Southeast Asia News 20

The Endangered Rice Terraces of Banaue


Philippines claims to have largely cut Jemaah Islamiyah's terror links with local militants

The Philippines said Tuesday its anti-terror assaults have cut most links between al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah and local militants, and claimed it has purged terror cells from a raging Muslim rebellion in the south.

Officials have bolstered security nationwide and given such assurances to ease terror attack fears following last Thursday's deadly bombing outside the Australian Embassy in Indonesia.

"The past links of the Jemaah Islamiyah in the country are well known and accepted, but these have been largely dismantled through a continuous string of arrests and raids on JI lairs," presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said in a statement.

"Mindanao is no longer a safe refuge of terrorist cells," he said, referring to the southern area where government forces have waged a campaign to dismantle jungle training camps reportedly used by Jemaah Islamiyah. Jemaah Islamiyah remnants were on the run from government forces, Bunye said.

I Guess It's Now Safe for that Exotic Vacation to Basilan, Zamboanga, and Tawi Tawi You've Been Putting Off for Several Years. After All, the Philippine Government Now Claims to have Defeated Jemaah Islamiyah.


"The Amazing Race" comes to the Philippines; officials hope to draw tourists

The Philippines on Tuesday promoted a pair of episodes of "The Amazing Race" that were shot in the country, hoping the American reality TV program will spark tourist interest. The episodes, shot in Manila and the western island of Palawan in February, will be shown locally on the next two Wednesdays.

Energy Secretary Vince Perez, the Cabinet official who is also in charge of development of Palawan, said the government made a marketing effort last year to attract the race.

"We hope this will bring increased tourism interest in the Philippines, and while none of us has seen the actual episodes, we will ... definitely be glued on TV to watch what parts of Manila and Palawan they will be visiting," Perez said.

Did the Defeated Terrorists Get the Press Release on This Event? They Could Have Easily Guaranteed an "Amazing Race," from Puerto Princessa Down to Tawi Tawi in Speedboats.


Philippine Police Round Up Scantily Clad Singing Group

Police rounded up nine scantily clad members of a new singing group known as the D'Bodies after their racy photo shoot on Thursday near a Manila church sparked a traffic jam. The women, most of them topless except for pasties under see-through raincoats, posed for cameramen on the ledge of a fountain in front of the centuries-old Malate Church as scores of onlookers jostled for viewing spots.

They then crossed Roxas Boulevard for more photos on the seawall of Manila Bay followed by the large crowd, halting traffic on one of Manila's busiest streets.

Following in the footsteps of performers like the Viva Hot Babes and Sex Bomb Girls, the group said they were promoting their first album, a collection of songs with such titles as "Kiliti" (Tickle), "Giling, Kendeng, Kembot" (Grind, Gyrate and Sway), and "Talong" (Eggplant).

Police Lt. Vicente Belaro and his men ordered the women off the street and led them to a bus that took them to the traffic bureau. The women were later transferred to police headquarters. "We have to do this. The mayor will get mad if we don't," he said, referring to conservative Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.

Did the Terrorists Hear About this Event? What About the Producers of "The Amazing Race?" And Where Was the Tourist Office?