NationStates Jolt Archive

I know that I should be happy that that Filipino hostage is alive, but wasn't it kind of stupid for the Phillippine leader to pull all of the troops out just for one guy? Now, all the terrorists know that the whole hostage thing works.

I know that I should be happy that that Filipino hostage is alive, but wasn't it kind of stupid for the Phillippine leader to pull all of the troops out just for one guy? Now, all the terrorists know that the whole hostage thing works.
From what I know, they did it because this is what the people wanted.

From what I know, they did it because this is what the people wanted.

Yeah, but what the people want isn't always the right thing to do.

I know that I should be happy that that Filipino hostage is alive, but wasn't it kind of stupid for the Phillippine leader to pull all of the troops out just for one guy? Now, all the terrorists know that the whole hostage thing works.

I am sure his family is grateful, but yes, I tend to agree with you.
However, there is another thing to consider -- the Phillipines has seen the work that extremist terrorists do in their country for some time, and probably did not want bombings, kidnappings, murders etc. to increase at home.

Did they actually pull the troops out a month early like the kidnappers wanted, or are they still sticking with their August date which was decided on before the kidnapping.

At any rate, I agree that it was not the smartest decision to give in to terrorist demands, since that only gives them an incentive to do it more to get more concessions. But then again, I would not like to tell someone their loved one had to die in a rather brutal fashion, even though the government could prevent it, when consumed by such greif I doubt the people will want to realize it may have saved lives (the problem being, the lives saved are probably not people those loved ones know or care about).

Yeah, but what the people want isn't always the right thing to do.
But in a good democracy, what the people want is what should be done regardless of its "rightness," and who is anyone to define "rightness" anyway?

Just out of curiousity, does the Philippines have a woman for a president?

Did they actually pull the troops out a month early like the kidnappers wanted, or are they still sticking with their August date which was decided on before the kidnapping.

At any rate, I agree that it was not the smartest decision to give in to terrorist demands, since that only gives them an incentive to do it more to get more concessions.

Well, you could argue that terrorists have been taking hostages and making demands for years, and whether the Philippines gave in or not, they're likely to continue doing so.

In any case, a difficult decision to make.

Just out of curiousity, does the Philippines have a woman for a president?
Yes they do, and she just got re-elected.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. She's had to deal with demonstrations at home and opted to pull the troops out one month early.

I believe it was a mistake since it sends the wrong message. The domestic problem won't go away, since the militants want her to leave also and to create a Islamic state.

Yeah, I'm sure if they didn't meet the demands, that terrorists would stop taking hostages entirely -_-

Actually, when the early hostage situations of the 80's did not produce favorable outcomes for the terrorists, the number of kidnappings decreased, since they were not worth the effort. No one is saying by not giving into demands that they will stop, just that less will occur.

But in a good democracy, what the people want is what should be done regardless of its "rightness," and who is anyone to define "rightness" anyway?

Apparently, while the Cuban missile crisis was underway, a majority of US citizens supported a nuclear strike on the USSR...

"The majority isn't always right. It could mean all the fools are on the same side."

We're talking about 51 troops here, and we're talking about a situation where the political loss if Arroyo doesn't pull them out is huge while the gain if she does is noticeable. It was an easy call. The Philippines doesn't have much at stake in Iraq.

I dont claim to be an expert on phillipino public opinion but probably didnt want troops to be sent there in the first place anyway. Just like the Spanish people and most of the rest of the world.

We're talking about 51 troops here, and we're talking about a situation where the political loss if Arroyo doesn't pull them out is huge while the gain if she does is noticeable. It was an easy call. The Philippines doesn't have much at stake in Iraq.


:), heh, I was going to say that. They might as well just pull out. It wouldn't make much of a difference when pulling out 51 troops. The only thing it did was good by saving a life and I salute the philippines for it!

:), heh, I was going to say that. They might as well just pull out. It wouldn't make much of a difference when pulling out 51 troops. The only thing it did was good by saving a life and I salute the philippines for it!

The terrorists are going to start with the smaller countries and work their way up. They know now that there are probably a few more countries they can manipulate into leaving by taking a hostage.

They already threatened Japan, Poland and Bulgaria with new attacks. All three have already said they wouldn't pull out.

They already threatened Japan, Poland and Bulgaria with new attacks. All three have already said they wouldn't pull out.

Well, thank god those countries aren't as weak as the Philippines.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5473325/

This is exactly what I thought would happen.

Ok, I think it's great that the Filippino government cares that much about it's people! And that it does what the people want, that's what a democracy is supposed to do. They shouldn't have been there in the first place anyways

Actually, when the early hostage situations of the 80's did not produce favorable outcomes for the terrorists, the number of kidnappings decreased, since they were not worth the effort. No one is saying by not giving into demands that they will stop, just that less will occur.

Yeah, but it is better for it to happen less, than to happen all the time.