News and Opinion from the Bug!
The Philstar says sources tell them that USS Guardian is taking on water and sinking. Most of the crew has been evacuated. USS Guardian is sinking in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Marine Park, one of the Philippines World Heritage Sites. The vessel ran aground Thursday. The Philstar says all crew have been evacuated and are demanding [...]
A strong 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines this morning triggering tsunami warnings across Asia. I’m still trying to contact family members there. Does anyone know if tremors in Manila were strong?
The US fast attack submarine USS North Carolina surfaced in Subic Bay this weekend amidst tensions between the Southeast Asia ally and China. The picture shown right is the commissioning of SSN 777, USS North Carolina, in May 2008.
The Abu Sayyaf terrorist group has threatened to kill its Dutch, Swiss, snd Australian hostages. More at philStar
Boracay, Philippines is considering a public sex ban after some whites were seen engaging in sex acts. I applaud Boracay officials for working to bring about some public morality. I was there recently and didn’t observe anything, but it really did appear to be a place for booze and sex. Good move for Boracay.
My tour of Asia is going well except for picking up the Hong Kong funk in HK. Lots of head/chest congestion and coughing. I’ve already visited Taipei. While there I saw a large Falun Gong protest, saw some placards showing torture victims, very sad. I wonder why China considers Falun Gong such a threat? Hong [...]
AFP is reporting that Philippine troops have captured a senior Abu Sayyaf terrorist known as Tuatin Anahaly. Anahaly was arrested in connection with the kidnapping of Martin Burnham, Gracia Burnham, Ediborah Yap, Guillermo Sobero, and a group of Filipinos from Dos Palmas resort in Palawan back in 2001. The Burnham’s were missionaries based in Manila. [...]
A powerful bomb has exploded in the South Wing entrance to the Philippines’ House of Representatives. Initials reports say there are casualties and deaths. Full Report At EBRmx. The Inquirer, a Philippines daily, has this report: “I heard a loud explosion and thought at first it was thunder but realized it was too loud to [...]
The Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) has issued a gag order preventing its employees from using “Merry Christmas” as a greeting. Full Story At Xinhua News Agency.
Lance Corporal Daniel Smith was convicted today for the rape of a Filipina. Smith faces a 40 year prison sentence in a Filipino jail and financial restitution. Smith now sits in a Makati City jail. Believe me, a Filipino jail is nothing like our cushy American jails. IT IS PRISON. Nicole had accused Smith of [...]
