, the provincial governor was informed of the incident by National Command authorities in Camp Crame, which included the alleged death of the boat's unidentified captain.

Philippine Police Senior Superintendent Victor Oao, said in his report early this week that in order to confirm the Taiwanese claim, there is need for them to provide evidence to bolster their allegation.

Oao said, it is necessary that the vessel be presented to confirm that it was hit by gunfire. "Then we also have to have a copy of the alleged victim's death certificate", Oao added.

Claiming they want their investigation, a 10-man investigating team from the TECO, arrived here Tuesday. They were accompanied by two police officers from the regional police command and two agents of the National Bureau of Investigation.

They returned yesterday (Jan. 26) to Manila. It is not known what additional investigation they gathered, as they were tight-lip. Members of the Taiwanese team refused to allow their team leader, Samson Ong, talk to The Valley Times.

"Just wait for our report, which will be released to the media in due time", one of the Taiwanese officials added.

(Jack Castano is an independent correspondent based in the island province of Batanes and a news reporter to The Valley Times. His articles also appear on various domestic and international media.)

Forum: Batanes: It's a Wonderful World

To be governed

Vbyssey — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 14:25:17 GMT

To be governed

"To be governed is to be watched over, inspected, spied on, directed, legislated, regimented, closed in, indoctrinated, preached at, controlled, assessed, evaluated, censored, commanded; all by creatures that have neither the right, nor wisdom, nor virtue ...

To be governed means that at every move, operation, or transaction one is noted, registered, entered in a census, taxed, stamped, priced, assessed, patented, licensed, authorized, recommended, admonished, prevented, reformed, set right, corrected.

Government means to be subjected to tribute, trained, ransomed, exploited, monopolized, extorted, pressured, mystified, robbed; all in the name of public utility and the general good.

Then, at the first sign of resistance or word of complaint, one is repressed, fined, despised, vexed, pursued, hustled, beaten up, garroted, imprisoned, shot, machine-gunned, judged, sentenced, deported, sacrificed, sold, betrayed, and to cap all, ridiculed, mocked, outraged and dishonored.

That is government, that is its justice and its morality! ...

O human personality! How can it be that you have cowered in such subjection for ... centuries?"

- Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. - George Bernard Shaw

Forum: God Bless the Philippines

Sabtang

Vbyssey — Fri, 21 Oct 2005 10:25:06 GMT

BATANES: Nominated to the UNESCO World Heritage List

Preserving the Batanes Archipelago and Ivatan Landscape

BATANES is an outstanding example of biodiversity and integration. Nature and culture have been

intertwined for many centuries in an effort to resist an incredibly harsh climate. The resilience and

adaptation of the inhabitants and of nature over time is absolutely remarkable and the site is certainly

worthy for inscription in the World Heritage List.

The sites -

Batan Island: Landscape, hedgerows (windbreakers), fauna and flora, archaeological sites

Itbayat: Coral outcrop and distinctive vernacular morphology

Sabtang: Coral reefs, architecture, hill fortresses (idjangs) and boat-shaped burial grounds.

Statement of Outstanding Universal Value

The Batanes cultural landscape in the Philippines represents a historical meeting point for several

simultaneous cultural transmissions across a significant portion of the world; the resilience of ecology

and civilisation in one of the worlds harshest natural environments; ecosystems and a culture under

significant threat from globalising influences; a laboratory of knowledge applicable to low-cost settlement

design, disaster mitigation, and site management; and finally, an unparalleled opportunity to continue

values useful to 21st century decision-making in all areas of life. Source: UNESCO

Forum: Preserving the Batanes Archipelago

Itbayat

Vbyssey — Fri, 21 Oct 2005 10:23:24 GMT

BATANES: Nominated to the UNESCO World Heritage List

Preserving the Batanes Archipelago and Ivatan Landscape

BATANES is an outstanding example of biodiversity and integration. Nature and culture have been

intertwined for many centuries in an effort to resist an incredibly harsh climate. The resilience and

adaptation of the inhabitants and of nature over time is absolutely remarkable and the site is certainly

worthy for inscription in the World Heritage List.

The sites -

Batan Island: Landscape, hedgerows (windbreakers), fauna and flora, archaeological sites

Itbayat: Coral outcrop and distinctive vernacular morphology

Sabtang: Coral reefs, architecture, hill fortresses (idjangs) and boat-shaped burial grounds.

Statement of Outstanding Universal Value

The Batanes cultural landscape in the Philippines represents a historical meeting point for several

simultaneous cultural transmissions across a significant portion of the world; the resilience of ecology

and civilisation in one of the worlds harshest natural environments; ecosystems and a culture under

significant threat from globalising influences; a laboratory of knowledge applicable to low-cost settlement

design, disaster mitigation, and site management; and finally, an unparalleled opportunity to continue

values useful to 21st century decision-making in all areas of life. Source: UNESCO

Forum: Preserving the Batanes Archipelago

Mainland Batanes

Vbyssey — Thur, 20 Oct 2005 10:10:38 GMT

BATANES: Nominated to the UNESCO World Heritage List

Preserving the Batanes Archipelago and Ivatan Landscape

BATANES is an outstanding example of biodiversity and integration. Nature and culture have been

intertwined for many centuries in an effort to resist an incredibly harsh climate. The resilience and

adaptation of the inhabitants and of nature over time is absolutely remarkable and the site is certainly

worthy for inscription in the World Heritage List.

The sites -

Batan Island: Landscape, hedgerows (windbreakers), fauna and flora, archaeological sites

Itbayat: Coral outcrop and distinctive vernacular morphology

Sabtang: Coral reefs, architecture, hill fortresses (idjangs) and boat-shaped burial grounds.

Statement of Outstanding Universal Value

The Batanes cultural landscape in the Philippines represents a historical meeting point for several

simultaneous cultural transmissions across a significant portion of the world; the resilience of ecology

and civilisation in one of the worlds harshest natural environments; ecosystems and a culture under

significant threat from globalising influences; a laboratory of knowledge applicable to low-cost settlement

design, disaster mitigation, and site management; and finally, an unparalleled opportunity to continue

values useful to 21st century decision-making in all areas of life. Source: UNESCO

Forum: Preserving the Batanes Archipelago

On the open fields and hills of Batanes!

Vbyssey — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 16:33:27 GMT

On the open fields and hills of Batanes!

On the open fields and hills of Batanes, I first learned the character of the Ivatan, hard-working and honest, and as hopeful as the break of day.

Chanatuan Fields

Forum: Welcome to the Board

MESSAGE BOARD

AFP unrest, The few, the proud, the marines

HUMAN RIGHTS, New dictator in the Palace

On the offensive

SINUNGALING, OPORTUNISTA AT NANDAYA LANG SI GLORIA

July 1, 1867 - Happy Birthday, Canada!

June 19, 1861 - Dr. Jos Rizal

Dr. Jos Rizal

June 12, 1898 - The Philippine Declaration of Independence

D-Day, June 6, 1944 - The Valour of Friends and Foes alike!

The Trustees of the Imperial War Museum, London

Asian Spirit flies to Laoag City

Fly to Batanes

Proud of Mayor Juan Caballero and his police force

Its the Philippine government who should be protesting the violation of its sovereignty

Its the Philippine government who should be

protesting the violation of its sovereignty

All we gave the Batanes Coast Guard Command was a sidewalk

The Conquistadores lost their ... and

never set foot again on Isabtang soil

More power to the Mayor, and more firepower, please

To be governed

Sabtang

Itbayat

Mainland Batanes

On the open fields and hills of Batanes!

Its the Philippine government who should be

protesting the violation of its sovereignty