NationStates Jolt Archive

Police nail protesting lawyer

MANILA - A flamboyant lawyer who scattered steel spikes on Manila's streets to protest against his disqualification from last month's presidential race was arrested yesterday after a short car chase by the Philippine army, officials said.

Mr Elly Pamatong, head of a political group that wants the Philippines to become a part of the United States, faces criminal charges for damaging tyres of more than 100 cars on Monday.

The charges carry prison terms up to six months.

Officials initially suspected the spikes were part of a plot to spark unrest, but police later said they suspected Mr Pamatong and did not believe he was a dangerous subversive.

The Muslim activist heads the vigorously anti-communist group Discovery Crusade of the Philippines Inc, which supports a strong US military role in the Philippines and would like to see the former US colony again become part of the US.

Mr Pamatong apologised for the spikes in radio interviews before his capture, but defended his action as a political protest.

Soldiers nabbed him in Laguna province, south of Manila, along with seven other people. -- AP
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Asia is a strange place.Philippines is a former colony of the USA which it seized in its war with Spain in the 19th Century.Why the hell would they want to become part of the USA?

I know I wouldn't want my country to become a state of the USA.Singapore forever,a nation strong and free!

Asia is a strange place.Philippines is a former colony of the USA which it seized in its war with Spain in the 19th Century.Why the hell would they want to become part of the USA?

I know I wouldn't want my country to become a state of the USA.Singapore forever,a nation strong and free!
Because normal people don't hold grudges for events that happened two centuries ago?

And we don't want your country to become a state either. :lol:

Whoa - crazy article ya got there. All the rebels in the Philippines are Muslim Extremists and/or Communists, yes?

And this man, an anti-communism Muslim (I'd guess he practices Sunni Islam) is asking the Philippines to *join* the US. Kinda puts him at the extreme opposite of the rebels there.

Question-assuming that the Philippines became part of the US, commonwealth, state, whatever, would it still be US imperialism if it was voluntary on the part of the Philippines?

Question-assuming that the Philippines became part of the US, commonwealth, state, whatever, would it still be US imperialism if it was voluntary on the part of the Philippines?
People will find SOMETHING to blame us about :evil:

... would it still be US imperialism if it was voluntary on the part of the Philippines?
Nope...all they need is an official invitation to Join....followed by a democratic referendum...

I think that is the way some Province joined Canada.

Actually, the Philippines was a commonwealth of the United States, much like Puerto Rico today.

The Spanish-American war happened in the 1890s, and the Americans only held control for 40-50 years. For much of that time, the US was working to set up a Filipino independent state, and had no interest in keeping it as a colony.

If the Philippines was returned to the USA, it would almost certainly become either a freely associated commonwealth or a state.

Actually, the Philippines was a commonwealth of the United States, much like Puerto Rico today.

The Spanish-American war happened in the 1890s, and the Americans only held control for 40-50 years. For much of that time, the US was working to set up a Filipino independent state, and had no interest in keeping it as a colony.

If the Philippines was returned to the USA, it would almost certainly become either a freely associated commonwealth or a state.

I seem to remember the guerilla fighters there caused more US casualties than the Spanish did. That's probably why they didn't want it, too much trouble.

If the Philippines was returned to the USA, it would almost certainly become either a freely associated commonwealth or a state.
What is the difference?

Actually, the Philippines was a commonwealth of the United States, much like Puerto Rico today.

The Spanish-American war happened in the 1890s, and the Americans only held control for 40-50 years. For much of that time, the US was working to set up a Filipino independent state, and had no interest in keeping it as a colony.

If the Philippines was returned to the USA, it would almost certainly become either a freely associated commonwealth or a state.

I seem to remember the guerilla fighters there caused more US casualties than the Spanish did. That's probably why they didn't want it, too much trouble.

The Filipino guerillas, though, were a minority of the population who were attacking everyone. The Americans didn't want it because they had not entered the Spanish war to seize colonies, strangely enough.

No, they had actually entered it to extend those ideals they professed.

