Today is Wednesday, September 20, 2017, the first day of the rest of our lives… Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift – that’s why it’s called the present!
Welcome to the Philippine Dreams weekly Livecast, where I regularly attempt to address issues that could affect foreigners living, studying working, retiring or doing basically anything in the Philippines. I’ll talk about the good, the bad and the occasional downright ugly of day-to-day life in our humble little archipelago.
Remember that the information presented in this Livestream is just that – objective information taken from international media sources. Wherever possible, I have tried to corroborate the provided news with other sources. Also note that I am NOT expressing my opinion on these issues – merely presenting the facts.
The Livestream’s comment section is open. Ask questions, goof around but just try to keep it respectful. If you’re gonna be a dickweed, you’re gonna get pulled. As in banned. As in come back next time with another anonymous username.
This week I’ll be talking the major shakeup with the Philippines National Police in the NCR and continued strife between the President of the Philippines and the head of the Commision of Human Rights in the Philippines.
But first….
This Weeks Corporate Sponsor
This weeks returning corporate sponsor is thin and cheap Chinese towels. Featured in such high-end local outlets as Unitop and Tops and Bottoms, cheap and thin Chinese towels take the mildew out of Philippines mildew season by providing colorful, quick drying after-shower or swim delights. Meticulously fabricated by 100% organic and locally sourced exfoliated Chinese chicken, cheap Chinese towels provide an ideal alternative to the thick and slow drying “luxurious” terry towels that you find in the West. Cheap and thin Chinese towels – get yours today!!!
YouTube
For some reason You Tube doesn’t seem to like my Livecasts, having demonetized the last three shows that I have done. One of the purposes behind this broadcast is to talk about (or at least acknowledge) some of the uglier things that are transpiring in our humble little archipelago. Despite this demonetization, I will probably try to continue with the format as I believe that showing both the good and the bad of the Philippines are equally important.
Which brings me to….
Patreon: Believe it or not, the work I do on the You Tube channel and website is actually work – a good deal of work. If you’ve found what I do to be of some value, consider supporting the ongoing efforts on my Patreon site. To make things easy, just click on the Patreon box below.
And continued thanks once again to everyone who has supported this site. It is sincerely appreciated!
Open Channel and Website
Philippine Dreams is now an open channel. If you are a smaller channel and are looking for free promotion, shoot me an email at myphilippinedreams@gmail.com . This applies to both foreigners living in the Philippines and native Filipinos. If you are a musician, part of a dance crew, possessed of beautiful travel vlogs, knowledgeable on Filipino culture, traditions and mythology, an avid scuba diver or snorkeler – or just about anything and everything to do with the Philippines, this offer is for you. Same applies to my website – if you want to guest write an article relating your experiences in the Philippines, just let me know.
In short, Philippine Dreams is no longer my channel. It’s our channel.
NOTE: I will have final say on what does and does not get posted. Gotta try to maintain some semblance of quality…..
TRIVIA QUESTION
Last week’s trivia question:
Considered by many to be the first Philippines hero, this gentlemen was involved in a major battle on Cebu Island in 1521 and now has a big red fish named after him . Who is this Philippines hero? The correct answer was of course Lapu Lapu (whom I like to refer to as the Philippines first Bureau of Immigration officer) and Peter T. and Bruce B were both sent a free copy of my ebook, Chasing Your Philippine Dream: An Expat’s Guide to the Philippines.
Dbcoop, Edwin A, Chris S., Ron H., John, Mixmaster Dave, Gene N, Matt G, Travis A, and Kenton M. also answered the trivia question but were either incorrect or not one of the first two correct answers.
This week’s trivia question:
This former professional wrestler was probably one of the greatest “heel” (bad guy) commentators of all time. Teamed up with his “face” partner, Gorilla Monsoon, this cerebral worker just passed away this week at the age of 72. The first two people to email the name of this heel commentator to myphilippinedreams@gmail.com get a free copy of our book, a $10.95 value at any of your local book retailers.
The correct answers are in and free copies of my book are on their way to Doug the Painting Guy and Greg R. for noting that the Ultimate Heel Commentator was indeed Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. RIP, brother.
First up……
Entire Caloocan City Police Force Fired
The Caloocan city police force was recently fired (reassigned, actually) following the questionable killings of three teenagers and released CCTV footage showing some of the police force robbing a house. The 1,200 affected officers will be relieved of duty in “batches” and will receive 45 days of ‘re-training’ after which they will be reassigned to other police units.
