Singapore's army is a softie

This picture of a maid, possibly a Filipina, walking behind a Singaporean army while tinkering a gadget in his hand has created a lot of debate in cyberspace. It even forced the Ministry of Defense in Singapore to issue a statement that the concerned soldier is remorseful of what he did in public.

I don't know how the Singaporean military operates but the picture would tell a lot, not just a thousand stories about the Singaporean army, and maybe will go down in the history as, uniquely Singapore. 

What's wrong with a maid bringing a rucksack of an army? There are a lot of wrongs here, and I can see a few-

I can deduce that Singaporean armies are pampered and spoiled brats. Brats could get worst. It could mean that a maid is doing the works of a military in a Singapore army camp- laundry, cleanup, shine shoes. Soon Singapore will be bringing maids when they go to war. Knowing their advanced technology, they could just sit in air-conditioned bunkers while their maids do the direct encounters with enemies. Isn't that cool?

Singapore's affluence, while worth for the green eye, has given us a picture of snobbery and aloofness. And like what its soldier was doing, Singapore could as well just be like its neighbors who could do nothing without helpers at their side. Maybe that is the main reason why a lot of Filipinos go there. That, aside from being a softie.

But in a way, bringing a maid to camp, is much much better than siphoning billions of pesos from the coffers of the military. The Philippine military could do well with that. Not the maid, of course.

More readings about the pic above:

Randy David: Every picture tells a story

David Boey (Senang Diri): Singapore's defence burden- Something no maid can carry

Picture from blog.omy.sg

HUWAG TULARAN

Is it about position? Your status in the echelonic mentality that is deeply rooted in our mentality and obviously affirmed by the lower strata? Is it about kaartehan? What's with us Filipinos?

This picture I received from the email today says who we are and what we are. No exemption.

A couple of days ago, an embarrasing scene was played on TV when a flip general was carried on someone else's shoulder so he wouldn't get wet when he stepped out of a banca. The American officer on the other hand waded on the water without any help. Can you see the symbolisms on why the Philippines have problems?

I think the Filipino General should be fired. How could he win the war against the Abu Sayaff? Eh, tubig lang takot na siya. Nakakahiya!! Lalong nakakahiya doon sa Kano na kasunod niya. BAGONG PEDICURE SIGURO ANG LOKO...

(That general is supposed to be Brig Gen Marciano Ilagan, whoever he is.)

Follow the link for a funnier version of this scene- Hay!Men, my idol!

Terrorists in our midst

I really hate politics!

Recent events in the country that also focused on the issue of the Visiting Forces Agreement is getting dumb and dumber. Come on, kill me for airing my side.

My ignorance about this VFA shit might be glaring. Who cares? But I am asking- Who would help us eradicate the Abu Sayaff and other stray Muslim extremists? Congressman Palparan? First Gentleman Mike Arroyo?

The government has promised the Filipino people that it would annihilate specifically the Abu Sayaff. That remains a promise. We could not even get hold of a small band of leftists called NPA. They are ill-equipped since I was not born but until now they are there, another reason for the government military to become corrupt.

Are we willing to be terrorized everyday in our lives with these bandits because of our national "pride"?

Or we just love seeing these people below disturbing our peace and be willing victims of their selfish cause all in the name of pakikibaka? Have they defended us against terrorists?

(pictures from banbalikatan.wordpress.com, China Economic Net, salikodngtabing.wordpress.com, marinecorpstimes.com, themustardseed.wordpress.com)

Philippine Military (and Government) Inutile

I just could not get it. For so long the Philippine government could not eradicate the very small armed groups in the country. Every time I see a news about some high ranking military officials promising to stamp out the NPA (for example) I could not help but curse the military.

For how come a small group of bandits, without proper training, some of them not even wearing tsinelas, could outsmart the military who have gone to formal military training and has the manpower to pursue those bandits?

I understood very well why the Americans were defeated during the Vietnam war because they did not know the terrain of the country. But Filipino military on Philippine soil saying they are not familiar with the terrain is plain bullshit.

And the civilian populace suffered because of these incompetence, ineptitude, wastefulness, etc. Name it, the military is pure kapalpakan.


(The picture is not provided by the military but by www.pcij.org)

A Cheap Way to Regain Trust

I find it funny when the President of the Philippines, with the help of the military, issued a desperate attempt to recover the Filipinos' faith and trust on her leadership. C'mon! Kumikita na yan. Wala na bang ibang pakulo? Tatablan pa ba si GMA?

Philippine President Said Target of Plot
by Oliver Teves, AP Writer

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities have uncovered alleged plots by al-Qaida-linked militants to assassinate the Philippine president and bomb foreign embassies, officials said Thursday.

Military chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said the assassination plot allegedly was hatched by the extremist Abu Sayyaf group and its Indonesia-based ally, Jemaah Islamiyah.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Prestoza, head of the Presidential Security Group said police uncovered the plot last week.

"It's not only the president who is the target, but also other people ... and embassies," he said without offering specifics.

The reports followed an announcement by security forces that they were going on high alert over an alleged communist rebel plan to infiltrate protests to demand Arroyo's resignation over corruption charges.

The officials did not specify when the attack was expected to occur. But Prestoza said Arroyo's attendance at an alumni homecoming of the Philippine Military Academy on Saturday in northern Baguio city has been canceled and the rest of her schedule was "under assessment."

Duh!

Speaking of Kasungitan

Maybe I am the only masungit around.

We were walking around Cebu and we saw a group of military men (in black camouflage) also "walking" around town. Military visibility? Maybe because Cebu is getting hazardous to the mind and body nowadays. (Imagine yourself having a good time at the sidewalk, strumming a guitar, friends around singing AND SUDDENLY motorcycle-riding hooligans fires a live bullet at you. You are so DEAD for no reason at all. Because you were at the sidewalk at the wrong time? Damn!)

Anyways, back to the camouflaged military men. They are the most agile group almost cat-like. They walk around silently. And they are the sweetest of men. They would greet you, Good evening sir. How are you sir? Wow! That's quite impressive. If only all military men are like that.

Which brings me back to our tour at Rajah Sikatuna National Park. We also met camouflaged men there complete with firearms. They should humiliate us just with their firearms but they were the most helpful of men, magalang and very gentlemanly even with men.

MAYBE THE POLICE FORCE SHOULD CHANGE THEIR IMAGE and make gaya-gaya with these military men...

(Of course they are not the usual policemen. Policemen are masungit like me. (Or so I thought I was the only masungit around.) Maybe I should be a police too hahahaha. Foolish of me.)