If the Philippines was returned to the USA, it would almost certainly become either a freely associated commonwealth or a state.
What is the difference?

Commonwealths don't have representation in Congress, but have no US taxes, I believe.

If the Philippines was returned to the USA, it would almost certainly become either a freely associated commonwealth or a state.
What is the difference?

Commonwealths don't have representation in Congress, but have no US taxes, I believe.

Commonwealth of PA!

2 senators and don't know how many reps in house!

Commonwealth of VA
Commonwealth of MA

I seem to remember the guerilla fighters there caused more US casualties than the Spanish did. That's probably why they didn't want it, too much trouble.

The Filipino guerillas, though, were a minority of the population who were attacking everyone. The Americans didn't want it because they had not entered the Spanish war to seize colonies, strangely enough.

No, they had actually entered it to extend those ideals they professed.

Interesting...all this sounds....familiar... :?

I seem to remember...the guerilla fighters there caused more US casualties than the RegularArmy did. ....
The guerillas, though, were a minority of the population who were attacking everyone. The Americans didn't want it because they had not entered the war for oil, strangely enough.

No, they had actually entered it to extend those ideals they professed

Commonwealth of PA!

2 senators and don't know how many reps in house!

Commonwealth of VA
Commonwealth of MA

Don't give me that, just because they want to be different and be called commonwealths doesn't mean they're not states.

I was thinking of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and a couple others I think. Maybe Guam and American Samoa. Of course, I could be, and probably am, wrong. In which case, I apologise.

Commonwealth of PA!

2 senators and don't know how many reps in house!

Commonwealth of VA
Commonwealth of MA

Don't give me that, just because they want to be different and be called commonwealths doesn't mean they're not states.

I was thinking of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and a couple others I think. Maybe Guam and American Samoa. Of course, I could be, and probably am, wrong. In which case, I apologise.

Puerto Rico is a TERRITORY, as is the US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Saipan. All territories. Not commonwealths. They are territories. All of them are defended by the USA and have NON-VOTING Delegates in the US House.

Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, actually. As is American Samoa.

Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, actually. As is American Samoa.

Ok So maybe Puerto Rico is a commonwealth!

I never heard of American Samoa being one though!

Commonwealth of PA!

2 senators and don't know how many reps in house!

Commonwealth of VA
Commonwealth of MA

Don't give me that, just because they want to be different and be called commonwealths doesn't mean they're not states.

I was thinking of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and a couple others I think. Maybe Guam and American Samoa. Of course, I could be, and probably am, wrong. In which case, I apologise.
You are not wrong....they are States

Commonwealth of PA!

2 senators and don't know how many reps in house!

Commonwealth of VA
Commonwealth of MA

Don't give me that, just because they want to be different and be called commonwealths doesn't mean they're not states.

I was thinking of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and a couple others I think. Maybe Guam and American Samoa. Of course, I could be, and probably am, wrong. In which case, I apologise.
You are not wrong....they are States

Actually he is for American Samoa. Puerto Rico he is right! He is also wrong on the US Virgin Islands

American Samoa is not a commonwealth and neither is the US Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands, though a Commonwealth, is not a state but a territory!

Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, actually. As is American Samoa.

Ok So maybe Puerto Rico is a commonwealth!

I never heard of American Samoa being one though!

I thought American Samoa was one. Hrm.

Either way, though, if the Philippines rejoins the US, it will become either a commonwealth or a state. Not a territory.

Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, actually. As is American Samoa.

Ok So maybe Puerto Rico is a commonwealth!

I never heard of American Samoa being one though!

I thought American Samoa was one. Hrm.

Either way, though, if the Philippines rejoins the US, it will become either a commonwealth or a state. Not a territory.

it can be both a state and a commonwealth, PA is one of them.

Right now it is a territory but they keep voting statehood down. Don't expect it to be a state anytime soon.

