Rough Groove

Trillanes et al, misinformed?

At the rate Trillanes et al is going, I really don’t think that his group, including his supporters know the real sentiments of the people. If they knew, will they have pushed through with their supposed spontaneous walkout and take over of Manila Pen wherein no one from the public came? How come, this website sprouted immediately yesterday? What about protesters bearing stickers of Trillanes gathered at the Ninoy Aquino statue at the intersection of Paseo de Roxas and Ayala Ave. yesterday afternoon while inquirer.net reported that some Tondo denizens were paid to rally?

It seems that Trillanes, his group and his supporters including the Black and White Movement, Guingona and some others are really misinformed about the true sentiments of the people. That’s why they continue to mouth long discredited and failed ways of changing a government and continue with their old framework even if it failed the first time.

Trillanes is at it again

I may have some issues with the government especially the corruption that is going on, the enforced disappearances and killings that the UN is blaming the military for it, but I don’t condone what Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and his group is doing. Again. Just four years after their infamous Oakwood Mutiny at the Oakwood Suites (now the Ascott), a few meters from the Manila Peninsula Hotel, they’re at it again. Yes, they may have valid grievances but I just don’t approve of their methods.

The Manila Pen siege in Makati

These are some photos of the standoff that happened at the Manila Peninsula Hotel when the group of Trillanes and supporters like former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Archbishop Labayen, the running priest Fr. Reyes and other civil society members walked out of the court hearing at the Makati Regional Trial Court, walked the stretch of Makati Ave. and eventually entering by surprise the hotel where they held press conferences and called on the resignation of the President. They also proposed the formation of a caretaker government to be headed by Chief Justice Puno (who turned down their call) and called on the people and the youth to support their move.

The corner of Makati and Ayala Aves. was closed to traffic. The beseiged hotel, Manila Peninsula with its landmark fountain with cascading waters shown above.

As always, usyoseros are looking from the distance. It was somewhat a lively group as jokes about the siege were told. The crowd is like watching some movie shoot with some shouting “CUT” while others are saying, “o, smile, nakatutok yung camera sa atin (smile, the camera is pointed at us)” Some are taking photos with their cameras and mobile phones. There was even a man who hastily left grumbling “ang tagal naman ng bakbakan, mauwi na nga… (the action is taking too long, better go home).”

A few minutes of standing here, sporadic gunfire broke out but the crowd just stood there and waiting for the next happening.

As the afternoon is fast fading and more sporadic gunfire heard emanating from the hotel, this tank zoomed past the area I’m standing at which is just near the intersection of Ayala and Makati Aves. During the entire event, it was just drizzling and not really good to take more shots.

Just tailing the tank, this military truck also passed by. The Manila Pen is at the background. By this time, I got text messages from my mother in Cebu who was watching the news on TV updating me that Trillanes’ group was surrendering already.

Riot police are standing at the road. Behind them, at the left, is the hotel. Inside, Trillanes and his group including the former vice-president, the archbishop as well as other supporters were being handcuffed, loaded into a waiting bus to be brought to the military camp in Bicutan.

promote-english.org ad

Who murdered English?

Lumindol habang nakaupo sa trono!

Whew! I was sitting this noon at my white throne when suddenly the apartment I’m in seemed to sway. Split second and I realized that a tremor just hit Makati! P&%@! I’m all in the buff and I was concerned that when it all comes down (heaven forbid!) I don’t want to be found in a state of undress. I don’t want to be tabloid fodder!

Anyway, this noon’s tremor was really sudden but I do hope that no aftershocks happen.