Are US drones flying over Zamboanga?

Various theories have been floated in light of the MNLF attacks on Zamboanga City that have made some parts of this southern Philippine city a virtual warzone. Some wager that this is an elaborate diversion of government to deflect attention away from the pork barrel issue - a scam of epic scale that threatens to drag more and more of our elected officials, some of the biggest names in politics, into a quagmire of utter filth.

As of writing, photos of President Aquino and the Napoleses have started to surface (the first one to come out was an Instagram post of her daughter Jeane with PNoy, then a second one of PNoy with Janet herself, and a third one with PNoy, Janet, and other family members). These photos were purportedly taken at a by-invitation-only presidential function at the Shangri-la Resort here in Mactan on Nov. 30, 2012, the same day as the thanksgiving celebration for the canonization of San Pedro Calungsod. Just a few days ago, President Aquino denied ever knowing or meeting Janet Lim- Napoles personally. These photos suggest otherwise.

Of course these photos don't really prove that PNoy was in cahoots with Napoles or that he actually benefited from the syndicate she is accused of masterminding (though some reports say his presidential campaign in 2010 received sizeable donations from Napoles). However, these photos are an indication that there may be some loopholes to the president's version of the story (that he doesn't know her personally). In an interview, the president said something about remembering faces, and that he would know if he's met someone.  He has never met Napoles, the Palace insisted just a few days ago. Suffice it to say, these photos - taken only several months ago - suggest the president wasn't very truthful regarding his claims. This wouldn't be a first, that's for sure.

Back to Zamboanga.  Another theory is this: "The U.S. in its fight against global terrorism has earmarked billions of dollars in 'aid' money aimed at pro-US countries at the forefront of the war against terrorism. By creating something like the crisis we have now in Zamboanga City now---on the 12th anniversary of 9/11---involving pro Al Qaeda groups like the MNLF...the Philippine government, military and even the city of Zamboanga will surely be at the receiving end of huge---I mean HUGE!---U.S. aid to combat global terrorism! NO WONDER then P-Noy, Mar Roxas, Voltair Gazmin, Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar---and even Nur Misuari---are all in this 'conspiracy' to extort hundreds and millions of dollars from Washington," wrote LA-based Zamboangueno and editor of the LA Zamboanga Times, John Shinn III.

Anyhow, whatever the truth is, whether it's as simple as the MNLF fighting for the same tired cause, a diversionary tactic, or a clandestine plan to profit from the US counter-terrorism fund, or what have you, I guess we will never know. There is, however, something that disturbs me where Zamboanga and Mindanao is concerned.

There appears to be not a media blackout, but a filter or selective presentation of news about the crisis in Zamboanga. It may be deliberate or inadvertent, but the news reported nationally, by broadcast and print media, surely doesn't paint a complete picture of what's actually happening down there. We don't have to be distracted and sidetracked as a nation from the pork barrel issue; we only need to compartmentalize and treat both as priorities. It's bothersome that Kris Aquino riding the MRT gets more media attention than the details of the Zambo crisis.

News reports always paint a macro picture: Number of soldiers, number of rebels, number of hostages, casualties. Yet stories from the ground talk about men being shot in the face, women and children being raped.

My source whose father is a Muslim and mother is a Christian is helping his neighbor whose childhood friend was among those who's evacuated - and they confirm that in some homes that were ransacked, all the men were killed and the women were raped. Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco confirms some of the reports in her Facebook page. But these details are not reported in the news.

Another interesting insight I got from my source that's never been reported in the media: US drones purportedly fly over some of the barangays in Zamboanga after curfew (8 p.m.-5 a.m.). This is said to have started last Tuesday, second day of the conflict. I asked if they've seen the drones for themselves but none of them actually have, though they say they hear the distinct noise these remote-controlled planes make hovering over their homes at night (neither fighter plane nor chopper). Still, they insist they are sure these are US drones. My source says those among them who have heard US drones in the Middle East know for sure.

If there are really US drones flying over Philippine skies, what is the implication? Are these drones used as weapons or for intelligence gathering? Does our government know?

At any rate, if there are, it would be nice if these drones, while they're at it, strike all the corrupt government officials, those who pocket our precious tax pesos and those who lie through their teeth, and reduce them to bits!

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