I can't begin to describe the selfishness of these people. It's flatering at first, but then one must consider the long term consequences. The Phillipines, one of the most populated (and probably a very important) Asian nation wants to join the US. Japan, Malaysia, maybe even Taiwan may feel a little threatened. Most importantly, however, China will see it as some form of invasion of their turf. And both China and the Phillipines claim the Spratly Islands. Will this turn into a dispute primarily between the US and China? It'll lead to a diplomatic faceoff, and since control of the Spratlys means control of the resource rich South China Sea, I wouldn't be surprised if it lead to war. After all, we are both resource hungry nations.

Puerto Rico is a commonwealth, actually. As is American Samoa.

Ok So maybe Puerto Rico is a commonwealth!

I never heard of American Samoa being one though!

I thought American Samoa was one. Hrm.

Either way, though, if the Philippines rejoins the US, it will become either a commonwealth or a state. Not a territory.
There are only two commonwealths: the North Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico. Guam will soon become a common wealth, as soon as Congress aproves their new constitution.

I find this thread interesting, so BUMP.

I can't begin to describe the selfishness of these people. It's flatering at first, but then one must consider the long term consequences. The Phillipines, one of the most populated (and probably a very important) Asian nation wants to join the US. Japan, Malaysia, maybe even Taiwan may feel a little threatened. Most importantly, however, China will see it as some form of invasion of their turf. And both China and the Phillipines claim the Spratly Islands. Will this turn into a dispute primarily between the US and China? It'll lead to a diplomatic faceoff, and since control of the Spratlys means control of the resource rich South China Sea, I wouldn't be surprised if it lead to war. After all, we are both resource hungry nations.
I need someone to rebute me. Please, I can't live knowing that an opinion I feel this strongly about isn't rebutted.

A flamboyant lawyer who scattered steel spikes on Manila's streets to protest against his disqualification from last month's presidential race was arrested yesterday after a short car chase by the Philippine army, officials said.

Now, that's a good eye-catching way to grab votes!

I can't begin to describe the selfishness of these people. It's flatering at first, but then one must consider the long term consequences. The Phillipines, one of the most populated (and probably a very important) Asian nation wants to join the US. Japan, Malaysia, maybe even Taiwan may feel a little threatened. Most importantly, however, China will see it as some form of invasion of their turf. And both China and the Phillipines claim the Spratly Islands. Will this turn into a dispute primarily between the US and China? It'll lead to a diplomatic faceoff, and since control of the Spratlys means control of the resource rich South China Sea, I wouldn't be surprised if it lead to war. After all, we are both resource hungry nations.
I need someone to rebute me. Please, I can't live knowing that an opinion I feel this strongly about isn't rebutted.

I support that.The Philippines in American hands would throw everything out of balance in the region,as America would then have a strategic involvement in a region where they are best left as observers and nothing more.The Spratly Islands contested by several nations are speculated to have large oil and natural gas reserves,so America would be wanting to get at them.Naturally,the Spratly's are also claimed by Indonesia,Malaysia,Vietnam,Brunei,Taiwan and China.

If you look at the list,none of the countries are major friends of the USA,and the reaction to the Philippines becoming an American territory would be bad,given the overwhelming military superiority that America currently enjoys,though that is beginning to be challenged in Asia by China and India,the only other countries in the future which could possibly take on the USA,or Russia.It would start an arms race,the Chinese trying to gain parity with America,Vietnam increasing defence spending to match China,the other countries increasing defence spending to match BOTH China and USA(definitely Indonesia and Malaysia would be factors to consider,given their large populations and their Islamic majorities).This would in turn spark an Indian buildup,thereby triggering a South Asian arms race.

Caught in the middle is the perennial friend and close ally of Indonesia,Australia,USA,India and China,which is my country.We are already the dominant military power in South East Asia(SEA),outmatching any other military within the region,and have resources equivalent to the 500 nukes of Israel.(this is an open fact,if Israel has 500 nuclear warheads,and it does potentially,Singapore has weapons termed "Silver Bullets".We aren't known as the 'Israel of the East' for nothing.)

