MIKEINMANILA EXCLUSIVE: UPDATE 3
13 bikes, 3 ATVs, SUVs, sports cars, guns galore and more recovered in a major raid. Second raid recovers around two dozen more bikes. NBI in Northern Mindanao identifies alleged owner of car dealerships as professional rider and car & bike dealer, report says 25 cars and 18 bikes recovered in major transpacific anti-grand theft auto raid.

One mans search for his unique Martin Bro’s custom ride leads to major bike gang GTA bust in Mindanao. PHOTO Law Enforcement handout

The story reads like a plot for Die Hard Six, for Skip Woods, the writer of Die Hard 5, GI Joe The Rise of Cobra, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine.It’s often said the best stories are true to life. For the plot,  which would also fit on Fox’s ‘The Good Guys’, it starts from the simple recovery of a stolen vehicle —  a motorcycle,  a Martin Brothers original. Key figures:  a ‘major writer’  based in Texas who works in  Hollywood.

He loves his bike, a custom Martin Brothers bike. He loved long drives and would head out from wide open spaces in California to flatlands and expanse of open space of the Southwest to Texas. Reality paints a better picture than film here… he and his bike he loved – a man free to roam.

The bike and him were inseparable, then, his bike was stolen in Houston Texas.The writer, Skip Woods, like any other victim went to Police, who traced the bike theft to a gang that ships expensive American-made motorcycles like Harleys and his Martin Brothers custom to Asia via Mexico and Los Angeles.

One mans search for his unique Martin Bro’s custom ride leads to major bike gang GTA bust in Mindanao. PHOTO: Law Enforcement handout

Not content to go out and buy a new one with insurance money, he hired private investigators, Orion Support Inc., who traced the bike and upon that, the custom bike was seen in Asia in the Philippines.

Tuesday, led by local Philippine National Police Provincial Director  Buboy Mijares, Agent Wency Galindez of NBI Cagayan De Oro, along with US Law enforcement – at least one FBI agent and OSI private invetigators – the team searching for the rare bike found much more than Skip’s bike.

Cars allegedly among those seized in major US Philipine Anti-GTA operation in Cagayan de Oro.

In what US and Philippine authorities are calling, “One of the most successful joint operations,” versus stolen cars from the USA to Asia; 25 cars and 18 Super-bikes are now in the custody of the Philippine National Police. In total; the National Bureau of Investigation agent in charge for northern Mindanao told a local newspaper in Cagayan de Oro, while Police in Davao City are also looking into if any of the cars or bikes had reached the largest city in Mindanao.

Pacific Plaza: Abu Sayyaf member ‘security guard’ arrested diplomats raise alarm

Bill and Melinda Gates arriving in Manila – photo was tagged to me on a social networking site by a anonymous source.

It was supposed to be a quiet weekend for Bill and Melinda at the ultra-plush seven star Amanpulo resort in the province I call home here in the Philippines. But, even the best kept secrets have a way of leaking and when one of the worlds richest and most influential men drop into the country for a quiet weekend with his wife and friends the social network happy and blogspere of the Philippines won’t let the story pass unnoticed.

Bill and Melinda, arrived quietly on friday for what seems to have been a very happy weekend; what they did, where they went, and whom they saw was supposed to be private.

But another guest at the resort -a philippine construction king’s family as well his and friends were there and now the secrets out of the bag.

Well one can’t blame katrina razon who just announced in a simple tweet on the 26th about Bill and Melinda’s, awesome adventure

 

Bill and Melinda’s adventure starts with a private jet arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport

More at www.mikeinmanila.com

As if the Philippines has not had enough of bad weather the US Navy and US Air Force Joint typhoon warning center is forecasting a direct path to Manila for a new Typhoon with a international name Mirinae, the Korean word for ‘Galaxy’,

The Storm is forecast by Military and Civilian meteorologists to be in general vicinity of Manila by Halloween evening, meaning that a fast moving storm may the one knocking on doors in the Philippines instead of  kids trick or treating and the rap tap tapping on the chanber door may be people telling residents to head for higher ground, if anything is consolation the storm being fast moving means a quick slam-bam-thank-you ma’am hit which in disaster terms is often kinder than a prolonged deluge that no one in the country wants to see more off.

