I’m just curious, why is the Philippines not included?
NHK TV website:
US President Barack Obama has offered his condolences to victims of the natural disasters in the Samoan Islands and Indonesia, saying the US will fully support rescue efforts in these areas.
Obama told reporters at the White House on Thursday that the United States will continue to provide full support to American Samoa, and extend any necessary help to Samoa as well. The areas in the south Pacific were devastated by tsunami after a major earthquake on Tuesday.
Obama also said he was deeply moved by the loss of life in Wednesday’s earthquake in Indonesia, where he had lived as a child. He said he has given orders for the US, as a friend of Indonesia, to extend its full support for Indonesia’s rescue and recovery efforts.
The US government though was one of the foreign governments which gave assistance to the victims of typhoon Ondoy.
Today (Friday), U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney will present a donation of relief supplies to the Philippine National Red Cross in response to the crisis caused by Tropical Storm Ondoy.
A specially chartered plane will arrive today at 4:30 p.m. at Ninoy Aquino International Airport carrying jerry cans (water containers), hygiene kits containing laundry and toiletry supplies, and plastic sheeting. The total value of the materials is approximately 19 million pesos (US $400,000).
Last Sept 30, Kenney, assisted by Quezon city officials, officials of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and U.S. military service members, and PNRC Chairman Richard Gordon distributed food items to some 500 families given refuge at the center after massive floods caused by Typhoon Ondoy The U.S. Government has donated $100,000 to help fund PNRC’s relief assistance for the typhoon’s victims
Reference articles:
1,100 killed in Indonesa earthquake: UN
Samoa tsunami toll may exceed 100, hundreds injured.
We are not alone.There are two other devastated Southeast Asian countries by typhoon Ketsana (international name of “Ondoy”)
Obama knows her economy is going great guns and this hag has billions of money in her treasure chest. But she’d rather wait for donations than spend it to help those devastated, what does she care?
It would be a great show if Gluerilla and her hundred ilks are the ones swimming for dear life at the Pasig River!
Ellen,
I reckon, he got wind of Pichay’s fiesta in honour of Gloria in time of appaling times, and that didn’t sit well with him.
Imagine, this administration is begging for foreign aid to help Ondoy typhoon victims, yet shamelessly wines, dances and celebrates while thousands and thousands of their compatriots are thirsty, have nothing to eat, living in squalor… No person in his right mind will approve of such brazen behaviour.
Siguro ayaw na talaga nila kay Gloria…aside from the fact na dati pa nyang pinariringgan si Gloria noong speech nya na sinabing hindi sya kakampi sa mga corrupt.
From Lila Shahani as posted in Facebook:
Ellen, I was pretty pissed about this too so I called up Ambassador Gaa up in Washington. Sabi ko, $100,000, plus a helicopter and 20 men, even with the VFA and the wider RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty that informs it? And why didn’t we get any condolences during his Iran speech, unlike Samoa and Indonesia? Sabi niya, the US is pretty overwhelmed with… Read More requests right now, given what has recently happened in the Pacific Ring of Fire. The problem is, we’re competing with all these countries at the moment. But sabi niya that the US, through USAID, committed $1.2 million today, and several US congressmen have contacted him saying they’d like to help, so we’ll know better next week what the actual commitments are daw.
Japan, the EU and Canada have been pretty generous. But the relative lack of coverage in the US news (I live in NY) has certainly been worrisome. Australia already committed $700,000 to Samoa! Since the death toll in Indonesia is already pretty high, it does seem that the coverage depends on the actual number of deaths, sadly, as if that’s the only indication of human suffering and need…
A word or a line during Obama’s speech would have been appropriate but Obama is probably more aware of the brazen hussiness and corruption being committed by this administration than Shahani thinks.
Obama most likely is aware that Gloria’s administration and her merry henchmen (no other word for it but they are her “merry henchmen”) is not actually lacking in resources if they only manage those resources well or to the best of their ability, couple that with the fact that this admin people are feasting while their countrymen survive in appalling condition, these thoughts are enough to make any foreign leader shudder in disgust!
I’ve just learned that my brother’s home was completely inundated. My mom is unable to reach him by truck either to rescue him and family — I told my mom to hire a tractor but where to hire a tractor is a problem.
Family and I don’t rely on this government to give any aid of any kind to my brother and his family but my mother’s main concern is their security (not all families, which is an understatement, have bancas or boats in their backyard to use for their escape from the floods and this, for my family and I are a bit problematic).
AdeBrux: PM Harper even snub the Powerful Chinese Leadership because of China Human Rights Records and (childish as he is) he would never personally even dare look at GMA, but instead let his Cabinet members do the formality…that is how Low Most Foreign Leaders look at GMA…
Anna, where’s your brother’s place? The exprience must have been harrowing for him.
A tractor would not have worked. What was needed was really rubber boats.