So basically,it ain't in my country's best interests to have the Philippines as American territory,in fact it isn't in anybody's best interests,especially if one considers the fact that by making it an American territory and allowing military assets to be based there,it would totally shift the military balance in the Asia-Pacific,as it would place the emergent and dormant powers of Russia,India and China within swift American military actions in any event.

Nevertheless,an American presence is needed in the region,no matter how distasteful,and to this end Singapore currently serves as the logistics base and stopping point between the American Pacific base of Pearl Harbour and the Indian Ocean base of Diego Garcia,which allows America to extend a toehold into the Middle East.

However,by sheer size,Indonesia with a population of 238 million,90% of which is Muslim,making it the largest Muslim nation in the world,is a majore strategic factor that must also be considered.Traditionally,while relatively friendly with America,it is rather wary of any covert or overt American influence,military or political,as the CIA as attempted actions to change the regime in the past,thought that failed misearably.

At this point in time,there are several ongoing Muslim insurrections in SEA,with them being the rebellion in Mindanao in the Philippines,where rebel Muslims are fighting for their freedom from a traditionally Catholic country,Aceh where extremist Muslims are fighting for independence from Indonesia to form their own Islamic state and Southern Thailand,where Muslim rebels are attempting to form an independent state in the overwhelmingly Buddhist nation.

Military aid to Indonesia from Singapore,despite objections from the USA, due to human rights abuses by the Indonesians that resulted in an arms embargo,continues at a constant pace as the rebellion in Aceh is put down and the rebels liquidated to prevent the breakup of Indonesia.

Liquidations of rebel Muslims also occur in the Philippines and Southern Thailand,to prevent the formation of independent states and preserve the territorial integrity of these nations.

I can't begin to describe the selfishness of these people. It's flatering at first, but then one must consider the long term consequences. The Phillipines, one of the most populated (and probably a very important) Asian nation wants to join the US. Japan, Malaysia, maybe even Taiwan may feel a little threatened. Most importantly, however, China will see it as some form of invasion of their turf. And both China and the Phillipines claim the Spratly Islands. Will this turn into a dispute primarily between the US and China? It'll lead to a diplomatic faceoff, and since control of the Spratlys means control of the resource rich South China Sea, I wouldn't be surprised if it lead to war. After all, we are both resource hungry nations.
I need someone to rebute me. Please, I can't live knowing that an opinion I feel this strongly about isn't rebutted.
Ok I will offer you rebuttal, after all, we wouldn't want you to die:

There is no such word as REBUTE

The correct spelling of "Phillipines", is Philippines

The correct spelling of "flatering", is flattering :shock:

What I can't understand is who you are referring to when you say "these people", and in what sense are you using the word "selfishness"?

I can't begin to describe the selfishness of these people. It's flatering at first, but then one must consider the long term consequences. The Phillipines, one of the most populated (and probably a very important) Asian nation wants to join the US. Japan, Malaysia, maybe even Taiwan may feel a little threatened. Most importantly, however, China will see it as some form of invasion of their turf. And both China and the Phillipines claim the Spratly Islands. Will this turn into a dispute primarily between the US and China? It'll lead to a diplomatic faceoff, and since control of the Spratlys means control of the resource rich South China Sea, I wouldn't be surprised if it lead to war. After all, we are both resource hungry nations.
I need someone to rebute me. Please, I can't live knowing that an opinion I feel this strongly about isn't rebutted.
Ok I will offer you rebuttal, after all, we wouldn't want you to die:

There is no such word as REBUTE

The correct spelling of "Phillipines", is Philippines

The correct spelling of "flatering", is flattering :shock:

What I can't understand is who you are referring to when you say "these people", and in what sense are you using the word "selfishness"?
I thought it'd be obvious that I'm describing the selfishness of these minority of Fillipinos. They are selfish because they wish to upset the regional balance of power purely for their own reasons. If Congress was submitted an application for Fillipino statehood, it'd be flat-out rejected by those who have the US's best interests at heart. After all, this may upset the peace in East Asia that has been enjoyed for about twenty years.