The Typhoon is a medium sized one and its path taking it towards manila comes at a bad time for thousands who have just cleaned away debris from flood waters. Lake levels and dams have somewhat normalized at this time a week of hot dry weather with only occasional showers has had a impact on the water levels.

The other consolation is the three weeks of storms as well as constant pounding has brought the alert levels up for disaster awareness teams and those who deal with rescue and response. The season still has till February to go the last few years have relatively spared the capitol region in the past but the wave of storms is actually quite typical in number albeit these have come earlier than normal for the country.

In comparison at this time before Typhoon Lupits approach to the country, Manila’s NDCC was already posting advisories and taking steps. Plans so well laid out that at the end of the day – no one died – no one needed to be rescued and even if the storm did not hit but a small portion of the Northern most tip of Luzon.

Ramil’s preventive steps perhaps – but I hope not – will not allow some to fall back to complacency and being prepared for worst made for the best of news – even for me a journalist – who basically earns from bad news. (Sorry but – if it bleeds it leads! Sad but true in the news biz!) became a non-story for a change.

Ramil final NDCC Situational Update

A. Affected Population/Pre-emptive Evacuation of Population (Details in Tab A)

· A total of 1,271 families / 5,239 persons conducted pre-emptive evacuation in 43

barangays, 19 municipalities and 2 cities in 7 provinces of Regions I, II and CAR

Reg/Prov/City No. of NO. OF AFFECTED

Brgys

Affected FAM PERS

NO. OF

EVACUATION

CENTERS

I – Ilocos Norte, La Union,

Pangasinan (Dagupan City)

12 390 1,370 0

II – Cagayan, Isabela 13 433 1,852 0

CAR – Benguet, Mt. Province 18 448 2,017 19

· As of 24 October, evacuees had returned to their homes except in the

Province of Benguet where 402 families / 1,866 persons are still inside 19

evacuation centers

Ramil Damage

· In Region II, forty-five (45) houses were damaged, with 16 totally and 29 partially

all in Aparri, Cagayan, to include three (3) houses were totally damaged when a

20-meter seawall collapsed in San Antonio, Aparri, Cagayan on 20 October due to

storm surge causing 65 families / 182 persons to evacuate: 41 families/78 persons at

Brgy. Maura and 24 families/104 persons at Brgy San Antonio

Typhoon Santi headed to towards Luzon but will not affect the country in next 24 hours per PAGASA

PAGASA Warning:  Mirinae to be named ‘Santi’ once it enters RP area of responsibility

The drugs that poisons our youth and through enablers in power whose corruption turns a blind eye or tawrts efforts to allow them to ply the trade that is for most Filipino families a product that is the root of all evil and sum of all fear of every parent . Philippine government is already waging a war against “narco-politics” which is happening in the country and as election time nears rears its ugly head.

As the focus moves in media towards the 2010 national and local elections few major reports seem to be covering it. One wonders why little attention is paid to the the fact that there is a narcotics cabal of organized crime in our midst and they do influence media and government if not in cash – then in kind- I remember a coverage I did and the reply of senior NARCOM official on the drug gangs influence on society. The general who has pass away told me on background to not look so far away – that media itself was influenced by the narcotics trade.

The general told me, “If drug tests on broadcast journalists, columnists, and, editors were conducted I wonder how many would pass? and if any would take them if the results were made public? “Yes, I think in a at least a few cases off hand the reality that drug use in media outlets exist must be admitted. But then again the problem is throughout society.