Ouch! Pareng Barak does not know Gloria Arroyo, again.
Yes, the Samoa and Indonesia tragedies are all over the news in the US. I saw only pitik-pitik news about Pinas’ Ondoy. Could be that Samoa is Uncle Sam’s and Indonesia is close to Obama’s heart.
Besides, Philippines is a TINY country with a fake and kleptocrat TINY president. Who, among the super world leaders, would want to deal with the most corrupt Asian leader? Ano sila, sira?
We are on our own, the foreign donations are just a support. Let’s be proud of what we’ve (minus the overwhelmed Gloria admin) done/been doing with the help of the private sector and individual heroism of ordinary pinoys.
Salamat sa mga foreign donations, but no thanks to the bootsy tiny bitch.
Hintayin lang natin….Bert Romulo is still soliciting one from the White House. Di ba SOP na trabaho niya yan? Hehehe!
obama and family is presently in copenhagen pitching for chicago as the site for the 2016 summer olympics. so how can they hear shouts for help of arroyo and co.his pinay chief chef will do much better than any ambassador from pinas.
Ellen,
My brother’s home I think is in Cainta… and to think he just had it built! My Mom just called a friend of mine who has a few Zodiacs (which I sold to him a few years ago) and they’ve all arranged it.
The worst is for the parents in law and the brother in law of my brother! I don’t know where they live but my Mom said, they were in deep trouble. No house, no belongings, etc.
The Filipinos have been suffering immeasurably under Gloria. After accepting Gloria as a State visitor, Obama has undoubtedly condoned all the “crimes” of Gloria against the Filipino people.
To express condolence or concern to Ondoy’s victims will simply highlight Obama’s forked-tongue approach to his much vaunted Democracy for all, and contrasted with Obama’s realpolitik (our natural resources) doctrine of “for as long as that son of a bitch is ‘our’ son of a bitch.” 🙁
I thought so also, Mon. And I was sad when BO did that.
just a month ago, my brother in brookside, cainta received the gas powered Pressure Washer I sent him and he said he may never have some use for it…I said just keep it and someday you will..it did make the house clean up quick and thorough.
but still can’t get it through his head to prepare for the next one…don’t even have provision of even water or even a few days supply of food just in case…well, i said, if you want to go on force diet, then let it be…hope Ondoy was a good lesson for everyone to get prepared and don’t rely on the somehow even Less Prepared Government Agencies…
2 rescued days after Indonesia quake kills 715
“…The United States pledged $3.3 million in immediate assistance to Indonesia.”
Source:IRWAN FIRDAUS, Associated Press Writer Irwan Firdaus, Associated Press Writer – 2 hrs 12 mins ago
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091002/ap_on_re_as/as_indonesia_earthquake
Maybe White House thinks that if Philippine government officials can afford lavish lifestyle while in the US, then the Philippines does not need as much donation as Indonesia and Samoa…
re. no.12 comment-
Chicago is the first to go in 2016 voting
“COPENHAGEN – Chicago was eliminated in the first ballot of voting for the 2016 Olympics on Friday, a stunning defeat for the city that was expected to be one of the two finalists.”
Source:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/oly2016_bids_chicago
Vic,
hope Ondoy was a good lesson for everyone to get prepared
Agree with you. I think it’s important for people, especially for thos who can do it, to be a little prepared just in case.
When the children go travelling they always have some first aid things with them, just in case — of course help comes but it’s important to be just a teeny weeny prepared.
In the same manner, I believe when people are alerted that a huge typhoon is on the way, impportant to be just a teeny weeny bit prepared. Of course, it’s easier said than done — we know that not everyone has the means to even put together decent amount of food stuff.
A terrible reality in the Philippines.
Obama has some sentimental and fond memories of Indonesia. He spends some of his childhood years over there and so it’s no wonder that what happened elicits some reactions from him.
Philippines is not in any way in the radar of the print and broadcast media over here. If ever it managed to it only merits a few lines buried in the inside pages as an item or just a passing mention in broadcast although it appears in ticklers of some stations. It’s so disappointing and frustrating if you are one of those waiting for some detailed news about what is happening over there and get nothing. I wonder if the Philippines has become an international pariah because of the well-known corruption and greediness of its officials. It lost the respect of the world and it reached a point where only a handful of nations even try to give a second look at her again.
The dinners that costs a total of $35,000.00 over here made more news than Ondoy. It’s so embarassing.
I wonder if the Philippines has become an international pariah because of the well-known corruption and greediness of its officials.
The belief here among people I meet — NO EXCEPTION — is that Pinas has a very corrupt leadership that’s causing all the poverty and misery.
Much as I try not to engage people in conversation on Pinas because it becomes embarassing, the topic comes up when they learn I am Pinay; when those I meet speak of Pinas, it’s to tell me that they have Pinay maids who inform them of the poverty and misery in the Philippines because of corruption, blah blah. Moreover, because Pinas was included in last year’s G8 list of most corrupt nations according to OECD, the image has stuck.
