The Unlawyer

The Philippine government can certainly take some lessons in how it handles hostage-taking situations perpetrated by such groups as the Abu Sayyaf from the Colombians, who have a good reason to celebrate today: Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt is freed after 6 years, 4 months and 9 days. Three US citizens and eleven Colombians were also freed in the same operation.

The Counterterrorism Blog describes the rescue plan as “something out of a spy thriller.” More details of the operation can be found at The Terror Wonk but this headline neatly summarizes how Colombian anti-terror troops were able to pull it off: Colombian forces trick FARC rebels into freeing hostage Betancourt.

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Many Philippine companies like mine rely on sea transportation to ship their bulk cargoes to and from the country’s major island groups, and the recent grounding of Sulpicio Lines’ (SLI) entire fleet in the wake of the recent Princess of the Stars sinking brought to the fore one uncomfortable fact: this company controls a significant share, 40 percent to be exact, of the nation’s scheduled inter-island cargo traffic.

Thus, having no choice, the government will have to do what it has to do: SLI to resume cargo operations soon. How extensive is Sulpicio Lines’ network? Almost every major port in the Visayas and Mindanao:

“SLI’s cargo routes ply Bacolod, Butuan, Calubian, Cagayan, Catbalogan, Cebu, Coron, Cotabato, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Estancia, General Santos, Iligan and Iloilo.”

The orders come directly from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself.

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Since the last time I blogged about how Philippine consumer goods manufacturers and retailers have enlisted bloggers to write about their respective products and services, it looks like a few more have joined the bandwagon. Take for example a recent promotion organized by Coca-Cola and SM Hypermarket for Coke Zero held at the Taste Asia food court of the SM Mall of Asia. An Apple A Day lists the bloggers who, naturally, blogged about the event.

Another FMCG manufacturer who is actively courting Philippine bloggers is Unilever who recruited bloggers to spread a good word for two recently-launched products: Clear anti-dandruff shampoo and Lipton Milk Tea. Sasha Manuel’s Tops 2 Bottoms, among other blogs, actively wrote about the first product, while Noemi Dado’s Touched By An Angel gushed over the second item.

I am certain that there are other Philippine companies who have arranged for bloggers to write about them, but it’s just not obvious.

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I was lucky that I had the time to visit the observatory of Taiwan’s - and Asia’s too, by the way - tallest building, Taipei 101. One factor was its close proximity to the Taipei World Trade Center. Another was the complimentary ticket to the observation deck I received courtesy of Taipei’s mayor Hau Lung-pin, something I would have paid TWD 400 for had I not obtained it for free.

Anyway, enjoy these pictures of Taipei at night taken from the top of Taipei 101.

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Immigration self-service counters are fast becoming a standard feature at many Asian airports. For example, citizens and legal residents of Singapore and Hong Kong can use these kiosks to breeze in and out of their respective airports, avoiding the long lines at the manned counters and thus saving precious time.

In what must be a first anywhere, Hong Kong’s immigration authorities are extending this privilege to ordinary, albeit pre-qualified, visitors to use what it dubs as the Frequent Visitor e-Channel:

“Visitors aged 18 or above who hold a valid HKSAR Travel Pass, APEC Business Travel Card with the economy code “HKG” or Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) Frequent Visitor Card, and who have successfully enrolled with the Immigration Department of HKSAR, are now able to enjoy self-service immigration clearance at the Hong Kong International Airport.”

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Philippine police were recently successful in apprehending several thieves who specialize, used to anyway, in preying on automated teller machines (ATM) in Metro Manila. The M.O.:

“Meisic police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut coordinated with the BPI-Lavezares bank officials, who allowed the police to open up the ATM. The police found five P500 bills and two P200 bills sticking to glue spread on a metal strip.

“The two suspects admitted installing the device inside the ATM by pretending to use the machine, then lie in wait outside the booth for their victim. After the victim leaves the ATM booth without the withdrawn cash, they will get the trapped money and repeat the process for another victim.”

This M.O. appears to be similar to the “Lebanese loop” earlier documented by Snopes.

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