JoeAm’s findings: Day 2 of the Senate hearing on the Battle of Mamasapano

Posted by JoeAm on February 10, 2015 · 169 Comments 

If you ever doubt the quality and capability of the Philippine leadership, and the potential for good executive leadership, just pull up a tape of this senate hearing and watch the new cadre of (mostly) young, passionate, intelligent senators in action. There were no politics today, just a sharp focus on the issue at hand, understanding … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

JoeAm’s findings, Senate hearing on the Battle of Mamasapano, Day 1

Posted by JoeAm on February 9, 2015 · 35 Comments 

Let me just highlight the key points I extracted from today’s 5 hour meeting of the joint Senate committee hearing on the Battle of Mamasapano in which 44 SAF forces, 18 (or more) MILF/BIFF forces, and four civilians were killed. I will go for the meaning without the background. I presume you know all the … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, USA/Americans

The BBL on defense and policing: changes are needed

Posted by JoeAm on February 8, 2015 · 60 Comments 

This is the second in a series of blogs aimed at understanding key issues in the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). The first established the general framework of the law (“Our own intellectual Truth Commission, starting with the BBL”). This one takes up the matter of defense and policing. In the BBL, Defense is focused on … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government

Our own intellectual Truth Commission, starting with the BBL

Posted by JoeAm on February 5, 2015 · 25 Comments 

As the Philippine National government, or “Central government” as it is termed in the Bangsmoro Basic Law (BBL), wrestles with the aftermath of a horrid battle in the cornfields of Mindanao, let us take a different approach. The official government investigations will center on the battlefield and from that consider the BBL. We will start … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Religion

BBL, MILF, BIFF, PNP, AFP, CIA and ISIS

Posted by JoeAm on January 28, 2015 · 103 Comments 

As with many topics, I don’t have full knowledge or complete conviction in my opinions. I put one version out here, as close as I can get to what I think is right, and leave it to the discussion to correct or re-aim the matter. This one I will break into two components: (1) the … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government, USA/Americans