I just shrug and change the topic of conversation. Simply indefensible!
The British public will donate to victims of tsunami in Pinas but I don’t see that they will to Ondoy victims in the Philippines. Just don’t see it. The Philippines leadership unfortunately (and amazingly), suffers from a worse disrepute than Indonesian leadership.
Sad, isn’t it?
The Philippines lost the international goodwill that Edsa 1 generated.
There was a bit of respect for Pinas during Ramos’ time, and believe it or not, Europe was prepared to believe in Pinas when Erap was elected (because his election was democracy in action) but by 2004 (election cheating), all pretenses of goodwill evaporated… The Philippines became a ‘pariah’ because of Gloria marked by the successive listing of Pinas among the world’s most corrupt nations year in, year out.
Ooops, I meant: “The British public will donate to victims of tsunami in Indonesia…
AdeBrux, I was surprised that despite the bad treatment of the German businessmen here (Fraport/Piatco, Siemens), Merkel still donated generously. The donation was around $500K definitely more than what Kenny and Obama, combined, have given so far. Ditto the EU whose chambers’ heads have been shamed by Enrile, gave around 700K Euros.
Tongue,
Read about that and I say bravo to Merkel (even after her recent threat that she would apply sanctions to RP because of Gloria govt’s failure to pay Fraport.)
Well, Gloria is not the Filipino people…
Barack not mentioning Pinas when he expressed condolences to Samoa and Indonesia.
Do you think the residents of Marikina or Cainta will join anti-VFA rallies and show these Americans that they are not wanted here by the Filipino people? More and more “boots-on-the-ground” are arriving.
————-
At least 27 members of the 3rd US Marine Expeditionary Force, composed of doctors, nurses, medical aides and a chaplain, the other day conducted a medical and dental mission at Nangka Elementary School, which sheltered thousands displaced by the massive floods in Marikina City.
Well developed countries especially the US are generous to even their enemies in horrible times. At the same token, Iran, the Philippines and most muslim nations don’t give a squat if there were several Katrinas pummelling America. Since when did they donated anything, kahit isang garapon na peanut brittle man lang from Pinas, nada!
It’s all about helping humanity and not it’s horrendous head of states, corrupt or not.
Obama snubs RP. It hurts but it’s the truth. We should have expected this reaction, after our dumpy leader Ate Glue flaunted profligacy in her peripatetic, peregrinating jet setter behavior. Now it seems the Ondoy aid promised by Ambassador Kristie, consisting of military equipment (bulldozers, power shovels, etc. to speed up debris clearance) is withdrawn. So much for VFA bashing. Pulled out too are the U.S. Seabees and medics from Sulu projects, thanks to the hostility shown to the Americans.
Anna, same with my sisters and relatives in Sta. Rosa and Binan, Laguna. Hanggang dibdib pa ‘ata ang tubig lalo na sa parteng Malaban in Binan and Sinalhan in Sta. Rosa.
Hanggang balita na lamang ang source ko dahil hindi ko sila makontak sa cellphone.
Maraming salamat sa napaka-epektibong pamumuno ng administrasyong ito.
Sana, ibinoto din namin si glutonria para naaambunan kami ng biyaya’t pagpapala!
Pwe!
Hi MPR,
I’ve just read the news too… Have they evacuated? Reports say that waters in Sta Rosa are going higher.
I really fervently hope, things will go better for your sisters and relatives. Truly, truly wish they will be safe and sound.
Magno,
Nakapunta ako sa Barangay Malban sa Biñan, juiceko, yung mga nabibiling airbed sa Home TV Shopping Network, dun natutulog yung mga tao sa gabi (nakalutang sa baha!), sa umaga, pambiyahe ng mga bantay-bahay, ipinapasada! Dun sa San Pedro naman yung tinatawag na Fairway (golf course kaya yun?) sa may parteng Barangay Landayan maraming squatters nasa bubong ng bahay, hanggang-leeg ang baha. Merong magagandang bahay lubog hanggang second floor. Hindi na kami nakaabot sa Santa Rosa, kahit limang trak siguro ng relief, kulang pa sa San Pedro at Biñan pa lang.
Para na sigurong mga siyokoy at sirena ‘yung aking mga kamag-anak (sa namayapa ko ng ina) na nakatira sa binahang baybayin ng lawa ng Laguna, mula Sucat, Muntinlupa hanggang Omboy-Wawa, Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
Baka pagkikita namin uli ay may mga buntot na sila at palikpik!
Natawa nga ako dun sa isang bangkero. Tanong niya, “Nasaan na yung mga janitor (fish) na nampeste sa mga palaisdaan? Bakit hindi nila paglinisin ngayon yung mga janitor?” Nyahaha.