The late general also admitted that aside from the Media which is a mirror of society; Government agencies, even the Police force has problems with some members addicted to narcotics. But the general went on to say, “Media however is a scary thought, since it shapes public opinion,” and he added “When in some few cases at a editorial board meeting or story conference more than just the days reports are passed around behind closed doors one wonders what kind of reporting happens in a cloud of smoke or if the razor lines of a mirror are present.” The General never went into too many details he later was transferred out of NARCOM to another PNP unti and passed away. He never identified anyone in particular but hinted that back in 90’s the problem of nacro-politics and influence was wide-spread.

In a news release – Deputy presidential spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Malacañang. “Are alarmed on the possible use of drug money to influence the outcome of the elections next year.”  Fajardo said that, “President Arroyo was very much concerned over the possibility of “narco-politics” occurring in the country and showing its influence in the 2010 elections, particularly at the local level.”

She added that there are “Some corrupt politicians who are using drug money so they can push their political ambitions to be able to get a juicy government positions.” noting the key word some – and not seeking to elaborate on identities.

“Our political leaders, especially local government officials, should partner with President Arroyo or the national government in the all-out war against illegal drugs,” adding further that in light of this people should come forward and report those involved to expose them. ”If there is evidence that politicians are behind these kind of sickening activities, they will not be spared no matter how far and wide their influence is,” she said. ”Mrs. Arroyo is serious in combating this spread of illegal drugs and we cannot discount the possibility that it could be a factor that drug money could be used in the coming elections and we have to do something about that,” Fajardo said.

“This road project will benefit not only the people of Impasugong or Bukidnon but also the neighboring areas,” she explained. The President, assisted by Bukidnon Governor Ma. Jose Zubiri Jr., Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Rep. Candido Pancrudo, lowered the time capsule containing the project’s plan. Governor Zubiri informed the President that the AusAID project will cover some 160 kilometers of all-weather roads.

“This is something new for Bukidnon and this was made possible through the efforts of the President and our good relations with the Australian government,” he said. Australian Charge d’Affaires Steve Scott said the Philippines is an “important partner of Australia,” adding that the funds were made available to the Philippines because of “good governance and good execution of AusAID projects.” The road project is under the Southern Philippines Provincial Road Maintenance Program (SPPRMP) that covers 10 provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao and is funded with some 100 million Australian dollars or around P3.5 billion by the Australian government through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

The program has a Provincial Road Maintenance Facility (PRMF) that provides P50 million each year to every beneficiary province for construction and repair of provincial roads over a five-year period. It has been noted that provincial roads are the key links of rural communities to the national highway and eventually to the centers of trade and commerce, political administration, and health and educational services, among others.

By improving transport, the welfare of rural folks will significantly improve.

Apart from improving the road network, the program also seeks to strengthen each province’s institutional capacity and governance system related to the provision and maintenance of provincial roads. Depending on the performance of each beneficiary province in carrying out the program, these could be eligible for another round of assistance. The beneficiary provinces of the SPPRMP are Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental and Surigao del Norte, in Mindanao; and Bohol and Guimaras in the Visayas.

Three more beneficiary provinces are still to be identified.

Within five years, the SPPRMP is principally expected to have rehabilitated at least 1,000 kilometers of provincial roads in the 10 provinces; improved access for over four million people to schools and health centers; and reduced transport costs.

The PRMF is said to be Australia’s single largest grant project in the Philippines to date; the bilateral agreement covering this was signed last March. Australia is the country’s second largest bilateral grant aid donor after Japan. Its aid program has grown significantly in the last three years. For the fiscal year 2008-2009, its assistance portfolio is estimated at Aus 109 million dollars.

In a press briefing in Bukidnon the press secretary Cerge Reymonde that, “Malacanang is consistent with its desire to attain poll automation and that President Arroyo has earlier reiterated that there will be elections next year.” He added that the Arroyo administration, “Trusts the Supreme Court in handling controversial cases.”
Remonde was referring to a case motin filed before the SC by the “Concerned Citizens Movement” which is seeking the Supreme Court to among other thins “Stop the Commission on Elections from releasing payments for the automation project.”