The three teenagers include Kian Delos Santos (17), Carl Angelo Arnaiz (19) and Reynaldo de Guzman (14). The Department of Justice started an investigation in the delos Santos slaying weeks ago (read more about it HERE) and the parents of Arnaiz and de Guzman have also filed murder, evidence planting and torture charges against two Caloocan police officers.
The death of delos Santos under very questionable circumstances was followed shortly afterwards by the killing of Arnaiz. Police testimony noted that the former University of the Philippines student was shot dead during an exchange of gunfire after he allegedly robbed a taxi driver. That testimony was later refuted by a government forensic specialist who noted that Arnaiz was apparently handcuffed, tortured and then shot five times. According to his parents, Arnaiz had left his home with the younger De Guzman (aged 14) to purchase some snacks. They never returned home. Arnaiz’s body was found in a city morgue 10 days later. De Guzman’s body was discovered a short time later floating in a creek north of Manila. The teen’s body was perforated with 28 stab wounds and his head was wrapped in packing tape.
To add to the continuing controversy, CCTV footage taken a few weeks back also caught 13 Caloocan officers apparently robbing a house during a drug raid.
In related news, a police officer from Manila allegedly shot one of the soon-to-be fired officers of the Caloocan city police force after an argument over a tooth pick. The Manila officer apparently got into an argument over a toothpick with a civilian patron at a local eatery. The civilian apparently left the resto and returned later in the company of a Caloocan police officer. The police officer from Manila apparently pulled his gun and fired at the civilian but accidentally hit the police officer from Caloocan. The injured officer is now recovering from his gunshot wound while a manhunt is on for the police officer from Manila.
Balikbayan Box Update
Have still not received any reports of anyone being hit for the new BB regulation fees and tariffs. A number of people have noted, however, that the paperwork required for the sender is now a lot more involved – complete listings of every item in the box is now required.
And now onto the next bit of news….
President Duterte to Head of CHR – Are You A Pedophile?
The president of the Philippines teased Chito Gascon, the head of the Philippines Commission on Human Rights this past week, asking him if he was a pedophile. The question issued by the firebrand president is a result of Gascon’s objections to the recent killings of three teenagers in Caloocan, allegedly by members of the city’s police force which is now being fired en-masse.
As to the comments on Gascon, Duterte publicly asked, “Why is this guy so pre…suffocated (sic) with the issue of young people – especially boys? Are you a pedophile?” Later, he continued, “Why are you smitten with teenagers? Are you? I’m having my doubts. Are you gay or pedophile?”
President Duterte has had issues with Gascon and the Commission for Human Rights since taking office, with the Commission strongly objecting to the thousands of Filipino citizens who have died during the nation’s war against drugs. The president has also stated that he believes that Gascon is a spokesman for the opposition to his policies and continued scrutiny of aggressive anti-drug activities conducted by the Philippines national police.
“Why can’t you move on to other issues that are besetting this country?” the President asked of his head of Human Rights.
The actual spokenswomen for the Commission of Human Rights said of President Duterte’s comments, “These are remarks that do not show respect for the dignity of others. The public must understand that the death of children concerns us all as they are especially vulnerable and need state protection.”
And finally, in related news:
Anti-Duterte protests are planned this week for September 21, which just happens to be the 45th anniversary of the start of martial law under the Marcos regime. This past Friday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana warned the citizens of the Philippines that the President may expand martial law nationally if the upcoming protests against his rule become overly disruptive or violent.
And finally, the battle in Mindano against insurgent ISIS forces still straggles on, the “Rocket Man” in North Korea is still having fun playing with his growing nuclear arsenal, and god only knows what’s going on in ‘Murica – I try not to look.
Time to get another Pilsen delivery….
So the 1200 police officers from Caloocan were not fired at all,they were disciplined, are being retrained and reassigned to different divisions. This is far from being fired. Fired means you are removed permanently from your job. I’m sure that this will help any problems they were having I. This division and will send a message across all police divisions that this behavior won’t be tolerated.
Mr Bato will need some new staff for the Marawi police station once the AFP have stabilised the situation there.
I’m not sure how many of the 1200 will still be welcome working in Caloocan after they have been retrained but freshly trained (retrained) staff may just be what they need in Marawi.
Hopefully none of them get sent to Negros to replace the 6(?) Officers killed by the NPA.
But that is just me jumping to conclusions that all 1200 are bad instead of just a few rotten eggs spoiling the reputation of the PNP in Caloocan.