The Associated Press and Reuters, quoting Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) sources, reported that a $12-million ransom has been demanded for the release of Roberto Tarongoy, the second Filipino hostage in Iraq.
Our own sources tell us it is $15 million. Why such a big amount? Because it is an open secret in Baghdad that $6 million was paid for the release of hostage Angelo de la Cruz.
This has become another bone of contention between the US government and President Arroyo. This explains why earlier the US government wanted to handle the negotiations for the release of Tarongoy and an American co-employee. But as you know President Arroyo and DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo decided to go on their own and deal directly with the kidnappers, indicating they are willing to negotiate for a ransom payment.
If we can afford to pay such a big amount for Angelo de la Cruz and now for Roberto Tarongoy, then we should now offer $10,000 each for overseas Filipino workers to leave Iraq and bring them all home. Roberto Tarongoy will not be the last hostage taken. And with civil war breaking out, there will definitely be Filipino casualties.
We cannot dilly-dally or tarry on this issue a minute longer. It's time to bring them home.
Nah, Manong. We will let Libya and Malaysia pay the ransom. It does two things: GMA gets to save the Tarongoy and it allows Libya and Malaysia to indirectly help/finance the "insurgency" with $$$.
A smile and a smirk. Why was US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone smiling and President Arroyo smirking after their meeting the afternoon after the US elections with President George W. Bush as the winner?
What demands or conditions were imposed on Mrs. Arroyo? Did it involve Robert Tarongoy? Was an audit and accounting demanded on the use of US (and Japanese) aid? Was the one-on-one meeting between President Bush and Mrs. Arroyo in Chile formally and finally declined?
Was she forewarned that unless widespread corruption was seriously dealt with by Mrs. Arroyo, the $12 billion loans falling due in the first quarter of 2005 would not be extended?
Was she informed that Condolezza Rice, another critic of Mrs. Arroyo after the Iraq withdrawal of Filipino troops, would be the next Secretary of State? Or was another deployment of Filipino troops to Iraq suggested?
Or is it all of the above?
With a Moody Investors Service downgrade of our credit rating looming fast, I hate to predict what will happen by the end of February, the anniversary of Edsa I.
Don't cry for me, Argentina!
I don't know Manong. The only thing certain is that GMA is in deep shit for pulling out of our commitments in Iraq.
Wrong track. The sudden departure of Department of National Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz for China just weeks after Mrs. Arroyo's visit to Beijing certainly adds to the strain in US-Philippine relations.
China is the US government's main worry in Asia. Mrs. Arroyo is sending the wrong signals by playing the China card at this time.
Remember President Bush saying, if you are not with us, you are against us.
As Ambassador Albert del Rosario complained — “This administration has no direction.” Others are less generous. I have heard half-a-dozen ranking senators and congressmen say hilo na.
And why should Secretary Cruz take valuable time off for a China trip when he has not yet come up with a package of solutions to stop corruption in the military establishment, much less to contain the insurgency on several fronts?
Wrong priorities. Wrong direction.
Signs of the times. President Erap's press statements are getting prominent treatment in media. Administration senators are as vocal as opposition senators in criticizing the administration's tax and fiscal measures. More resignations, but no takers for Cabinet jobs. Meetings of opposition leaders are well attended and are becoming more frequent. ABS-CBN and GMA broadcasters have turned critical, their stand apparently sanctioned by their bosses. Callers and texters to radio talk shows are 90 percent critical and very blunt. More whistleblowers are coming out of the woodwork. President Arroyo is suddenly talking of a government of national unity.
Talking about "national unity"? GMA? Hah! Alam kasi nyang babagsak na siya kaya she's now pretending to seek "reconciliation" with the opposition.
OTHER ARTICLES worth reading here and here.
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