Remonde stressed that, “We believe that Supreme Court knows what is best, and they know how to handle the particular issues,” The Press secretary also pointed out that. “The direction of President Arroyo’s administration is clear and that it supports the full automation of the 2010 polls. ”

Meanwhile, “The CCM has asked the High Court to nullify the Comelec deal with Smartmatic and Total Information Management” the Palace press release went on to say.

It had earlier questioned the legality of the contract and requested the court to issue a temporary restraining order on the signing of the deal on July 10. Although the court did not stop the signing, it set a hearing on July 29.

The link between JI spiritual leader Abu Bakar Bashir and the latest attack on the 17th in Jakarta of jemaah islamiyah has been established according to local media reports in Jakarta.
One of the bodies recovered from the scene of the blast has been identified as a former student of his Madrassa in central Indonesia.

• Jakarta Bombings: Manila Police on high alert vs. JI attacks – 40 mobile checkpoints
• Analysis: STRATFOR says JI resurgence led by new violent faction
• Jakarta Bombings: JI ‘Spiritual leader’ Bashir called for ‘New Jihad July 14′
• Jakarta Bombing:Noordin Top & J.I. new faction “from Mindanao”
• Were Mindanao trained JI bombers used in Jakarta blasts – report

NEWS REPORTS:

Jakarta Bomb Probe Turns to Malaysia as Terrorist Leader Sought

Jemaah Islamiyah is also blamed for the 2003 bombing at the same Marriott hotel in Jakarta that killed 12 people, a 2004 blast outside the Australian …

JI’s Noordin not in Malaysia, says Hisham Malaysia Star

Associates grilled Straits Times

Malaysia questions 3 suspected JI sympathizers Philippine Star

Kiwi Jakarta bombing victim remembered

Stuff.co.nz – Michael Fox – ‎

The family of the New Zealander killed in last Friday’s twin bombings in Indonesia has released a statement recalling a …

Issues of the day: ‘Jakarta hotel blasts’

Jakarta Post – ‎Post-explosion: Antiterrorist officers check the site of a powerful bomb explosion at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jakarta. Bomb explosions at two of Jakarta’s …

Market ignores terrorist bombs

Jakarta Post – ‎3 hours ago‎

The Indonesian financial market has apparently ignored the terrorist bombing attacks that rocked the JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels in Jakarta on …

Indonesia Tracks Bombers’ Identities

Voice of America – ‎By VOA News Indonesian investigators are working to identify the two suicide bombers and victims killed in last week’s Jakarta hotel bombings. …

Indonesian tv identifies another bomber

Xinhua – Mu Xuequan – ‎

JAKARTA, July 21 (Xinhua) — An Indonesian television on Tuesday evening unveiled identity of another suicide bomber at Ritz Carlton Hotel as Ibrahim, …

Tape of mass murderer checking in at Marriott

The Australian – Stephen Fitzpatrick – ‎

THIS is the moment death cast its shadow over the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, two days ahead of last Friday’s bomb blast. The man thought to have been the …

New CCTV of Jakarta bomb attacks

BBC News – ‎‎

CCTV footage showing the inside of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Jakarta as two bombs explode has been aired on Indonesian television. The blasts hit two luxury …

Two Of Dead In Jakarta Hotel Blasts Identified As Dutch Couple

Bernama – Mohd Nasir – ‎‎

JAKARTA, July 21 (Bernama) — Indonesian police Tuesday confirmed that two of the nine people killed in the bomb blasts at two hotels …

Video footage released of Jakarta bombers

Times Online – Jenny Booth – ‎‎

Police in Indonesia released CCTV footage today of two suicide bombers checking into the luxury Jakarta hotels that they blew up last Friday. …

Marriott bomber suspected to be Noordin devotee

Brisbane Times – Tom Allard – ‎Getting in … security camera footage shows a guest arriving at the Marriott hotel with a bag that bypasses security. Photo: Metro TV NUR HASBI, …

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