Comments for Philippines at http://www.michaelyon-online.com , comment 1 to 8 out of 8 comments http://www.michaelyon-online.com Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:41:49 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/philippines.htm#comment-19265 I like the way you wrote this article, yes the people of the philippines generally are the nicest people on the planet. I love those islands but sadly havent been back there for about three weeks. I hate to leave there when i am there, havent traveled to the areas you were reporting from because why tempt fate. But i would like to, i am still in awe when i am there and see the bananas and fruit growing all over. Never did figure out who owns the bananas on that tree. I wonder if you experienced like i did, when in the far provinces sometimes there hasnt been a western man there for a long time. The kids just stare and smile, most are shy but i love it Some day i would like to work to help the people of the philippines, not sure where i could put my efforts. But i think in 5 nyears i will retire at 62 and live there. Not in the cities but in the province where i have met the lovely people of those islands - Mike Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:01:20 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/philippines.htm#comment-19207 My husband and I have devoted our lives to bring decent reading materials to remote and war torn areas....we have no funding for marketing or advertising and that is why your comments about our....project of the heart is so appreciated....every six weeks a container of these educational materials leaves our concord, California warehouse, all packed by school children....we are so thrilled you are there to witness the success of this endeavour....thank you very, very much....Nancy Harrington - Nancy Harrington Fri, 05 Jun 2009 23:07:27 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/philippines.htm#comment-19213 Very good and balanced report, thank you. :) One point I'd like to share from my perspective as a native in the Philippines is that, in my opinion, the Abu Sayyaf Group is no longer a terrorist organization. I personally would not want to glorify them with the label "terrorist" (since there is a saying that "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter" which is often abused by terrorists and their sympathizers to give some legality or moral authority to their fight). Nowadays, I put the ASG under the label of simple desperate bandits. After the Burnham affair which [unfortunately] propelled them to the world stage, they have become simple bandits engaged in kidnapping for ransom - no different from any other criminal here in the Philippines or in any other part of the world. Apart from the foreign Red Cross volunteers they kidnapped a few months ago, the ASG has resorted mostly to kidnapping lowly fishermen, teachers, farmers, and the like who they fully know have no means to provide any ransom whatsoever the ASG is demanding the government. They are, at worst, an annoyance IMO. I'd like to say more, but apparently my initial comment was too long hehehe hence this short one instead. Stay safe and I hope you enjoy your stay in the Philippines. Looking forward to more reports of everywhere and anywhere. Mabuhay! :) - TomasCTT Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:53:37 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/philippines.htm#comment-19216 I learned to scuba dive in the PI and was overwhelmed at the pristine ocean and abundant life on the reefs. The country also boasts some of the most awesome and pristine scenery in the world. I would love to go back there check on my Filipino Godchild who was the son of our domestic servants Aimee and Emilito! They practically adopted us into their family while my first wife I where stationed there! The Filipinos are the greatest lovers of America and Americans anywhere in the world! Isa pa nga! - Tommy Barrios Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:16:22 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/philippines.htm#comment-19186 I learned to scuba dive in the PI and was overwhelmed at the pristine ocean and abundant life on the reefs. The country also boasts some of the most awesome and pristine scenery in the world. I would love to go back there check on my Filipino Godchild who was the son of our domestic servants Aimee and Emilito! They practically adopted us into their family while my first wife I where stationed there! The Filipinos are the greatest lovers of America and Americans anywhere in the world! Isa pa nga! - Tommy Barrios Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:16:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/philippines.htm#comment-19183 That's not what MILF stands for here in the USA! Good story though. Thanks. It is becoming more and more apparent to me how great the work is that our military does around the world, especially when hearing of the aid work our Special Forces and others are involved in. I am very proud of them. I regret not joining or trying out for their team. I am glad they are making it happen out there. - victorsam Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:32:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/philippines.htm#comment-19180 Michael, one slight correction. It was a Philippine Air Force (PAF) UH-1 that was shot at over Basilan. Although we have had our contract helo shot at several times over Basilan, this particular incident was all theres. This area of Tipo Tipo has consistently ben a trouble spot and stronghold for ASG. The AFP has tried several times to clean it out, but the terrain is extremely difficult and there are strong family ties that make it hard to win over this particular area. - Bill C Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:25:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/philippines.htm#comment-19189 Very good and balanced report, thank you. :) One point I'd like to share from my perspective as a native in the Philippines is that, in my opinion, the Abu Sayyaf Group is no longer a terrorist organization. I personally would not want to glorify them with the label "terrorist" (since there is a saying that "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter" which is often abused by terrorists and their sympathizers to give some legality or moral authority to their fight). Nowadays, I put the ASG under the label of simple desperate bandits. After the Burnham affair which [unfortunately] propelled them to the world stage, they have become simple bandits engaged in kidnapping for ransom - no different from any other criminal here in the Philippines or in any other part of the world. Apart from the foreign Red Cross volunteers they kidnapped a few months ago, the ASG has resorted mostly to kidnapping lowly fishermen, teachers, farmers, and the like who they fully know have no means to provide any ransom whatsoever the ASG is demanding the government. They are, at worst, an annoyance IMO. I'd like to say more, but apparently my initial comment was too long hehehe hence this short one instead. Stay safe and I hope you enjoy your stay in the Philippines. Looking forward to more reports of everywhere and anywhere. Mabuhay! :) - TomasCTT Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0100