Pirate attack Phillipines ?

[Pelagic]

As Arthur's link mentioned.... thinks have been fairly quiet and peaceful here in the Philippines for a few years as the present Gov has defused a number of local conflicts.
However 2016 is national election year and that is when these types of attacks raise their ugly heads as ways for them to improve their collection of "revolutionary tax"...which is an annual protection scam.

My hope is that this can quickly be negotiated and not turned political.

[tinkrman69]

Oh,and by the way-the olde broken bottle shards in cement wall top has been around in France for at least a hundred years.
But yes-the depth of poverty is just crushing and certainly not unavoidable in this age.Corruption,disgusting greed animal people of wealth


All the Best[/QUOTE]

so true. I've seen it everywhere I've gone. the most glaring human character defect...GREED!! and those same people turn and look with disgust at the people they have trodden down. I liken them to Maria Antoinette. the native american called them "unconscious" I call them Cancerous.

everyone could live well if it weren't for the one percent.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Minggat

Sounds like terrorist, not pirates.

Very true. And an important distinction as far as cruising sailors are concerned.

[daletournier]

The majority of Filopinos are wonderful, incredibly smiley happy people that like us. Samal is a great island, im not religious yet I envy their Christianity, they practice it. This is sad on so many levels.

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[Ballenxj]

Very upsetting to hear. Pirate or terrorist, either one needs to be eliminated.

[Cap Erict3]

Originally Posted by Minggat

Sounds like terrorist, not pirates.

Are you saying u think it politically motivated as opposed to greed or poverty?


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Looking for another pretty place to work on the boat.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Cap Erict3

Are you saying u think it politically motivated as opposed to greed or poverty?
.

Yes, huge Muslim problems in parts of the Philippines. An insurgency has been going for many years, decades. But I don't know if this was in a known trouble spot.


Mark

[Cap Erict3]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Yes, huge Muslim problems in parts of the Philippines. An insurgency has been going for many years, decades. But I don't know if this was in a known trouble spot.





Mark

I have spent a bit of time in Manila and Mactan and saw a bit of the abject poverty. I have also met quite a number of Filipinos working away from home and poverty not politics seemed the great divider.

Kidnappers that hope for ransoms aren't political. Desperate? Likely.

I hope this ends well for those taken. It was one of my biggest fears when traveling with loved ones.


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Looking for another pretty place to work on the boat.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Cap Erict3

Are you saying u think it politically motivated as opposed to greed or poverty?

Just that it's not "piracy".

UNCLOS 101:
Piracy consists of any of the following acts:
(a) any illegal acts of violence or detention, or any act of depredation, committed for private ends by the crew or the passengers of a private ship or a private aircraft, and directed— (i) on the high seas, against another ship or aircraft, or against persons or property on board such ship or aircraft;(ii) against a ship, aircraft, persons or property in a place outside the jurisdiction of any State; (b) any act of voluntary participation in the operation of a ship or of an aircraft with knowledge of facts making it a pirate ship or aircraft;(c) any act of inciting or of intentionally facilitating an act described in subparagraph (a) or (b).

[TomLewis]

When in the Navy in the 70s, Mindinao was not a good place. We were told to stay away. Just ask Magellan, he was killed there. There are many places in the PI that are fantastic, this Island is also, but with risks. Too bad, wish our Marines were still in that area cleaning up. Maybe they are and this was isolated. I love the PI, praying for those folks.

[alansmith]

From what I read...it is the NPA (communist insurgency) that was involved in this incident...am I correct?


I work with over 25 people on a daily basis for the last 15 years and know them very well. I know their natures. They were all born in P.I. They have told me that when they go home for a month long visit that they even have to be careful. While stateside their skin lightens and they stick out when back home. They can become quick targets for easy pickens. I don't know if PI is the most corrupt country in the world but I would say it is right up there with the best of them for corruption. You literally can get someone you want killed out of the way for 50 dollars American. That is no joke.


I think this attack is definitely a political statement. You don't beat the crud out of your hostages while taking them. Several of the hostages jumped overboard during the fracas and they were damn smart to do it. Many of these events in PI end badly for the hostages when the military starts putting on the heat. It is almost as if the military mind set is go in an wipe them out...and if the hostages make it out alive ...cool. If not, then at least we got those jerk offs. I can think of at least 3-4 instances where military intervention has led to all hostages killed or high percentage losses. Sometimes hostages are held for years with no resolution as evidenced by google search.


So, our world is shrinking in where we can cruise with out worries. It is a shame because the Philippines is really a beautiful country. I fear for their lives.

[Pelagic]

I love it when people overreact to these unfortunate but fairly isolated and opportunistic incidences in the Philippines.... Keeps the cruising grounds and anchorages uncluttered.

[daletournier]

No offense Pelagic but maybe you should ask the yachties at Oceanview marina if they feel like they are overreacting. I've been in the Philippines for the last 12 months and do believe their is a genuine threat which is sad as I think the Philippines is just fantastic.

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[Pelagic]

No offence taken and I really feel for those who have been attacked in Davao....but my point is that murders/violent robberies-muggings happen to Cruisers all over the world, but some overreact if it is in a different cultural or 3rd world location.
I have been living/cruising in SE Asia for over 25 years with the last 15 in the Philippines and am aware of the areas that are of higher risk just as someone would know which alleys to avoid at night in their own city.
Life is a risk but the rewards justify reaching out with a friendly smile and a guarded demeanor.

[daletournier]

The problem is Samal was considered quite risk free! That's why we go there. So I feel that its quite hard now to avoid the not safe alleys as its not quite as clear as it was.

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